Protestant Missionary Children's Lives, C.1870-1950: Empire, Religion and Emotion

Protestant missionary children were uniquely 'empire citizens' due to their experiences of living in empire and in religiously formed contexts. This book examines their lives through the related lenses of parental, institutional, and child narratives, using a range of sources including oral history. It argues that missionary children were doubly shaped by parents' concerns and institutional policy responses, while children saw their own lives as both 'ordinary and 'complicated'. Literary representations boosted adult narratives, and empire provided a complex space in which these children navigated their way between the expectations of two, if not three, different cultures.

Format: Hardback
Length: 272 pages
Publication date: 20 February 2024
Publisher: Manchester University Press

Protestant missionary children held a unique status as "empire citizens" due to their experiences of living within the confines of the empire and within religiously structured environments. This captivating book delves into the lives of these children by examining them through the interconnected lenses of parental, institutional, and child narratives. By drawing on a wealth of sources, including oral history, the author aims to shed light on the multifaceted nature of their experiences. The book argues that missionary children were doubly influenced by the concerns of their parents and the policy responses of the institutions they were associated with. Simultaneously, these children perceived their own lives as both ordinary and complex, navigating the intricate web of expectations from two, if not three, distinct cultures. Literary representations played a significant role in shaping adult narratives, amplifying the stories of these children and their experiences. The empire itself provided a complex terrain on which these children navigated, navigating the expectations of multiple cultures within its vast expanse. The focus of this book lies in exploring a diverse range of settings and the early twentieth century, thereby presenting a comprehensive and comparative portrayal of the lives of missionary children.

Weight: 551g
Dimension: 234 x 156 x 16 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781526156785