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- Coram Boy: themes and context
Coram Boy: themes and context
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The novel brings the eighteenth century's treatment of unwanted children vividly to life.
Context
Thomas Coram, a retired sea captain, founded the Foundling Hospital in London in 1739 to care for abandoned babies.
The composer George Frideric Handel supported the hospital and gave benefit performances of his *Messiah* there.
Britain was heavily involved in the transatlantic slave trade at this time.
The composer George Frideric Handel supported the hospital and gave benefit performances of his *Messiah* there.
Britain was heavily involved in the transatlantic slave trade at this time.
Key themes
Cruelty and kindness: Otis's trade against Meshak's goodness and the hospital's care.
Parents and children: fathers who control (Sir William) or exploit (Otis); mothers who lose their children.
Class: the rich Ashbrooks against the poor Gardiners and abandoned mothers.
Music: a source of beauty and hope.
Slavery: Toby's story.
Parents and children: fathers who control (Sir William) or exploit (Otis); mothers who lose their children.
Class: the rich Ashbrooks against the poor Gardiners and abandoned mothers.
Music: a source of beauty and hope.
Slavery: Toby's story.
Structure
The novel is in two parts, separated by a gap of years: Part 1 follows Alexander and Meshak; Part 2 follows Aaron and Toby.
This lets Gavin show how the choices of one generation affect the next.
This lets Gavin show how the choices of one generation affect the next.
Why does Gavin include Handel and the Foundling Hospital?
- They are real parts of eighteenth-century London.
- They ground the invented story in history.
- Handel also links to the theme of music bringing hope.
Answer: To root the story in real history and link to the theme of music as hope.
Context: Coram founded the Foundling Hospital in 1739; Handel supported it; the slave trade. Themes: cruelty and kindness, parents and children, class, music, slavery. Two-part structure across generations.
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