A call above duty: The portrayal of the South Pacific missionary in children's literature, 1800-1935

The aim of this thesis is to examine the portrayal of the South Pacific missionary in children's literature published between 1800 and 1935. It examines how hagiographic literature was used to suggest to young readers that the missionary was both an emissary of Western civilisation and the incarnation of Gospel values. It seeks to document the nexus between contemporary anthropological thought, colonialism and religious beliefs which underpinned the views and values presented to the child reader.