London, England
London, England is the hometown of Miss Pryor, governess to Zillah Le Poer. After the death of her father, Miss Pryor needed a source of income to support her and her mother. It was common practice to take up the job of a governess as a woman making her own means, but there was a supply and demand issue--too many governesses and not enough positions. Miss Pryor is sent to a Yorkshire Village with the help of her family friend Mr. Sutherland to help teach a "half-caste" girl he financially supports.
The Half-Caste ~ Related Locations Map
This map will pinpoint the actual locations referenced in the plot of Dinah Mulock Craik's The Half-Caste and that are connected to the issues raised in the novel regarding class, race, colonialism, and the British Empire.
Please add your contribution as you identify important locations in the novel yourself and/or as we collaboratively identify them in our class discussions.
Somnath Temple
The Somnath Temple, a Hindu shrine, was caught in a cycle of violence circa 1800 when The Moonstone by Wilkie Collins was published. The temple suffered several devastating attacks over many centuries. Many Muslim invaders defiled the shrine, most notably Mahmud of Ghazni in 1025-26, Allauddin Khilji in 1296, and Mughal emperor Aurangzeb in 1665. These invasions led to repeated destruction and construction between the Muslims and the Hindus that lasted for centuries.
Rovigo
23. Valperga?
This is my best guess at the location of the castle of Valperga.
"The castle of Valperga was situated on a rock, among the mountains that bound the pass through which the Serchio flows, and commanded the northern entrance to the Lucchese territory" (283).