Eric, or, Little by Little facts for kids
Cover of the 1891 edition
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| Author | Frederic W. Farrar |
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| Illustrator | Gordon Browne |
| Country | England |
| Language | English |
| Genre | Novel |
| Publisher | Adam & Charles Black, Edinburgh and London. |
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Publication date
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1858 |
| Media type | Print (Hardback) |
Eric, or, Little by Little is a classic book written by Frederic W. Farrar, first published in 1858. It was released by Adam & Charles Black in Edinburgh and London. This story is about a boy named Eric who goes to a boarding school in England. The book shows how Eric, despite being a good kid, slowly starts making bad choices and gets into trouble.
Contents
About the Story
The author, Frederic W. Farrar, wrote Eric to teach an important lesson. He wanted to show how a boy, even with a good heart, can get into difficulties and make poor decisions. The book's main goal is to highlight the importance of making good choices and seeking help when needed. Many people felt the book helped them understand these important ideas.
Eric's Journey to School
Eric is the son of a British official living in India. During that time, it was common for children of British families in India to be sent back to Britain for their education. So, Eric travels to England to attend Roslyn School, a type of private school known as a "public school" in the UK. At Roslyn, Eric experiences both the good and challenging parts of school life.
Eric's Challenges and Choices
At school, Eric faces many difficulties. He is sometimes unfairly punished and gets bullied by other students. Over time, he starts to make poor choices, like cheating. These bad decisions lead him down a difficult path. The story shows how Eric slowly loses everything important to him because of these choices.
Impact of the Book
Eric, or, Little by Little was one of the most popular books for boys in Britain during the mid-Victorian era. It was often read alongside other famous school stories like Talbot Baines Reed's The Fifth Form at St. Dominic's and Thomas Hughes' Tom Brown's Schooldays.
The School in the Book
The school in the story, Roslyn School, is based on real places. It's a mix of King William's College in the Isle of Man, where Farrar himself went to school, and Marlborough College, where he later worked as a teacher.
Influence on Names
This book is also known for helping to make the name "Eric" more popular in English-speaking countries. However, not everyone liked the name because of the book. For example, the famous writer George Orwell, whose real name was Eric Arthur Blair, disliked his first name because it reminded him of Farrar's book.
Later Views on the Book
Over the years, Eric became less popular. Some people found its strong religious messages a bit too serious. For instance, in Rudyard Kipling's book Stalky & Co., characters would joke about "Erickin," meaning acting overly serious or moralistic like Eric. The writer E. Nesbit even listed it as one of the children's books that were "impossible to read" because they tried too hard to teach lessons.
Images for kids
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Cover of the 1891 edition
