Key Points
Historical Representation
- The study assesses how trade books depict the Titanic’s story, including omissions, biases, and misrepresentations, such as the heroic portrayal of certain figures like Captain Smith and “Unsinkable” Molly Brown.
Educational Standards
- Emphasizes the importance of using diverse historical sources beyond textbooks, aligning with Common Core and Illinois Social Science Standards, to foster critical thinking in young learners.
Socioeconomic and Racial Representation
- Findings show that many books omit or oversimplify class distinctions and racial diversity among passengers, often portraying only Caucasian individuals in illustrations.
Accuracy and Myths
- The “unsinkable” myth, lack of lifeboats, and the role of other ships like the Californian and Carpathia are common topics, but they are sometimes presented with inaccuracies or without sufficient context, leading to misunderstandings.
Impact on Teaching Practices
- Suggests that teachers critically select trade books to ensure balanced perspectives, aiding students in analyzing and questioning historical events and developing informed viewpoints.
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Citation:
Charity Huwe (2018) Representation of the Titanic in Children’s Literature, The Keep, Illinois State Univeristy
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