A study on the literary image of athleticism : Tom Brown's schooldays (1857)

Abstract

The purpose of the present paper is to examine the literary image of athleticism. In this paper, "Tom Brown's schooldays" by Thomas Hughes published in 1857 is analyzed. This work may be regarded as educational literature written with didactic intent. This intent of the novelist must be considered in relation to the structure of his novel. By concentrating on the concepts of "manliness" in this work, the main findings are summarized as follows: (1) The author preach to boys readers: to be free from class consciousness,quit themselves like men,learn to box, and find the true friendship in their schoollife. (2) These points are carefully constructed as his narrative plan; Manly exercises and achievements are emphasized in Part One, and manly characters: truthfulness, responsibility,consideration for others; are emphasized in Part Two, by novelist's choice of incidents. (3) Both concepts of "manliness" are attained by Tom through his public schoollife and games serve the important function of developping his character. (4) Behind the teaching moral manliness lay the stress of self-control against sexuality and bodily sensations, which reflects the victorian morality.