For Home, Country, and Race: Constructing Gender, Class, and Englishness in the Elementary School, 1880-1914 (Studies in Gender and History)

The crucial role of compulsory schooling in the fostering of national identities is dynamically demonstrated in Stephen Heathorn's study of the elementary school system in England at the turn of the century. His book analyses how a specific ideal of English national heritage was consciously nurtured by the professionalizing educational establishment of the period. Implicit within this ideal was an ideology that reinforced gender, class, and race distinctions. Heathorn bases his work on extensive primary material, including more than 450 different elementary schoolbooks. He unpacks the potent symbols and narratives of imperial-nationalist social prescriptions and establishes the centrality in the classroom of a racialized notion of Englishness dependent on middle-class assumptions about 'appropriate' class and gender roles. According to Heathorn, these social prescriptions marked a subtle shift from the mid-Victorian liberal discourse of self and moral improvement. This insightful, well-documented study showcases the multifaceted nature of gender history, and explores the intersection of social, political, and cultural factors in the history of schooling and identity construction. The Crucial Role Of Compulsory Schooling In The Fostering Of National Identities Is Demonstrated In Stephen Heathorn's Study Of The English Elementary School System At The Turn Of The Century. His Book Analyses How A Specific Ideal Of English National Heritage Was Consciously Nurtured By The Professionalizing Educational Establishment Of The Period. Implicit Within This Ideal Was An Ideology That Reinforced Gender, Class, And Race Distinctions. Heathorn Bases His Work On Extensive Primary Material, Including More Than 450 Different Elementary Schoolbooks. He Unpacks The Symbols And Narratives Of Imperial-nationalist Social Prescriptions And Establishes The Centrality In The Classroom Of A Racialized Notion Of Englishness Dependent On Middle-class Assumptions About 'appropriate' Class And Gender Roles. According To Heathorn, These Social Prescriptions Marked A Subtle Shift From The Mid-victorian Liberal Discourse Of Self And Moral Improvement. This Study Showcases The Multifaceted Nature Of Gender History, And Explores The Intersection Of Social, Political, And Cultural Factors In The History Of Schooling And Identity Construction.--jacket. Introduction: Reading The Nation -- Elementary School Culture And National Identity -- 1. Citizen Authors And The Language Of Citizenship -- 2. Syntax Of National Identity: The Liberal Master Narrative -- 3. Ethnicity And National Belonging -- 4. Imagining The Racial 'other' Within -- 5. 'the Home Of The Race': The Familial Imaginings Of National Identity In Elementary Schooling -- 6. Narratives And Rituals Of National Belonging -- Conclusion: 'for Home, Country, And Race' -- App. A. Reading-book Requisition And Approval Practices -- App. B. Reading-book Publication Figures For Selected Publishers. Stephen Heathorn. Includes Bibliographical References And Index. CONTENTS PREFACE ACKNOWLEDGMENTS Introduction: Reading the Nation – Elementary School Culture and National Identity 1 Citizen Authors and the Language of Citizenship 2 The Syntax of National Identity: The Liberal Master Narrative 3 Ethnicity and National Belonging 4 Imagining the Racial 'Other' Within 5 'The Home of the Race': The Familial Imaginings of National Identity in Elementary Schooling 6 Narratives and Rituals of National Belonging Conclusion: 'For Home, Country, and Race' APPENDICES A: READING-BOOK REQUISITION AND APPROVAL PRACTICES B: READING-BOOK PUBLICATION FIGURES FOR SELECTED PUBLISHERS C: STATISTICAL BREAKDOWN OF READER SAMPLE USED IN THIS STUDY NOTES SELECT BIBLIOGRAPHY INDEX