The Galloping Guide to the ABC, or, The Child's Agreeable Introduction to a Knowledge of the Gentlemen of the Alphabet (1830)

This alphabet book and primer, published circa 1830, is more reflective of children's literature that focused on morality, religion, and social obligation, rather than on entertaining and amusing children.This is particularly apparent in the poem on the frontispiece, which states: "He who ne'er learns his A B C, for ever will a blockhead be; But try to learn, be wise, and then you will be lov'd by all good men." This focus on social obligation and moral is indicative of the time in which is was published.

Interestingly, the letter X references Socrates' wife Xantippe, with the text reading "X was Xanthippe, a scold, I declare." Xanthippe is most famous for her argumentative spirit, as well as an unconfirmed anecdote which purports that once Xanthippe was so enraged with her husband that she took a chamberpot and poured it out over Socrates' head, which he accepted with the allegory: “After thunder comes the rain.”

The implication here is that children were expected to have some sort of cultural knowledge of Xanthippe and think of her as a "scold." The terrified, pleading man in the illustration reinfroces the stereotype of the "scold" or "nagging wife." This reference s indicative of the way women were treated and conceptualized at the time.

Socrates, his Wives and Alcibiades, by Reyer van Blommendael

Socrates, his Wives and Alcibiades, by Reyer van Blommendael.

The Galloping Guide to the ABC, or, The Child's Agreeable Introduction to a Knowledge of the Gentlemen of the Alphabet (1830)