Orphan texts: Victorians, orphans, culture and empire
In one of the first studies of its kind, Orphan texts seeks to insert the orphan, and the problems its existence poses, in the larger critical areas of the family and childhood in Victorian culture. In doing so, Laura Peters considers certain canonical texts alongside lesser known works from popular culture in order to establish the context in which discourses of orphanhood operated.
The study argues that the prevalence of the orphan figure can be explained by considering the family. The family and all it came to represent – legitimacy, race and national belonging – was in crisis. In order to reaffirm itself the family needed a scapegoat: it found one in the orphan figure. As one who embodied the loss of the family, the orphan figure came to represent a dangerous threat to the family; and the family reaffirmed itself through the expulsion of this threatening difference.
Orphan texts will be of interest to final year undergraduates, postgraduates, academics and those interested in the areas of Victorian literature, Victorian studies, postcolonial studies, history and popular culture.
1113787051
The study argues that the prevalence of the orphan figure can be explained by considering the family. The family and all it came to represent – legitimacy, race and national belonging – was in crisis. In order to reaffirm itself the family needed a scapegoat: it found one in the orphan figure. As one who embodied the loss of the family, the orphan figure came to represent a dangerous threat to the family; and the family reaffirmed itself through the expulsion of this threatening difference.
Orphan texts will be of interest to final year undergraduates, postgraduates, academics and those interested in the areas of Victorian literature, Victorian studies, postcolonial studies, history and popular culture.
Orphan texts: Victorians, orphans, culture and empire
In one of the first studies of its kind, Orphan texts seeks to insert the orphan, and the problems its existence poses, in the larger critical areas of the family and childhood in Victorian culture. In doing so, Laura Peters considers certain canonical texts alongside lesser known works from popular culture in order to establish the context in which discourses of orphanhood operated.
The study argues that the prevalence of the orphan figure can be explained by considering the family. The family and all it came to represent – legitimacy, race and national belonging – was in crisis. In order to reaffirm itself the family needed a scapegoat: it found one in the orphan figure. As one who embodied the loss of the family, the orphan figure came to represent a dangerous threat to the family; and the family reaffirmed itself through the expulsion of this threatening difference.
Orphan texts will be of interest to final year undergraduates, postgraduates, academics and those interested in the areas of Victorian literature, Victorian studies, postcolonial studies, history and popular culture.
The study argues that the prevalence of the orphan figure can be explained by considering the family. The family and all it came to represent – legitimacy, race and national belonging – was in crisis. In order to reaffirm itself the family needed a scapegoat: it found one in the orphan figure. As one who embodied the loss of the family, the orphan figure came to represent a dangerous threat to the family; and the family reaffirmed itself through the expulsion of this threatening difference.
Orphan texts will be of interest to final year undergraduates, postgraduates, academics and those interested in the areas of Victorian literature, Victorian studies, postcolonial studies, history and popular culture.
29.95
In Stock
5
1
Orphan texts: Victorians, orphans, culture and empire
168
Orphan texts: Victorians, orphans, culture and empire
168Paperback(Reprint)
$29.95
29.95
In Stock
Product Details
| ISBN-13: | 9780719090165 |
|---|---|
| Publisher: | Manchester University Press |
| Publication date: | 03/31/2013 |
| Edition description: | Reprint |
| Pages: | 168 |
| Product dimensions: | 5.50(w) x 8.50(h) x 0.70(d) |
About the Author
From the B&N Reads Blog