Tom Brown’s School Days

By Amy Smith, Francesca Bolino, and Chloe Holmes

An Introduction to

genre The book is a

fictional biography aimed at school boys and the upper middle class in the Victorian times.

It is the story of Tom growing up filled with “facts” of his early life and other anecdotes.

Audience

When the book was written Hughes was aiming it at the upper middle class. This is evident because the language is more elaborate, with detailed descriptions and in depth recitals of experiences. Hughes also

pauses to address the reader at times, teaching the morals and ethics believed by the Victorian middle class.

Purpose

The purpose of this book is to educate school boys in the beliefs and teaching of the Victorian upper middle class community.He often addresses the reader and tells them how they should behave, and what values they should hold.

ContentThe book is about Tom Brown, a noble, kind boy, who Hughes believes is the perfect young man.The way Hughes describes the main character and talks to the reader shows how he admires Tom, and tells the reader that all respectable men should behave in this way. He is trying to convey a message of honour and honesty to the reader.

Fin.