The Boy Detective in Early British Childrens Literature

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Focusing on the evolution of the boy detective in British children's literature from the mid-nineteenth to early-twentieth century, this study examines how this character reflects adult anxieties regarding boyhood and masculinity. It analyzes the significance of detective narratives in 'penny dreadfuls' aimed at working-class boys, highlighting their role in shaping societal expectations of boys during a time when their future in the Empire was critical. This work is essential for scholars in children's literature, crime fiction, and popular culture.