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Beatrix Potter's Naughty Animal Tales

Abstract:: Beatrix Potter's charming animal stories are as popular today as when they were published in the early 1900s, owing largely to Potter's beautiful artwork and the simplicity of her characters and themes. By studying Beatrix Potter's childhood and her artwork, students gain insight into the unusual, solitary world of Victorian childhood and can compare/contrast it with their own world to understand why Potter wrote such simple stories and why she wrote about animals rather than people. Students can also learn the difference between an author and an illustrator and practice some of the same artistic techniques used by Potter to create masterpieces of their own.

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Dickens in Context

Abstract:: These resources will allow you to investigate the key themes of Dickens's novels alongside original source material from the British Library. Literary manuscripts, newspapers, letters, workhouse menus and many more fascinating collection items will help students open up the social, cultural and political context in which Dickens was writing. This website includes performances by Simon Callow and discussions by Professor of English, John Mullan, filmed at the Charles Dickens Museum, London.

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Abstract:: In the first half of the nineteenth century, poor sanitation and health care and inappropriate living conditions meant that the life expectancy of Britain's population was low and three in twenty babies died before their first birthday. Campaigners around the country sought legislation that would save thousands of lives every year. This resource allows you to explore a range of sources from this campaign - from cartoons published in Punch magazine to statistical data gathered by the very first health inspectors. Detailed information about each source is available, as are biographies of the campaign's key figures and a timeline and glossary.

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Abstract:: The Victorian period in Britain was one of huge industrial and technological change, shocking divisions between rich and poor, sensational crimes, spectacular entertainments for the masses, and grand attempts to combat squalor and disease. Discover Victorian life through high-quality images of the posters, pamphlets, diaries, newspapers, political reports and illustrations that the 19th century left behind, now held in the British Library's collections.

Abstract:: 1900 House is PBS' twist on reality television (for example, the popular series Survivor), in which a group of people are put in unusual surroundings and their every move is videotaped. Here we are privy to the life of a family that has volunteered to simulate life in 1900 England for three months. Through their experiences the viewer gains an appreciation for just how much life has changed in the last 100 years. By watching these video clips and completing the activities, students will gain a perspective on and an appreciation for how drastically life has changed in the last 100 years, especially for women.