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starter activity She is a “ministering angel”. As her slender form glides quietly along each corridor, every poor fellow’s face softens in gratitude at the sight of her. When all medical officers have retired for the night, she may be observed alone, with a little lamp in her hands, making her solitary rounds. The wounded from the battle-plain,In dreary hospitals of pain, The cheerless corridors, The cold and stony floors. Lo! in that house of miseryA lady with a lamp I see Pass through the glimmering gloom, And flit from room to room. And slow, as in a dream of bliss,The speechless sufferer turns to kiss Her shadow, as it falls Upon the darkening walls. A lady with a lamp shall standIn the great history of the land, A noble type of good, Heroic womanhood. How far are these sources projecting similar images of Florence Nightingale? How close do you think these images come to reality?
Was Florence Nightingale really deserving of her iconic Lady of the Lamp image? To compare evidence of the reputation and reality of Florence Nightingale. To investigate the role and significance of other key figures such as Mary Seacole and why they were given less emphasis than Nightingale.
Your Task • Read the biography and sources on pages 38 -42 about Mary Seacole. • Produce your own factoid on Mary Seacole answering the following questions. • What was her background? • How did she end up in the Crimea? • Why might she have been rejected by Florence Nightingale? • How effective a nurse was she? Give examples of what she did.
Your Task • Vivandière is a French name for women attached to militaryregiments as sutlers or canteen keepers. Their actual historic function of selling wine to the troops and working in canteens led to the adoption of the name 'cantinière' which came to supplant the original ‘vivandière' starting in 1793, but the use of both terms was common in French until the mid-19th century, and ‘vivandière' remained the term of choice in non-French-speaking countries Explain the meaning of the cartoon? Based on your own research do you think Mary Seacole deserved the title British Vivandiere?
Your Task • Mary Seacole clearly suspects in Source L that she wasn’t invited to join Florence Nightingale’s group of Nurses because of colour prejudice. Clearly we can never know the truth. • Look back at page 31 and the ways in which nurses were selected. On balance, do you think it likely that colour had anything to do with Mary Seacole’s rejection? • Read Source M. Do you now have a different view to your answer to the previous question?
Your Task • Study sources N-S on pages 41 & 42. • Produce a diagram to show what Mary Seacole did? • How reliable are the sources as evidence of her work in the Crimea?
How reliable are sources N-S? • N – From Seacole’s own book about her time in the Crimea. Likely to be a truthful account but possibility of some embellishment to sell more copies. • O – Author was a soldier in Crimea, so would have known of Seacole & her actions. Unclear as to whether he actually met her or witnessed her at work. • P – Written by Doctor who saw her at work. No reason why this should be an exaggerated account as he has nothing to gain or lose by telling the truth.
How reliable are sources N-S? • Q – Written by hospital inspector, but no evidence that he met her, his account could be based on reports by patients he interviewed or hear say. • R – William Russell reports, likely to be accurate but must be wary of his over enthusiasm in his reporting of events for the Times. • S - From Seacole’s own book about her time in the Crimea. Likely to be a truthful account but possibility of some embellishment to sell more copies.
Your Task • Study Source T on page 43. • How might the ladies drawn in the sources explain what their motives were in travelling out to watch a war? • Would you agree that unofficial workers in a conflict zone (like Mary Seacole) can do more harm then good?
Homework • Complete the exam task on pages 44 & 45. • “Do you agree with the view that Mary Seacole, and not Florence Nightingale, was the real “angel of mercy” during the Crimean War? • Don’t forget to use the exam tips section when you plan your answer. Nightingale v Seacole
Extension task • Florence Nightingale & Mary Seacole were not the only women involved in the Crimean War. Four wives, for example, were chosen to accompany every regiment. Fanny Duberly was one such woman. • Find out what contribution she made to the war effort.
Plenary • Why does war create myths? • Discuss this in pairs and come up with reasons, and some examples of myths perpetuated by famous wars.
