School patriotic display

Detailed image

Patriotic displays were popular during the early 20th century. The themes of imperialism and militarism are strongly represented in this tableau posed by students at Stratford School. The boys of the junior cadets form a defensive line to protect Britannia and the girls from an imagined enemy. Schools reinforced the commonly held view that education should teach strength and virtue through discipline, obedience, self-sacrifice, patriotism and the importance of fulfilling one’s duty as a citizen of the British Empire.