|
Overview
Immigrant
Roots
The
Doll Hospital
Career Beginnings
The
Alexander Doll Company
A
Shrewd Businesswoman
Expecting
the Best
An
Innovative Designer
Milestone
Creations
Doll
Philosophy
Gender
and Dolls
"The
First Lady of Dolls"
A
Generous Philanthropist
Later
Years
Legacy
Timeline
Bibliography
Artifacts
Alphabetically
Artifacts
Sorted by Source
|
|
|
Doll
Philosophy
|
|
Alexander believed strongly that, more than
simple playthings, dolls were tools that could
stimulate children's minds, emotions, and
imaginations.
"Dolls," she said, "should contribute to a
child's understanding of people, other times and
other places. Dolls should develop an appreciation
of art and literature in a child." They could
also help children learn how to relate to
others.
|
|
source
|
full
image
|
source
|
full
image
|
|
With these goals in mind, Alexander chose her
subjects carefully. As a child, she herself had
often escaped the drabness of everyday life by
immersing herself in poetry and novels, and she
returned to literature in search of characters she
believed could act as effective teaching
tools.
History, the arts, fashion, and the cultures of the
world also provided her with inspiration. From
Romeo and Juliet to Cinderella, southern belles to
Chinese children, outrageous flappers to demure
ladies, Alexander's creations delighted young and
old alike.
|
|
source
|
full
image
|
|
Wanting the child to remain the active
participant in play, Alexander avoided gimmicks and
mechanical devices in her dolls. "I never do
mechanical dolls," she said. "I don't make
dolls that dance, walk or talk. I think that the
child is the one who should be inspired to do
things with the doll. Dolls can bring out the
creative instincts in children."
|
How to Cite This Page
For a bibliography:
Jewish Women's Archive. "JWA - Beatrice Alexander - Doll Philosophy." <http://jwa.org/exhibits/wov/alexander/philosophy.html>.
For a footnote:
Jewish Women's Archive, "JWA - Beatrice Alexander - Doll Philosophy," <http://jwa.org/exhibits/wov/alexander/philosophy.html>.
|
