That Last Waif; or, Social Quarantine by Horace Fletcher
QR code
"That Last Waif; or, Social Quarantine" by Horace Fletcher is a social reform treatise written in the early 20th century. The work advocates for improved care and protection for neglected children, arguing that society must enact a "social quarantine" to shield these vulnerable individuals from harmful environments and influences. The author highlights the tragic fate of a young, neglected child he encounters, illustrating the pressing need for systemic change in how society
treats its least fortunate members. At the start of the book, the narrative unfolds in the context of heightened patriotism during the Spanish-American War, juxtaposing the fervor for distant humanitarian efforts with the dire conditions faced by the neglected children in urban America. Fletcher shares a poignant encounter with a young boy, a "waif," who pleads for mercy from a policeman, revealing the harsh realities of life on the streets. This incident serves as a catalyst for Fletcher’s call to action, highlighting both the societal neglect faced by children and the potential for a comprehensive reform system that could redeem them and shape them into good citizens. Through his observations and arguments, Fletcher critiques the current societal norms and suggests that a collective, organized effort could address the root causes of neglect and crime, rather than merely treating their symptoms. (This is an automatically generated summary.)
Download for free
For your e-reader or reading app — Kindle, Kobo, Apple Books, Calibre etc.
Kindle → Use Send-to-Kindle
Kobo, Nook etc → Transfer via USB
Phone, tablet or computer → Open in a reading app
Other formats & older devices
There may be more files related to this item.
About this eBook
| Author | Fletcher, Horace, 1849-1919 |
|---|---|
| Title | That Last Waif; or, Social Quarantine |
| Credits |
Produced by Mark C. Orton and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at www.pgdp.net (This file was produced from images generously made available by The Internet Archive) |
| Reading Level | Reading ease score: 51.0 (10th to 12th grade). Somewhat difficult to read. |
| Language | English |
| LoC Class | HV: Social sciences: Social pathology, Social and Public Welfare |
| Subject | Child welfare |
| Category | Text |
| eBook-No. | 44997 |
| Release Date | Feb 24, 2014 |
| Last Update | Oct 24, 2024 |
| Copyright | Public domain in the USA. |
| Downloads | 318 downloads in the last 30 days. |
Project Gutenberg eBooks are always free!