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Anti-Poor Law poster
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Anti-Poor Law poster
Anti-Poor Law poster c. 1834 showing the interior of an English workhouse under the new laws Date: c. 1834
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Media ID 7404261
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Laws Poverty Satire Workhouses
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This powerful anti-Poor Law poster, dating back to around 1834, offers a stark and satirical depiction of the interior of an English workhouse under the new laws. The image is a poignant commentary on the harsh realities of poverty and the social upheaval caused by the Poor Law Amendment Act of 1834. The cartoon, which is rich in detail and symbolism, shows a cramped and dimly lit room filled with emaciated and despairing men, women, and children. The workhouse inmates huddle together, their gaunt faces etched with suffering and hopelessness. The central focus of the poster is a large pot of gruel, which represents the meager and monotonous diet that was provided to the inmates of the workhouse. The caption above the pot reads, "One Farthing a Day," emphasizing the meager rations that were given to the poor. The image of the pot is surrounded by various symbols of poverty and hardship, including a broken loom, a shattered spinning wheel, and a pile of firewood. The poster is a powerful indictment of the Poor Laws, which were intended to provide relief to the destitute but often resulted in the separation of families and the forced labor of the able-bodied poor. The satirical tone of the image is evident in the exaggerated and grotesque depiction of the workhouse inmates, as well as the caricatured figure of the workhouse master, who is shown with a cruel and sadistic expression. The anti-Poor Law poster is an important historical document that sheds light on the social and political climate of the time. It is a poignant reminder of the human cost of economic and political policies and the importance of empathy and compassion in addressing issues of poverty and inequality.
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