Museum Writing and Ethical Selection in Victorian Children’s Literature

Abstract This research examines the representation of museums in Victorian children’s literature, focusing on how these works reflect the scientific and ideological institutionalization of museums and their use as tools for shaping children’s ethical choices. Museums, in these narratives, are depicted not only as venues for the collection and display of objects but also as spaces for scientific and ideological education. Moreover, they serve as critical sites for children’s ethical decision-making. The study also explores how writers like Charles Kingsley, Edith Nesbit, and Rudyard Kipling critique values such as scientism and colonialism in their museum writing, highlighting the ethical role of literature in guiding children towards moral development. 1