New Books in Critical Theory Rebecca Ball, "A Hundred English Working-Class Lives, 1900-1945" (Palgrave MacMillan, 2024)
Dec 26, 2024
Rebecca Ball, a history lecturer at Manchester Metropolitan University and author of "A Hundred English Working-Class Lives, 1900-1945," dives into the intricacies of working-class life during a tumultuous era. She explores how personal narratives reveal the impact of the two world wars on everyday experiences. The conversation touches on education inequalities, the emotional struggles of youth, and the interplay of gender roles in the workforce. Ball's insights showcase how microhistory brings individual stories to life while uncovering broader social themes.
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Discovering the Archive
- Rebecca Ball found the first autobiography in a footnote of Rosie Kennedy's book.
- This led her to Brunel University's archive of working-class life histories.
Diverse Childhood Experiences
- Working-class childhoods in the early 20th century were diverse, ranging from extreme poverty to relative comfort.
- Some children had difficult family relationships, while others enjoyed strong bonds.
Nostalgia for Substandard Housing
- Working-class housing was generally poor, especially after World War I, with limited options.
- Despite substandard conditions, autobiographers often expressed nostalgia, linking their homes to innocent childhoods and community.
