“One of the great changes in American life – and one barely noticed at the time – took place early in this century (20th century). There was a radical revision in the concept of boyhood.” “Before about 1915, boyhood was seen by most grown-ups as a state of natural savagery.” ” Boys were little savages, yes… but like Rousseau’s savages, they were also noble.” “And best of all they were free…”
“‘Savage’… derives from Latin silvaticus, ‘pertaining to the woods.” “…all day long, if they could manage it, they were paddling on the river or up tree houses, living happily at the food-gatherer level, as savages do.”
Foreword to The American Boys Handy Book, Centennial Edition, David R Godine, Publisher, Inc, 1983
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