Religion plays a different role between little boys and little girls. Ellen was constantly being encouraged to rely on God, believe in God, do His will. It was expected of her, just as it is expected for the little girls in 19th century literature to accept God and religion and do no harm or sin.
However, the role of religion with little boys is quite different. Ragged Dick didn’t even know what a bible really was, only that there was a “Bible house” with “a big pile of ‘em” (303). He was not expected to rely on God or believe in God or do His will. Instead he is to be independent and rely on himself in order to be successful in life.
Why is this so different? I mean, when I was young my brother and I were both taught about church, Jesus, God and His love and that we should try our best not to sin? However, I have noticed in recent years that I am expected to be at church with my mom but my brother has a choice as to whether or not he wants to go. Why are the girls taught and demanded to attend church and the boys essentially have the choice? I have always wondered this.
It does not surprise me that Dick did not rely on God or that he did not know what a Bible was, it wasn’t expected in this sort of literature and time period.
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Courtney, I think religion does differ from boys to girls within 19th century literature. There is a vast comparison to the way Gerty sees religion and the way Dick sees religion, or lack there of. This double standard seems present between girls and boys with jobs as well.
ReplyDeleteCourtney-
ReplyDeleteI agree with you on how religion differs greatly between boys and girls. I wrote in my blog that religion has a big influence in the behavior and actions of the little girls in the novels that we have read. We can see an example in Ragged Dick that there is a difference in religion between boys and girls, when he states that he has never read the bible.