Date of Award

5-27-2014

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Arts (MA)

Department

Journalism

First Advisor

Christina Drale

Abstract

When the governor of Arkansas appointed Hattie W. Caraway to the United States Senate in December 1931, she was only the second woman to sit in the chamber. Within the next year, Caraway would become the first woman to be elected and reelected to the Senate. This study analyzes the framing used by the Arkansas Democrat and the Arkansas Gazette from November 1931 to November 1932. Using double binds and the essentialism theory, this historical case study sought to identify how the news coverage described the forces, persons, and narratives that surrounded Caraway along with Caraway herself as she made Arkansas history. During the special election of January 1932, Caraway was positively portrayed as feminine and intelligent. Throughout the campaign tour beside Huey P. Long, she was characterized as a woman who had handled the job competently and would continue to fight for the poor citizens of the state. At various times, the outside elements--including the state's finances, the possibility of a primary or runoff, and the Kingfish from Louisiana--became underlying frames in the coverage of Caraway. Historically, Caraway is portrayed as a silent woman who did not accomplish much, if anything, during her 13-year career in Washington. This research sought to discover how the Democrat and the Gazette reported on Caraway in her own time.

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