An English Childhood of the Victorian Era: Insight into Modern Authors' Writing and Interpretation of Childhood

Deborah RUXOVÁ

Bachelor's thesis

Insights into Modern Authors' Writing and Interpretation of Childhood

The History of Childhood

Abstract:

This thesis will be focusing on modern authors' writings about and interpretations of childhood, primarily in Victorian England in the 18th and 19th century. This thesis aims to demonstrate a different concept of childhood that seeks to answer the question as to whether childhood is real or is just a bottom-line preparation for the real world. It also seeks to describe whether childhood improved with the introduction of different acts and legislation such as the Education Act. The books that were used in this thesis are: Victorian Childhood by Janet Sacks, A Cultural History of Childhood and Family in the Age of Empire by Colin Heywood, and lastly Childhood and Death in Victorian England by Sarah Seaton.

Abstract:

This thesis will be focusing on modern authors' writings about and interpretations of childhood, primarily in Victorian England in the 18th and 19th century. This thesis aims to demonstrate a different concept of childhood that seeks to answer the question as to whether childhood is real or is just a bottom-line preparation for the real world. It also seeks to describe whether childhood improved with the introduction of different acts and legislation such as the Education Act. The books that were used in this thesis are: Victorian Childhood by Janet Sacks, A Cultural History of Childhood and Family in the Age of Empire by Colin Heywood, and lastly Childhood and Death in Victorian England by Sarah Seaton.

Keywords

Childhood, childhood in social classes, childhood in religion, childhood as a social construct, voice of modern authors

Language used: English

Date on which the thesis was submitted / produced: 21. 10. 2022

Accessible from:: 31. 12. 2999

Thesis defence

• Supervisor: Dr. phil. Mark Brandon

JAN EVANGELISTA PURKYNĚ UNIVERSITY IN ÚSTÍ NAD LABEM

Faculty of Education

Bachelor programme / field:
Specialization in Education / AJ VV 14