That Last Waif; or, Social Quarantine

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Fletcher, Horace, 1849-1919

Language:

English

Physical Description:

1 online resource : multiple file formats

Place of Publication:

Salt Lake City, UT : Project Gutenberg,

Summary:

"That Last Waif; or, Social Quarantine" by Horace Fletcher is a social reform treatise written in the early 20th century. The work advocates for improved care and protection for neglected children, arguing that society must enact a "social quarantine" to shield these vulnerable individuals from harmful environments and influences. The author highlights the tragic fate of a young, neglected child he encounters, illustrating the pressing need for systemic change in how society treats its least fortunate members. At the start of the book, the narrative unfolds in the context of heightened patriotism during the Spanish-American War, juxtaposing the fervor for distant humanitarian efforts with the dire conditions faced by the neglected children in urban America. Fletcher shares a poignant encounter with a young boy, a "waif," who pleads for mercy from a policeman, revealing the harsh realities of life on the streets. This incident serves as a catalyst for Fletcher's call to action, highlighting both the societal neglect faced by children and the potential for a comprehensive reform system that could redeem them and shape them into good citizens. Through his observations and arguments, Fletcher critiques the current societal norms and suggests that a collective, organized effort could address the root causes of neglect and crime, rather than merely treating their symptoms. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

Credits:

Produced by Mark C. Orton and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This file was produced from images generously made available by The Internet Archive)

Notes:

Reading ease score: 51.0 (10th to 12th grade). Somewhat difficult to read.

Release date is 2014-02-24