In every novel that we have read and discussed so far, there has been a stranger that has been a large influence on the children and how they were brought up. In “The Wide, Wide World” we see Mrs. Fortune with Ellen. In “The Lamplighter” we see Trueman Flint literally save Gerty’s life from Nan Grant and ultimately dying. And finally, in “The Hidden Hand”, we see Major Warfield or “Old Hurricane” bring Capitola to his home and we also see Mrs. Rocke be a mother to Herbert Grayson.
I think a large part of children’s literature in the 19th century was to show children that there can be rough times in life but it is not the end of the world. Capitola’s parents died and she was sleeping on the streets eating one muffin a day trying to survive. She got so desperate that one morning she had to wake up and dress as a boy in order to get a job that paid a quarter a day. After Old Hurricane heard the story of Capitola’s life from the old nurse, Capitola went to New York to find Capitola. As he got there, he coincidentally ran into Cap and saved her from going to a Juvenile Delinquent facility.
Herbert Grayson is another example of someone that was cared for by someone other than his blood related mother or father. A poor widow, Mrs. Rocke, brought him up and her son, Traverse. Herbert’s mother passed away when he was young and Mrs. Rocke took care of him for ten years until he grew old enough to realize the situation and became embarrassed and ran away.
Throughout many of these books from the 19th century, we see the reoccurring theme of darkness in a child’s life followed by a stranger saving a child and showing them that life can be good and happy. I can not imagine living in the shoes of Capitola, Herbert, or Gerty. Reading the beginning of all of these novels were extremely depressing and finally they all find light from a stranger that loves and cares for them!
I like how you tied all three novels together with the help that was received for the children where it seemed like it just couldn't get worse. I also like how you throw yourself in there by stating that you couldn't imagine yourself living in their shoes. It gives a whole new meaning to what the author's are working to portray! Great job!
ReplyDeleteI also thought it was interesting how strangers are always helping children in these stories. One thing I remember we discussed in class that might tie into this theme of strangers is how the authors were probably trying to portray how children should be the responsibility of society and not just the parents. Parents aren't always going to be there and they might even leave their children earlier than expected, so if society is there to help, such as the strangers in the stories, then children don't have to be worried about what is going to happen to them.
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