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12-Year-Old's Pursuit of Education in 19th-Century Athens
Lena Divani's "Amalia" book series follows a 12-year-old girl's ambition to become a teacher in 19th-century Athens, contrasting her struggles with the life of Queen Amalia, and illustrating the social and economic challenges of the time.
- What societal barriers and opportunities for girls are revealed through Amalia's pursuit of education in 19th-century Athens?
- Amalia", a new children's book series by Lena Divani, follows 12-year-old Amalia's journey in 19th-century Athens. The first book depicts Amalia's graduation ceremony and a meeting with Queen Amalia, highlighting the stark class differences of the era. The series portrays Amalia's ambition to become a teacher despite her family's poverty and societal barriers.
- How does the contrast between Amalia's life and that of Queen Amalia illuminate the social and economic conditions of the time?
- The series uses Amalia's pursuit of education to illustrate the limited opportunities for girls from lower social classes in 19th-century Greece. Amalia's resilience against poverty and gender inequality underscores the broader societal challenges faced by women in the newly formed Greek state. The inclusion of Queen Amalia adds a historical dimension, contrasting Amalia's struggles with the privileged life of royalty.
- What are the long-term impacts of Amalia's story on readers' understanding of 19th-century Greece and the roles of women in society?
- The books offer a unique perspective on 19th-century Greece, exploring themes of class disparity, gender inequality, and the challenges of a newly formed nation. Amalia's story highlights the systemic obstacles faced by girls seeking education, while simultaneously portraying the perseverance and determination required to overcome them. This perspective provides a valuable lens through which to view the historical context.
Cognitive Concepts
Framing Bias
The narrative frames Amalia's story positively, emphasizing her determination and resilience in the face of adversity. While this is a natural choice for a children's book, it could be argued that a more balanced portrayal of the difficulties might be beneficial for certain readers. The focus on Amalia's success could potentially overshadow the systemic inequalities she faces.
Bias by Omission
The text focuses on Amalia's journey and doesn't delve into the broader socio-political context of 19th-century Athens beyond what's relevant to her story. While this is understandable given the target audience and scope of the children's books, a more comprehensive historical backdrop might benefit older readers. Omission of details regarding the political climate or other social issues beyond Amalia's immediate experiences may limit a reader's complete understanding of the time period.
Gender Bias
The story highlights Amalia's perseverance despite gendered societal expectations. While Amalia's ambition challenges gender roles, there's no explicit discussion of broader gender inequality in 19th-century Greece. The text does not show bias against men. The narrative avoids gender stereotypes.
Sustainable Development Goals
The story highlights a young girl's perseverance in pursuing education despite significant socioeconomic barriers, aligning with SDG 4 (Quality Education) which aims to ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all. The narrative underscores the challenges faced by girls from disadvantaged backgrounds in accessing education, even in a historical context, and celebrates the achievement of a young girl obtaining a diploma and pursuing her dream of becoming a teacher.