William Morris, artist and socialist with heart and soul, tried to persuade people of the socialist ideas which should bring them better living conditions. In his opinion education is the right way to achieve this aim. Therefore, he gave lectures and speeches, helped to found the Social Democratic Federation and the Socialist League and wrote articles, among others for the League’s Newspaper Commonweal. There, Morris’s News from Nowhere, a utopia, was first published as a serial novel. It is probably the most obvious representation of his convictions concerning education. He emphasises how life could look like in Communism and which advantages it could bring with it. It is stressed how political enlightenment of the society contributes tremendously to achieve the intended form of government. In his novel, Morris clearly points out his wishes and aims and thereby allows his fellow men an insight into a better, a socialistic coined world. As socialism needs supporter for its genesis, Morris has been fighting for the creation of those through proper education by all available means during his lifetime.
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- Introduction
- William Morris – biographical abstract
- Living conditions and education in the 19th century
- Views on an educative society
- Education under the capitalistic system
- Education towards Revolution
- Education issue in “News from Nowhere”
- Summary of the plot
- “News from Nowhere” as a book supporting political education
- The education aspect in Morris's vision of the future
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This paper explores the intertwined themes of socialism and education, focusing on William Morris's role as a socialist educator advocating for revolutionary change against the capitalist system. It examines his ideas within the historical context of the 1870s to 1890s, analyzing his views on education's role in achieving societal transformation.
- Socialism and its relationship to education
- William Morris's life and views on education
- Education in 19th-century England
- The role of education in revolutionary change
- Analysis of the educational aspects in Morris's "News from Nowhere"
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
Introduction: This chapter sets the stage, discussing the importance of education during the Industrial Revolution and introducing William Morris as a key figure in English socialism. It outlines the paper's structure and objectives.
William Morris – biographical abstract: This section provides a concise biography of William Morris, highlighting his early life, education, and diverse talents. It emphasizes his early exposure to books and his later aversion to formal schooling, setting the context for his educational philosophy.
Living conditions and education in the 19th century: This chapter explores the social and educational landscape of 19th-century England, contrasting capitalist and socialist perspectives on education's role in society.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
William Morris, socialism, education, 19th-century England, News from Nowhere, political education, revolutionary change, capitalist system, utopian literature.
- Arbeit zitieren
- Susann Dannhauer (Autor:in), 2009, William Morris - Socialist Educator, München, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/187258
