F.H. Burnett has written a selection of books that each approach the theme of poverty and wealth from a different angle. Many of her characters’ lives include periods of extreme wealth and happiness as well as times of social and financial deprivation. Also, the characters deal with the death of someone important in their family. Using these schemas (which are somewhat autobiographical) Burnett portrays the realities of class in 19th century Britain.
Her books are useful for understanding how British society was structured and how the classes treated one another. She shows the wretchedness of the many people (and children) who lived in dire poverty. However, her books are engaging and loveable because whilst showing the desperation of the lower class, Burnett also successfully portrays the dignity, humanity and joys of the poor. Her characters are always very human.
A parallel theme in her books is how kindness can work miracles. Her books are full of hope, kindness and respect for people. They contain a lot of light amidst the bleakness of difficult realities. In this particular book a little girl with a wealthy happy childhood becomes impoverished. We see how the people who had treated her as a valuable person turn and treat her with cruelty and disdain. Throughout her trial, we see the little girl’s commitment to preserving her humanity and magnanimity.
The book discusses what it means to be ‘truly aristocratic’. It is not about having wealth or being from the right family; but it is about having a generous and loving heart, integrity and a courageous spirit. It all turns out well in the end for the loveable child of course. It is a happy story, though it takes the reader through many sombre themes. Compared to Burnett’s other works for children, we find here a more clear portrayal of the harshness of poverty; social injustice; and the cruelty and hypocrisy that humans are capable of. Like all her books, I find the psychology of her characters to be truthful.
Burnett is an excellent writer for introducing such difficult themes to children - because she carries them in a joyful way. Her books are a pleasure to read.
