The Upper Bourgeoisie Education of the Greek Diaspora in Egypt in the Late 19th Century Through Penelope Delta’s (1874-1941) Literature

Abstract

The aim of this study is to understand the education of the upper bourgeoisie in the late 19th century, focusing on the education of the upper bourgeoisie of the Greek diaspora in Alexandria, Egypt. This research evaluates the educational content, practices, purposes, and ideals within this context. This study uses, as research data, the literature work of the author Penelope Delta (1874-1941), daughter of Emmanuel Benakis, a wealthy merchant of the Greek diaspora in Egypt. Her autobiographies and novels describe the education of her family’s children; in the late 19th century, the Greek upper bourgeoisie’s education was primarily a home education. Nurses and governesses, from foreign West European countries, were hired by the families for their children’s education, with the main aim of learning foreign languages. When the children became older, private tutors were of great importance. Female education was continued at home, and male education in private schools, typically in foreign educational institutions. The emphasis for the children’s socialization was on good social behavior and discipline. The findings of this study show that the upper bourgeoisie invested in education in a systematic way. Education, for this leading social elite, was part of its social identity and contributed to its distinction from other social groups.

DOI: 10.5901/mjss.2015.v4n1s1p13