Disturbing content<\/em><\/strong><\/h6>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

A retired colonel plays a part in the story. His connection to the military is not seen as inconsistent with a Christian life. Mention is made of his having been \u201cshot in a battle, so his foot had to be cut off.\u201d<\/p>\n

The concept of people or animals dying is mentioned in a number of places, never with offensive detail. The concept of murderers being hung is briefly referenced. Child is afraid that aunt has been killed after a negative experience at the dentist. No one of significance to the story actually does die.<\/p>\n

An allegory is told, in which some of the incidents might be disturbing to sensitive children. These include travellers being forever lost, a child rescuing a bird with a broken wing that had been mistreated and stoned, and several mentions of blood.\u00a0 Death is represented as an angel carrying the pilgrim away to his Father\u2019s house, but still causing grief to his companions.<\/p>\n

Angry cook almost throws knife-block (i.e., a block used for sharpening, NOT the knife itself!) at children.<\/p>\n

Heroine gets lost after forgetting her mother\u2019s instructions and chasing her dog down the street. She has not had specific training on what to do if she is lost and speaks to several strangers during the course of her adventures (as well as in later chapters). Nursemaid mentions abducted children being beaten and frightened so that they did not dare to tell where they belonged. The concept that policemen are safe people to trust when you are lost is prominently illustrated.<\/p>\n

Dog is stolen by street boys, he is believed to be entirely lost, but returns home safely at last. His mistreatment is alluded to in general terms, and there is mention of his mouth bleeding and the hair rubbed from his neck in his efforts to escape from his rope.<\/p>\n

Poor child is represented with \u201cfeatures all pinched with cold and hunger.\u201d<\/p>\n

\n
1. \n

   Language<\/em><\/strong><\/h6>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

   The word \u201cheathen\u201d is used in such a way as to give the impression that it pertains solely to the unconverted inhabitants of India.<\/p>\n

   A number of words are used with a slightly different connotation than they have today such as: \u201cpet\u201d as a term of endearment, \u201cpetting\u201d as making much of someone, \u201cstupid\u201d as boring, \u201cmean\u201d as stingy or dishonourable, \u201cgay\u201d as happy, \u201cplagues\u201d as annoyances, \u201cintimate\u201d as inseparable friends, \u201csavagely\u201d as angrily, \u201cabused\u201d as minorly mistreated, and \u201ccunning\u201d as adorable.<\/p>\n

   \u201cMidget\u201d is used as a nickname for Margaret.<\/p>\n

   The phrase \u201cAsk me no questions and I\u2019ll tell you no lies\u201d is presumed to be familiar to the reader.<\/p>\n

   The expression \u201cignoramuses\u201d is used, although frowned on by heroines.<\/p>\n

   The expression \u201clittle devils\u201d is used in the heroines\u2019 hearing. They are excessively shocked and consider it swearing, although the adults are amused at the extent of their horror.<\/p>\n

   The phrase \u201cMiss Nancy\u201d is used in reference to a disagreeable boy.<\/p>\n

   The expressions \u201cdeaf, dumb, and blind\u201d and \u201chump backed\u201d are used, but not derogatorily. A mocking child calls this latter character \u201cold hipperty hop,\u201d and this is clearly portrayed as unkind.<\/p>\n

   The expression \u201cthank God\u201d is used to add force to a statement\u2014based on the author\u2019s other works, I would not say that any irreverence was intended.<\/p>\n

   The narrative contains two expressions which would be racial slurs in today\u2019s world. The individuals referred to are also represented as speaking with a dialect. I do not feel that the author intended the stigmatism which would be implied by these incidents in a modern writer and they could be easily omitted in reading this story aloud.<\/p>\n

   \n
   1. \n

      Alcohol and drug use (includes tobacco)<\/em><\/strong><\/h6>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

      No issues.<\/p>\n

      \n
      1. \n

         Spiritual content<\/em><\/strong><\/h6>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

         The story is written from an Evangelical perspective, but the content would be appropriate to a wide range of spiritual backgrounds. Children are portrayed as sincerely following Christ at an early age, but child evangelism does not play a role in the story.<\/p>\n

         The phrase \u201cmake believe\u201d is used to denote exaggeration or deception.<\/p>\n

         The concept of righteous justice sometimes boarders on personal indignation.<\/p>\n

         Temptation is described as an \u201cevil spirit.\u201d<\/p>\n

         A Christmas tree and Santa Claus are both included in the celebration of Christmas. Santa Claus is clearly portrayed as a fictitious individual, but the concept of pretending he exists is seen as inoffensive. The legend of Santa Claus, and the fact that his is portrayed as a \u201cchild angel\u201d in some cultures, is discussed. In this particular family, the stocking presents are more jokes than anything else. Teasing one another in this way is carried a little further than might be considered kind in some families.<\/p>\n

         \n
         1. \n

            Family roles and behavior<\/em><\/strong><\/h6>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

            Several times throughout the story, sister declares that things that are an inconvenience (such as the multiplication-table) were invented on purpose to annoy her and\/or wishes for retribution on the person responsible.<\/p>\n

            Title of \u201cgrandpapa\u201d is given to a family friend\u2014this leads to a little confusion in the course of the story, as there appear to be three sets of grandparents.<\/p>\n

            Friends and relations kiss each other in greeting or from affection more freely than is commonly practiced today\u2014this custom is unconnected with romance.<\/p>\n

            A visiting family is depicted as having a blindly affectionate and rather affected mother, and a deceitful, badly-behaved son, who eventually steels the heroine\u2019s money and lies about it. He is caught, and does not evince any real remorse. The other children display both anger and shock at his conduct.<\/p>\n

            Nurse is teased by schoolboys, who she is nonetheless very fond of. She is also described as \u201cold and fat.\u201d<\/p>\n

            \n
            1. \n

               Mature subject matter<\/em><\/strong><\/h6>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

               Due to the difference in safety precautions between the 1860\u2019s and today, as well as the author\u2019s enjoyment of children\u2019s precocious comments and na\u00efve mistakes, I would suggest that this is a book best suited to children who are mature enough not to copy all the incidents described.<\/p>\n

               Reading Bessie in the City<\/em><\/strong><\/h5>\n

               The heroines of Bessie in the City<\/em> are little girls. For that reason, I have noted the many issues which might be problematic to readers in the 6+ age-range. In my opinion, Bessie is a heroine who can be enjoyed by a much wider audience than she was originally created for. She is a darling little girl, with a darling little story that deserves far great publicity than in has enjoyed for over a century.<\/p>\n

               If you are looking for other loveable vintage stories, see our review:<\/p>\n

               \u00a0<\/a>
               \n<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

               Some people say that the greatest test of a children\u2019s story is whether or not adults enjoy reading it. Bessie in the City by Joanna H. Mathews is certainly a… <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":4453,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[32],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-4388","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-book-reviews"],"yoast_head":"\n