Death and the Boogeyman
Abstract
The paper explores some interfaces between the history of raising children
and the history of taking care of the dead. The study is based on extensive
autobiographical material from rural Norway covering the decades before and after the
year 1900. First some forms of punishments and threats that were used against children
are presented. Then the children’s involvement in the care for the dying and the dead is
explored. Finally I discuss how changes in the care for the dying would lead to changes
in the contents of punishments as being thrown out the door or thrown down the cellar
and threats with various sorts of boogeymen.
Keywords
death, children, fear, boogeyman.