Contemporary Renderings of Typhoid Mary

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After reading the prologue and introduction of Typhoid Mary, I chose to read to Chapter 7,” Misbegotten Mary.” My rationale for choosing this chapter stems from my interest in the contemporary interpretations and cultural persistence of the Titanic in Down with the Old Canoe. This section was my favorite in Down with the Old Canoe and I was interested in how “Typhoid Mary” evolved in meaning and how it had appeared in popular culture since the early 1900’s. Like the Titanic, “Typhoid Mary” still maintains a metaphorical and epithetical role in our modern vernacular. This is what makes this section a useful read for me.

Leavitt begins this chapter by outlining two, distinct periods of “Typhoid Mary” usage: the first is before the advent of HIV/AIDS and the second is after HIV/AIDS. The depictions of Mary Mallon immediately after death revolve around whether or not she was cognizant of her actions. There is a prevailing notion at the time that Mary Mallon is an “innocent killer” or did not understand the carrier state. Portraying Mary as an unknowing killer helped further the belief in the strength of modern science. These scientists used Mary’s ignorance and their successful diagnosis and isolation of Mary to boost their belief in the power of the emerging field of modern science.

The period from the 1980’s to the present sought to infuse Mary’s story with sadness, connect with new diseases, and comprehend Mary’s actions and position (214).  This increase in sensitivity painted Mary as an “unknowing mass murderer ” (218) and begged the question of whether or not Mary should be forgiven. Additionally, the emergence and spread of HIV/AIDS made “Typhoid Mary” a relevant figure again. A central theme from artistic renderings of Mary from this period is the exploration of how the past shapes the present and how the present shapes the past. Our understanding of the past and present shapes our interpretations of events, and the AIDS/Typhoid Mary subject provides an interesting forum for discussing how these two interpretations intersect.

I think the issue of public health vs. civil liberties that AJ brings up is particularly compelling. I think the question that he raises about how much of an importance we place on public health will be a stimulating discussion topic in class tomorrow. Overall, this subject provides a fascinating debate topic. I would like to add my belief that this issue (civil liberties vs. public health) fits into a much larger debate taking place in America right about how much privacy/liberty we are willing to give up in the name of security/public health. I think the discussion of Mary Mallon applies itself to this larger debate.