Representaties van de ander

De arbeider en het koloniale subject tijdens de wereldtentoonstelling van 1851

Samenvatting

This research paper aims to compare representations of the British working man with the colonial ‘Other’ in British colonies at the World Exhibition of 1851 in London. The World Exhibition was a moment for Britain to demonstrate its superiority, and partly shaped a national identity. The upcoming British middle class, in need of an identity, reconciliated itself with decency, cleanliness, and moralism. I argue that before 1851 a contrasting discourse applied to the working class as to the colonial subjects equally, who were depicted as foul, perverse, or childlike. The World Exhibition briefly changed this. Initial fears of working class revolts at the Exhibition during Shilling Day faded, when entry fees were decreased to a shilling. Representations during the Great Exhibition highlighted Britishness and alienated all, even Western, foreigners. The Other was foreign and class differences were temporarily overlooked.