Cruikshank, The Gin Shop, plate 8
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Cruikshank, The Gin Shop, plate 8
This is the pastor, so noble and kind, Who pitied the woman, with wobegone face, And the husband, the drunkard, in rags and disgrace, Who is served by the lady, all jewels and lace... Illustration no. 8 of 12 by George Cruikshank to The Gin-Shop, a moralistic rhyme warning of the ruin gin can cause. Date: 1868
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Media ID 14156243
© Mary Evans Picture Library
1868 Alcohol Alcoholism Cruikshank Drunk Drunkard Drunkenness Husband Liquor Moralising Pastor Temperance
EDITORS COMMENTS
This image is plate 8 from George Cruikshank's series, "The Gin-Shop," published in 1868. The scene depicts a compassionate pastor, with kind eyes and a gentle expression, consoling a distraught woman and her disheveled husband. The woman's face is etched with worry and sadness, while her husband, in a state of drunkenness, is shown in tattered clothes, a stark reminder of the destructive power of gin. Cruikshank's illustrations were a part of a moralistic rhyme, warning of the ruin that gin, and by extension, alcoholism, could bring. The Victorian era, in which this print was created, was marked by a growing concern over the social and moral implications of drinking, particularly among the working class. The pastor's presence in this scene underscores the religious and moral dimensions of the temperance movement, which sought to curb the consumption of alcohol and its associated social ills. The contrast between the pastor's nobility and the couple's degradation serves to highlight the potential consequences of excessive drinking. The woman, adorned in jewels and lace, adds a layer of complexity to the scene. Her elegant attire and the luxurious surroundings of the gin shop suggest that even those of means were not immune to the destructive power of gin. The presence of children in the background, peering in at the scene, underscores the far-reaching impact of alcoholism on families and communities. This powerful image, with its intricate details and poignant message, offers a glimpse into the social and moral concerns of the 1860s, and serves as a reminder of the enduring impact of alcoholism on individuals and their loved ones.
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