LE3 .A278 1998

1998

Thomas, John

Acadia University

Bachelor of Arts

Honours

History

History & Classics

This thesis examines an important element of student culture of Acadia University between 1885 and 1920. Using The Acadia Athenaeum as its primary source, this thesis argues that Acadia University sought to cultivate in its students the values and beliefs that would transform them from young men into Christian gentlemen. This thesis reveals that young men at Acadia University learned chivalry, manners, honor, and respect from the model of the Christian gentleman. Gentlemanliness was also influenced by evangelicalism, which profoundly shaped student culture at Acadia. The British Empire had reached the apex of its power and influence during the period under investigation, and Acadia students respected its greatness. Students integrated British-Canadian modes of behaviour into the model of Christian gentlemanliness. One of the most important beliefs of the British Canadians was the "vertical mosaic", which ranked the nationalities and races of the world in a way that justified the self-styled racial superiority of British Canadians, which Acadia students embraced.

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https://scholar.acadiau.ca/islandora/object/theses:3506