Nineteenth-century Activity Guidelines
Compose a 1-2-page letter (handwritten or typed) in which you imagine yourself as an Irish man or woman who has migrated to some part of the British Empire (not the United States!) during last decade of the eighteenth century or during the nineteenth century. You are writing to someone "back home." What year is it? Who are you and where are you from? Why did you leave Ireland? Did you receive some form of emigration assistance? What have been your experiences in the empire? What have you encountered?
Provide a bibliography listing the primary and secondary sources you used to compose the letter.
Assignment variation (for extra participation credit): Choose a partner and work on the assignment together. One person is in the empire, the other is back home. One of the letters will be written in response to the other. NB: If you want to do this with a partner, but don't know anyone in class, just let me know.
We will read as many letters as possible in class.
Helpful sources:
Ruth-Ann M. Harris, "'Come you all courageously': Irish women in America write home," Eire-Ireland: Journal of Irish Studies (Spring Summer 2001)
Elizabeth Webby, Colonial Voices: Letters, Diaries, Journalism and other Accounts of Nineteenth-century Australia
-available from the instructor
David Fitzpatrick, Oceans of Consolation: Personal Accounts of Irish Migration to Australia
-on reserve at Library West
Kerby Miller, Emigrants and Exiles: Ireland and the Irish Exodus to North America
-on reserve at Library West