Our Home and Personal Duty

In the aftermath of the Progressive Era, when America was grappling with rapid urbanization and new forms of citizenship, Jane Eayre Fryer crafted a remarkable instrument of civic formation. This 1918 text uses the Duwell family as a vehicle for instilling foundational civic virtues in young readers: honesty, helpfulness, and respect. Through dramatized narratives and interactive discussions, Fryer systematically teaches what it means to be a good citizen, emphasizing the interdependence of community members and the duties that bind them. The book represents a particular historical moment when educators saw moral and civic instruction as inseparable, when preparing children for democratic participation meant imbuing them with specific character traits. For modern readers, it functions as both historical artifact and window into early 20th century assumptions about family, duty, and community. Those curious about how past generations approached civic education will find this a revealing document.