During my time developing my blog, I have found that the content of the blog, is as equally important as the style that it is written, as throughout I have tried to make my blogs as engaging and interesting as possible, without making them overtly complex or tedious to read. I thought that the most…
Criminal Minds: Deception, or true untainted souls?
Have you ever considered the reasons why convicts were driven to a life of crime, or how being imprisoned in a penitentiary, had an impact on the mindfulness of prisoners? In this research blog, I will explore the significant factors behind the behaviour of convicts, and how through strict rehabilitation they were expected to be…
Oliver Twist: Can Nancy’s tragic life, give Oliver hope of a better life?
Who is Nancy in Oliver Twist, and how is her backstory relevant to Oliver? Charles Dickens initially introduces Nancy as a young woman, who has been brought up as part of Fagin’s gang, and is a common criminal. From a young age she has been subjected to a life of crime, in which she has had to…
On Trial: The portrait of a true convict.
Have you ever wondered what exactly occurs during a trial proceeding? Well, I am going to allow you a rare insight into a case that was put to trial in 1787, concerning two brothers, Joseph and Robert Jenks, who were indicted for feloniously stealing, on the 13th of February, eight dog skins, worth approximately 30 shillings, the property…
The Secret River: Can we sympathise with both sides? Are they all victims?
‘The Secret River’ by Kate Grenville, allows an interesting interpretation into the colonisation of Australia, and how the invasion of the new land, created many tensions between the native aborigine people and the transported convicts from England. What influenced Kate Grenville to write, ‘The Secret River’? Grenville was aware that her ancestry traced back to an individual, Solomon Wiseman, who…
Convict Love Tokens: Do they channel the voice of the convicted?
Was there an alternative punishment to execution for petty crimes? Did Transportation have a positive effect on criminals? Here is a little bit of background into the current situation of Britain’s prisons- During the 18th and 19th century, London prisons were facing a crisis, due to overcrowding, and the sheer amount of people who were being prosecuted,…
Public Executions: A social event?
Were Public Executions really engaging to all members of society? Did the display of horror turn peoples stomach? Well it certainly turned mine. In reality public executions really were a public event. Over the course of the 18th century, executions were held up to eight times a year at Tyburn, close to the present- day position…
Moll Flanders: Does it leave a lasting impression on the working class?
A significant and ground-breaking novel in the 18th century is Moll Flanders written by Daniel Defoe. The term, ‘Moll’ was a renowned term, since it was another word to describe a prostitute. During the 18th century, prostitution for many working-class women was the only way of surviving and providing for their families, as many working-class women…
Secrets Behind Bars 