Imagine you are a working-class child growing up in the 1830s. Your family needs your wages to make ends meet. Which of the following three jobs would you rather do, and why?
Choice A: Factory work
Choice B: Coal mining
Choice C: Chimney sweep
It’s very easy to enter: just type letter A, B or C, AND a very brief reason for your choice into the ‘comments’ section below. Or you can send me a direct message (DM) via Twitter @SueWilkesauthor. The answer which I find most interesting will win a free signed copy of my book.
The competition ends at mid-day on Wednesday 14 March 2012. Good luck!
12 comments:
My choice would have to be "A" on the basis of it being fractionally less likely you'd die at work!
Thanks for dropping by, Nigel. Sound reasoning!
Definitely 'A', was going to say same as Nigel. Also, less likely to get the belt for coming home dirty and ruining one's only shirt.
Hi Jacqueline! No-one fancies being a coal miner or chimney sweep so far!
My choice would be "B" because I'd be able to "collect" some excess coal and take it home to keep the family warm.
Hello, Neil! You and other family members down the mine would have had a coal allowance as part of your wages.
I'd sootily weep
As a chimney sweep,
And darkly whine
Down the coal-black mine.
A factory kid I'd rather be,
Contributing to our GNP!
That's a great rhyme, Jacqueline!
A. I'd rather work in the factory as I don't like the dark or feeling too confined, and I think the other two would make me feel that way. Plus I think I'd be able to breathe *slightly* better in a factory. :o)
Hello Danika! I don't think I would have liked climbing narrow chimneys or crawling along a narrow seam down the mine, either.
That's a really sobering list of alternatives! I know that some factories were pretty dire and you could lose fingers or worse quite easily but I'd still choose A because B & C would be even worse...
Hi Juliet! You're quite right - there was always the danger of getting caught in the machinery.
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