Imperialism and manliness in Edwardian boys’ novels

Abstract

After 1870 mass education and the rise of mass literacy began to create a huge market for juvenile literature in the industrial world in the form of weekly papers and novels. Sales in the tens of millions were realized by some authors. By the early twentieth century this market had matured, gendered, segmented, and regionalized. British boys’ juvenile novels from such authors as Henty stressed the link between manliness, sports, communal and Christian responsibility and empire. The empire was the dominant site of individual social advancement. Sexuality was to be deferred until marriage. American juveniles from such authors as Stratemeyer stressed manliness, individuality, teamwork, the Anglo-Saxon compact and technology. Technology was the dominant site of individual social advancement. With the Spanish-American War American boys’ juveniles started to teach that, contrary to America’s past stand against imperialism, America had a moral right to become an imperial power and should learn such behaviour from Britain. From 1898 to 1912 American juveniles taught that, as Britain declined, America was shifting from the junior to the senior partner in the Anglo-Saxon compact.