Being locked away, with promises of getting released, Elizabeth Packard seeks to speak the truth that the asylum walls hide. The Woman They Could Not Silence by Kate Moore is based on a true story about Elizabeth Packard, who lived during the 1860s.
Packard was a strong feminist activist who fought asylum laws. Back then, women with voices were considered insane and were punished. In fact, asylums contained more women than men. Some women were put into an asylum by their husbands, which is what happened to Elizabeth. Her husband managed to convince a few men to sign a petition declaring Elizabeth’s insanity.
Throughout the story, Elizabeth meets many people, including new acquaintances, vile people who desire to keep her quiet, and troubled women within the asylum walls. Although she faces many challenges, she holds true to herself and her beliefs. She even goes out of her way to share her views with the trapped women within the asylum.
For students struggling to find an AP book to read, look no further. “ AP language is a biography, non-fiction memoir, or creative nonfiction,” Mrs.Couling our AP Lang teacher explains. “The Woman They Could Not Silence is considered an AP language selection.”
If you are into reading about a strong feminist who fights for women’s rights, history empowered by a woman, or injustice being put in its place, then this book is right for you. If you want to see an interview with the author about the book, here is a link.
