Lee Smith's Novel On Agate HillMariah Snow wrote, "We lose our names as we lose our youth, our beauty, and our lives" (163). This quote from Lee Smith's novel On Agate Hill says a lot about Mariah and her life. She had always been treated as a "second citizen", as most women were during that time, since men held the power in most relationships, as well as in society at large, Mariah felt as though she had often been mistreated but I couldn't even speak. When women get married they give up their surname, as if to symbolize that their individuality has completely disappeared. In Mariah's case, once married to Dr. Snow, she lost her name; once he had children he lost his youth; and she no longer felt beautiful because the stress of life was starting to take its toll, and in reality she didn't love herself at all. Mariah gave up her ability to make decisions for herself. Mariah did not want Molly to attend Gatewood Academy, but Dr. Snow made the choice for her. “But now – NOW, how dare you call me Principal and at the same time refuse to grant me the right to participate in even such a fundamental decision as this? I am truly his Servant, NOT his Partner, whether he owns it or not. Dr. Snow basically does nothing but read, while I work my fingers to the bone, yet I have nothing to say on any subject, he determines everything according to his whim even if he understands nothing, I repeat NOTHING about the administration of this Academy or some other" (147). She also gave up the right to name her daughter and let her husband name her after someone she didn't even remotely like. "...I will call her Susannah in hopes that she will have a happier spirit and a lighter heart than her mother...At last Dr. Snow came to see the child, he named her Frances Theodosia, for her mother, that I hated my whole being” (163). The burdens of our sex are heavy” (163). She has also given up the right she has to her own body, unable to control when, where or how often sexual acts are performed..