A Response of Dorothea: a possible clue of the heroine's transformation

‘That is a dreadful imprisonment,’ said Will, impetuously.

‘No, don’t think that,’ said Dorothea. ‘I have no longings.’

He did not speak, but she replied to some change in his expression. ‘I mean, for myself. Except that I should like not to have so much more than my share without doing anything for others. But I have a belief of my own, and it comforts me.’

Dorothea's response: a possible clue to the heroine's transformation

‘That is a dreadful imprisonment,’ said Will, impetuously.

‘No, don’t think that,’ said Dorothea. ‘I have no longings.’

He did not speak, but she replied to some change in his expression. ‘I mean, for myself. Except that I should like not to have so much more than my share without doing anything for others. But I have a belief of my own, and it comforts me.’

Rhondda Valley, Wales

As the Industrial Revolution engulfed much of the U.K. durin the 19th Century, coal mining was also at its peak in Wales. Around 1850, Wales was most famous for the rich coalminding industry in Rhondda Valley, located in southern Wales. A great portion of workers who were working in these coal mines were children as young as 10 years old. While the Industrial Revolution was in full swing, so was the increase of chid labor. Many employers found it easier and significantly cheaper to hire and have children participate in the work in these tight, crammped, close-knit spaces in the mines.

Subscribe to