Warehouse Stock Clearance Sale

Grab a bargain today!


Sign Up for Fishpond's Best Deals Delivered to You Every Day
Go
Do Penance or Perish
Magdalen Asylums in Ireland

Rating
1 Rating |
Already own it? Write a review
Format
Paperback, 284 pages
Published
USA, 1 April 2004

Frances Finnegan traces the development of Ireland's Magdalen Asylums--homes that were founded in the mid-nineteenth century for the detention of prostitutes undergoing reform. The inmates of these asylums were discouraged-and many forcibly prevented-from leaving and sometimes were detained

for life. Put to work without pay in adjoining laundries, these women were subject to penance, harsh discipline, enforced silence, and prayer. Their hair was cropped, and they were made to wear drab and shapeless clothing. Forbidden to mention their past lives, their children taken away, the inmates

themselves were referred to as children and forced to address the nuns as "Mother." As the numbers of prostitutes began to dwindle, the church looked elsewhere for this free labor, targeting other "fallen" women such as unwed mothers and wayward or abused girls. Some were incarcerated simply for

being "too beautiful," and therefore in danger of sin. Others were mentally retarded. Most of them were brought to the asylums by their families or priests. Unbelievably, the last of these asylums was closed only in 1996. Drawing on previously unpublished material, Finnegan presents case histories

of individual women and their experiences in Magdalen homes, which claimed some 30,000 women in all. She looks at the social consequences of such a system, and ponders how it was able to survive into the late twentieth century, right through the feminist campaign for women's rights. Do Penance or

Perish is the first study of this shameful episode in Irish history.

Show more

Our Price
£27.64
Elsewhere
£39.99
Save £12.35 (31%)
Ships from Australia Estimated delivery date: 14th Apr - 22nd Apr from Australia
Free Shipping Worldwide

Product Description

Frances Finnegan traces the development of Ireland's Magdalen Asylums--homes that were founded in the mid-nineteenth century for the detention of prostitutes undergoing reform. The inmates of these asylums were discouraged-and many forcibly prevented-from leaving and sometimes were detained

for life. Put to work without pay in adjoining laundries, these women were subject to penance, harsh discipline, enforced silence, and prayer. Their hair was cropped, and they were made to wear drab and shapeless clothing. Forbidden to mention their past lives, their children taken away, the inmates

themselves were referred to as children and forced to address the nuns as "Mother." As the numbers of prostitutes began to dwindle, the church looked elsewhere for this free labor, targeting other "fallen" women such as unwed mothers and wayward or abused girls. Some were incarcerated simply for

being "too beautiful," and therefore in danger of sin. Others were mentally retarded. Most of them were brought to the asylums by their families or priests. Unbelievably, the last of these asylums was closed only in 1996. Drawing on previously unpublished material, Finnegan presents case histories

of individual women and their experiences in Magdalen homes, which claimed some 30,000 women in all. She looks at the social consequences of such a system, and ponders how it was able to survive into the late twentieth century, right through the feminist campaign for women's rights. Do Penance or

Perish is the first study of this shameful episode in Irish history.

Show more
Product Details
EAN
9780195174601
ISBN
0195174607
Other Information
Illustrated
Dimensions
24.1 x 15.4 x 2.1 centimeters (0.40 kg)

Reviews

"She provides valuable information about the nature of Magdalen asylum system in Ireland." --History: Review of Books
"The definitive account of the Magdalen Asylums..." --The Guardian
"Frances Finnegan's pioneering works on poverty and prostitution in Victorian Britain are classics, and so is this beautifully-produced book, the eagerly-awaited fruit of two decades' research. This is what social history should be... This excellent book represents a coming of age for Irish women's history... This is 'nasty' women's history; as feminist historians we will have to find a way of understanding (without excusing) women who perpetrated and
perpetuated cruelty and inhumanity." --Women's Studies
"There is much fascinating detail, prompting questions about class, power, and religion... Frances Finnegan, provocatively sympathetic to her subject, has written a book that ascribes significance to lives that were carefully hidden" --Saothar, the Journal of the Irish Labour History Society

Customer Reviews
5 out of 5 | From 1 Customer Ratings

Top Customer Reviews
All reviews
1
5 Stars
1
4 Stars
0
3 Stars
0
2 Stars
0
1 Star
0
Top Customer Reviews
Sort by
By Sue on July 20, 2006
Easy to read book, didnt want to put it down. Sad life for these young woman. thank goodness these places have now been closed.
Was this review helpful? Yes   No
Write a review
Ask a Question About this Product More...
 
Look for similar items by category
Item ships from and is sold by Fishpond Retail Limited.

Back to top
We use essential and some optional cookies to provide you the best shopping experience. Visit our cookies policy page for more information.