Meaning: This quote by Eleanor Roosevelt, the former First Lady of the United States, provides insight into the expectations and behavior imposed on political wives during campaign events. The quote reflects the traditional gender roles and societal expectations prevalent during Eleanor Roosevelt's time, which highlighted the secondary and supportive role of women in the public sphere, specifically within the context of political campaigns.

Throughout history, the role of the First Lady has been subject to public scrutiny and expectation, often overshadowing their personal agency and individuality. The quote encapsulates the prevailing attitudes towards women in politics and the prescribed behavior expected of political wives in supporting their husbands' campaigns. It serves as a poignant reminder of the gender norms that have historically shaped the public perception and treatment of women in positions of political influence.

Eleanor Roosevelt's own experience as First Lady during her husband Franklin D. Roosevelt's presidency from 1933 to 1945 was marked by her active engagement in social and political issues, challenging the traditional role of the First Lady as a mere ceremonial figure. Despite this, the quote reflects the prevailing societal expectations and gender roles that Eleanor Roosevelt herself may have had to navigate and reconcile with during her time in the public eye.

The first directive in the quote, "Always be on time," underscores the emphasis on punctuality as a manifestation of discipline and adherence to societal norms. This expectation of punctuality for wives during campaign events reflects the broader societal expectation for women to uphold traditional values of reliability and orderliness, reinforcing the notion of women as caretakers of domestic and social harmony.

The second directive, "Do as little talking as humanly possible," highlights the expectation for political wives to maintain a passive and subdued presence, thereby prioritizing their husband's public image and voice over their own. This directive reflects the historically limited agency afforded to women in the public sphere, where their role was often confined to a supportive and non-intrusive capacity, with minimal space for independent expression or contribution.

The third directive, "Lean back in the parade car so everybody can see the president," further exemplifies the prescribed role of political wives as secondary figures, whose primary function is to enhance the visibility and prominence of their husbands. This expectation reinforces the traditional gender dynamics that place women in a subservient and complementary position to their spouses, prioritizing the public image and visibility of the male political figure.

Eleanor Roosevelt's attribution of these directives to "campaign behavior for wives" underscores the specific context of political campaigning, where the public portrayal of marital dynamics and gender roles becomes heightened. The quote serves as a reflection of the societal expectations placed upon political wives to conform to traditional gender norms and to prioritize their husband's public image and visibility over their own agency and individuality.

In conclusion, Eleanor Roosevelt's quote encapsulates the gendered expectations and societal norms imposed on political wives during campaign events. It reflects the historical gender dynamics and traditional roles that have shaped the public perception and treatment of women in positions of political influence. While Eleanor Roosevelt herself challenged many of these norms during her time as First Lady, this quote serves as a poignant reminder of the enduring gendered expectations and limitations imposed on women in the realm of politics.