Smitten: Sex, Gender, and the Contest for Souls in the Second Great Awakening

Rodney Hessinger's book "Smitten" explores how the Second Great Awakening disrupted gender norms and led to religious competition, resulting in sexual and gender disruption. Preachers used charismatic allure and concessions to court converts, leading to radical dispensations and a pan-Protestant rejection of religious enthusiasm.

Format: Hardback
Length: 228 pages
Publication date: 15 December 2022
Publisher: Cornell University Press

In his book "Smitten: How the Second Great Awakening Shook Up Gender and Religion in America," Rodney Hessinger delves into the profound ways in which the Second Great Awakening disrupted gender norms across a diverse range of denominations. The displacement and internal migration of Americans fostered an environment ripe for religious competition in the North. According to Hessinger, during this period of religious ferment, individuals seeking religious fulfillment had the opportunity to adopt the roles of missionaries or converts. The interplay of religious rivalry inevitably led to significant disruptions in sexual and gender norms. Preachers, operating within an increasingly democratic religious marketplace, found it essential to attract converts by appealing to their charisma and accommodating their desires. Some religious visionaries even ventured into radical dispensations, offering new visions of how God desired them to reorder sex and gender relations in society. A multitude of churches, including Methodists, Baptists, Mormons, Shakers, Catholics, and Perfectionists, joined the fray, contributing to the vibrant tapestry of religious expression during this time.

However, the pursuit of religious innovation and contention also sparked backlash. Accusations of seduction and gender trouble erupted within, among, and against churches, leading to intense debates and conflicts. Religious opponents argued that the newly converted were more swayed by the charismatic allure of preachers than by rational deliberation and biblical interpretation when choosing a church. These criticisms coalesced into a broader pan-Protestant rejection of religious enthusiasm, casting doubt on the legitimacy and authenticity of religious experiences.

Through his comprehensive analysis, "Smitten" sheds light on the sexual disruptions that occurred during the Second Great Awakening and the subsequent domestication of religion in response to these challenges. Hessinger's book provides a valuable insight into the complex interplay between religion, gender, and social change during this pivotal period in American history.

Weight: 454g
Dimension: 229 x 152 x 24 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781501766473