Child Labor In The 1800s
In the 1800's the production Industry developed on an extensive scale and the mechanization of industry resulted in the abuse of children who were forced to work in terrible conditions in factories, mines and mills. The poor treatment of young employees brought attention to the issue of child labor. The sources above are a few examples of the severity of working conditions for children in the 1800's. Although they all discuss or represent child labor, the pictures offer a different view of the issue than the letter does. The first picture, at first glance, seems innocent, but if examined closely the boys expresion speaks a thousand words. The second picture tells less of a story about the subject of the snapshot, but it exposes a snippet of the working conditions of the time. The letter from the girl to her father gives examples of the brutality that children in the production industry faced. Each source above offers a different outlook on the 1800's, and the
…show more content…
issue of child labor. The eyes are the window to the soul, and so are the facial expressions of people. The human mind translates plainly onto the face, and in that way others can understand how you feel. In the first picture provided above a man stands over a young boy as he works. The picture appears seemingly normal until you look at the boys face. The pure exhaustion, anguish, and pain reflect to the camera plain as day. The boys eyes are swollen, and represent the the long hours that are demanded of him. His clothes, unkept and old, show the low wages that he is paid for his efforts. When one observes the difference between the man’s clothes and the boys it is obvious which one of the two got the better end of the deal. In this case, the number of hours. The boys defeated expression tells a story all its own, and anyone who should ignore it clearly isn't looking.
The second picture provided as a reference shows more than just a girl standing in her work place. The young girl is dressed similarly to the boy in the first picture. Her dress is stained, old, and doesn't fit her small body. The picture is about more than how the young lady is dressed, it gives an observer a perspective on what it might have been like to work in such a place. The picture shows the little girl standing in a long alley way of machines, and it gives an onlooker an idea of just how small these children were. Child laborers employed very young people, and this photo shows just how they were forced into an adults world. The work place around the girl shows a cramped, and unclean area of work. It serves as evidence of the terrible working conditions these children were put in. The second picture gives people a new perspective on what the 1800's looked like. The final piece of the puzzle is the letter, provided above, written from a young girl to her father as an update on her life as a laborer.
The girls letter presents an insider's view of the child labor issue. She describes several incidents that result in the death or serious injury of children that work with her. The young girl attempts to reassure her father by writing that she is lucky enough not to be burdened with the hard labor. Her letter opens a door for outsiders to see into the harsh reality that many children lived in during that time. It also offers a view on what family life was like in the 1800's. Here is a young girl writing to her father as she works long hours to contribute to the family. She also informs her father that the work at that particular factory is good work, and that her younger sister should join her. The things that these kids had to endure is unthinkable. The letter of the young girl gives its readers an idea of what life was like for the children caught up in an adults
world. The sources above differ in their own ways, and yet all support one theme. The child labor issue of the 1800's was harsh, and unforgiving. It took childhood away from many young people. It also took their health, youth, and spirit. The boy in the first picture supports a stance that shows defeat. The young girl in the second picture represents the big world that these kids were thrown into. The letter written to the father of a little girl gives its readers a glimpse of just how devastating the work, and working conditions were for these small children. The 1800's were a tough time to be alive, and it demanded everyone pitch in. Yet the issue stole many things from the youth, and left a scare on our country.
issue of child labor. The eyes are the window to the soul, and so are the facial expressions of people. The human mind translates plainly onto the face, and in that way others can understand how you feel. In the first picture provided above a man stands over a young boy as he works. The picture appears seemingly normal until you look at the boys face. The pure exhaustion, anguish, and pain reflect to the camera plain as day. The boys eyes are swollen, and represent the the long hours that are demanded of him. His clothes, unkept and old, show the low wages that he is paid for his efforts. When one observes the difference between the man’s clothes and the boys it is obvious which one of the two got the better end of the deal. In this case, the number of hours. The boys defeated expression tells a story all its own, and anyone who should ignore it clearly isn't looking.
The second picture provided as a reference shows more than just a girl standing in her work place. The young girl is dressed similarly to the boy in the first picture. Her dress is stained, old, and doesn't fit her small body. The picture is about more than how the young lady is dressed, it gives an observer a perspective on what it might have been like to work in such a place. The picture shows the little girl standing in a long alley way of machines, and it gives an onlooker an idea of just how small these children were. Child laborers employed very young people, and this photo shows just how they were forced into an adults world. The work place around the girl shows a cramped, and unclean area of work. It serves as evidence of the terrible working conditions these children were put in. The second picture gives people a new perspective on what the 1800's looked like. The final piece of the puzzle is the letter, provided above, written from a young girl to her father as an update on her life as a laborer.
The girls letter presents an insider's view of the child labor issue. She describes several incidents that result in the death or serious injury of children that work with her. The young girl attempts to reassure her father by writing that she is lucky enough not to be burdened with the hard labor. Her letter opens a door for outsiders to see into the harsh reality that many children lived in during that time. It also offers a view on what family life was like in the 1800's. Here is a young girl writing to her father as she works long hours to contribute to the family. She also informs her father that the work at that particular factory is good work, and that her younger sister should join her. The things that these kids had to endure is unthinkable. The letter of the young girl gives its readers an idea of what life was like for the children caught up in an adults
world. The sources above differ in their own ways, and yet all support one theme. The child labor issue of the 1800's was harsh, and unforgiving. It took childhood away from many young people. It also took their health, youth, and spirit. The boy in the first picture supports a stance that shows defeat. The young girl in the second picture represents the big world that these kids were thrown into. The letter written to the father of a little girl gives its readers a glimpse of just how devastating the work, and working conditions were for these small children. The 1800's were a tough time to be alive, and it demanded everyone pitch in. Yet the issue stole many things from the youth, and left a scare on our country.