NPR Interview Analysis
Laurel Thatcher Ulrich, expert historian about Mormon women living in 19th century Utah, shares her knowledge and perceptions about polygamy on "Fresh Air" hosted by Terry Gross.
Throughout the interview, it can be seen that Gross was well researched the topic of polygamy and Ulrich.
Gross references Ulrich's work, famous women suffragists such as Susan B. Anthony and more.
Ulrich describes polygamy or plural marriage as "an incubator of female activism."
Polygamy gave women choices, created communities of women, and strengthened bonds according to Ulrich.
Gross' questions seemed very natural and kept the conversation moving forward.
"Were there women who chose plural marriage because they didn't really care to have sexual relations? Were the women in plural marriages because they were really lesbians and could maybe be secretly intimate with other women in the marriages?" asks Gross.
The multitude of prompts provided Ulrich with an opportunity to give detailed, relevant information.
Ulrich answers bluntly and states people did not talk about sex in the 19th-century, but further explains herself.
"So in order to understand sexuality in the 19th century, you have to look in other places, look at the consequences - when were babies born, how many babies were there, and also to look at the kind of advice literature that they read, not necessarily published by Mormons, but by certain very conservative writers in the 19th century," said Ulrich.
Polygamy can be a controversial topic, but Gross managed to keep the conversation to Ulrich's analysis of polygamy rather than their opinions.
It was only at the end of the interview that Gross asked for her opinion regarding Mormonism as a whole.
The key learning points from this interview are learning how to structure questions to fit the conversation and how to make the interviewee feel comfortable enough to share information.
Throughout the interview, it can be seen that Gross was well researched the topic of polygamy and Ulrich.
Gross references Ulrich's work, famous women suffragists such as Susan B. Anthony and more.
Ulrich describes polygamy or plural marriage as "an incubator of female activism."
Polygamy gave women choices, created communities of women, and strengthened bonds according to Ulrich.
Gross' questions seemed very natural and kept the conversation moving forward.
"Were there women who chose plural marriage because they didn't really care to have sexual relations? Were the women in plural marriages because they were really lesbians and could maybe be secretly intimate with other women in the marriages?" asks Gross.
The multitude of prompts provided Ulrich with an opportunity to give detailed, relevant information.
Ulrich answers bluntly and states people did not talk about sex in the 19th-century, but further explains herself.
"So in order to understand sexuality in the 19th century, you have to look in other places, look at the consequences - when were babies born, how many babies were there, and also to look at the kind of advice literature that they read, not necessarily published by Mormons, but by certain very conservative writers in the 19th century," said Ulrich.
Polygamy can be a controversial topic, but Gross managed to keep the conversation to Ulrich's analysis of polygamy rather than their opinions.
It was only at the end of the interview that Gross asked for her opinion regarding Mormonism as a whole.
The key learning points from this interview are learning how to structure questions to fit the conversation and how to make the interviewee feel comfortable enough to share information.
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