A Child of the Jago (ePub)

Arthur Morrison (1863-1945) was an influential English author and journalist, best known for his realistic portrayals of London's East End and his contribution to the late Victorian and Edwardian literature. Born in the slums of Poplar, London, Morrison drew from his firsthand experiences of urban poverty to depict the grim realities of life for the lower classes. His seminal novel, 'A Child of the Jago' (1896), is a stark representation of life in the Old Nichol, a notorious slum area of the East End. The book's unflinching look at the brutal conditions faced by those living there marked a significant moment in the transition from the romanticized depictions of the poor in earlier Victorian literature to a more unvarnished, naturalistic approach. Morrison's literary style is marked by detailed characterization and a narrative approach that foregrounds the social environment's impact on individual lives. This approach aligns him with other social realist writers of the period who sought to raise awareness and encourage social reform by laying bare the harsh conditions faced by the working class. In addition to 'A Child of the Jago,' Morrison wrote detective stories featuring the character Martin Hewitt, also significantly contributing to the genre of crime fiction. Despite his success, Morrison's works have often been overshadowed by his contemporaries. Nevertheless, scholars continue to study his novels for their sociological insight and literary merit, affirming his place in the canon of English literature.