Description
This thesis examines the response to and representation of refugee mothers during times of revolution and war by their host countries in order to provide insight into current migrant crises and the damaging effects of ignorance and bigotry towards diverse groups of distressed people. I reveal these damaging effects by examining two time periods of unrest and comparing the use of literature, poetry, articles, social media, and art to represent the struggles of refugee women. The French Revolution during the late 18th century and the reaction of the British to French refugees is examined primarily through the works of William Wordsworth. Additionally, the works of Mary Wollstonecraft, Robert Southey, Ann Yearsley and Charlotte Smith are examined. The Great Syrian Migration of the early 21st century and the reaction of U.S. to Syrian refugees are examined primarily through stories of Syrian women within books, social media such as Facebook and twitter, and news articles. This thesis discovers that compared to the representation and generous treatment of the British towards French refugees during the late 18th century, the United States does not live up to modern standards of empathy and diverse understanding of cultures in relation to the humanitarian struggles of Syrian refugee mothers.
