"Pennsylvania Dutch," and other essays

"Pennsylvania Dutch" by Phebe Earle Gibbons is a collection of essays that paints a portrait of the Pennsylvania Dutch community through the eyes of an observer living among them in the late 1800s. Gibbons starts by sharing her experiences living in Lancaster County, where she gets to know the Pennsylvania Dutch people and their interesting customs. She focuses on explaining their special German dialect, a mix of old German and English that makes them unique. Beyond language, Gibbons describes their strong religious beliefs, including a visit to a Mennonite meeting, offering a look at their spiritual life and how it shapes their community. The early essays establish how Gibbons intends to weave together personal stories and reflections, to show a detailed picture of Pennsylvania Dutch life, from farming and festivals to just how they interact with each other day to day.