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The Sunday Question, 1869. Artist: John Tenniel
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The Sunday Question, 1869. Artist: John Tenniel
The Sunday Question, 1869. The drinking habits of the working classes was always a cause for concern amongst their social superiors. A number of attempts had been made to close public houses on Sundays and, in this cartoon, Punch shows a typical Sunday public house. A drunkard stands unsteadily at the bar and his wife has arrived to persuade him to come home. It was believed that many women turned to drink simply because they had to enter public houses to retrieve their husbands. In the other picture, a family enjoys an improving day at a museum. The wife and daughter listen attentively as the man of the house points out of objects of interest and the little boy gazes in wonder at some object not visible to the viewer. Respectability oozes from this family. From Punch, or the London Charivari, April 17, 1869
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Media ID 14831198
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Contrast Drinking Drunk Drunkenness Family Life Heritage Image Partnership Husband Interest John Tenniel Persuasion Public House Shawl Sir John Tenniel Social Class Sunday Tavern Tenniel Top Hat Tray Umbrella Wife Working Class
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The Sunday Question, 1869
EDITORS COMMENTS
by John Tenniel captures the stark contrast between the drinking habits of the working classes and the respectable behavior expected by their social superiors. In this thought-provoking cartoon from Punch, a typical Sunday public house is depicted. A drunken man stands unsteadily at the bar while his concerned wife arrives to persuade him to come home. It was widely believed that women turned to drink simply because they had to enter these establishments in search of their husbands. In striking juxtaposition, another picture portrays a family enjoying an enlightening day at a museum. The husband proudly points out objects of interest while his attentive wife and daughter listen intently. Meanwhile, a curious little boy gazes in wonderment at something unseen by viewers. This illustration exudes respectability as it contrasts two very different aspects of Victorian society - one consumed by alcohol-induced chaos and another focused on intellectual pursuits and family values. Through satire and engraving techniques, John Tenniel masterfully highlights societal concerns surrounding alcoholism, gender roles, and class divisions prevalent during the 19th century in Britain. This black-and-white print serves as a poignant reminder of how social norms can shape individual behaviors within different strata of society. Heritage Image Partnership presents this image for historical appreciation purposes only; it should not be used for commercial gain or promotion without proper authorization from relevant parties involved.
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