Visual Representation and National Identity in the Elementary Schoolbooks of Imperial Germany
Katharine D. Kennedy
The examination of illustrated texts from reading books used in the elementary schools different regions recently unified Imperial Germany demonstrates both interplay between pictures and creating meaning persistence common images themes. From ABC‐books for youngest pupils, to moralizing stones older ones, history geography units more advanced persist cozy homes, surrounded by beauties nature populated caring parents, especially mothers. In numerous readers, these become metaphors cast familiar terms distant topics like national monuments or reigning monarchs. Children saw envisioned nation through lens their own regional landscapes, landmarks, histories. persistent language image Heimat served reconcile local, regional, identities promoted attachment larger homeland.
Paedagogica Historica