I've thought about this question since I saw it, and I think I have my answer.donnie wrote: ↑Mon Jul 02, 2018 10:46 pmHow do you think children of that day reacted to something like that in general? I know that’s a ridiculous question, as there’s no way to know, but I’m just interested in your opinion since you a lot of familiarity with these kinds of stories. Would you imagine they were scared out of their wits and kept firmly in place? Or maybe took them less seriously because they were used to hearing tales like this? Or what?
I think that it depended on the age, innocence, and adults around the child to answer that question. I don't think children were very different then than they are now.
I think little children would definitely be scared of these stories, up to about maybe 10 years old. Of course, it probably depends on the way the story is written. More heavy handed tones (like the one we read in the book you gave me called Nothing To Wear) probably had more effect, while sillier literature may have a lesser effect. If the child is more sheltered or sensitive, it may have scared them even later than 10.
I think that unknown figures may have creeped kids out. Superstition-based stories probably scared children more than others. For instance, if a child knew the town tailor personally, they wouldn't think there was a danger of them cutting their fingers off. (The opposite if they didn't know him!) Gremlins or goblins (gobble-uns!) are much scarier than people, as the element of the unknown is there.
The children who had adults around them that used these stories actively as a basis for reason to obey probably would be more scared up to a certain age. On the other hand, if they had a parent who taught them from an early age what is real and what is fantasy (which I think is important especially nowadays) it probably had zero fear effect. In fact, if they had that background, I think they may be more cultured individuals when they are older.
Really, it seems to be mostly books from the mid 1800s that have grim stories as the above. In the late 1800s, there are many reality type stories where they are talking directly to the reader. There will be a picture of a homeless child and the writer will ask, "Isn't she a pitiful thing? Aren't you glad you have a nice home to live in?" and things of that nature. There is one story I have that is called Freddie's Death Song that deals with a sick boy who ends up dying.
I think as time went on, children's stories started learning toward happy fantasy and animal tales instead of cold reality. Maybe writers somewhere along the line thought children couldn't handle it? I think they can, if it's done right.
In all, to answer your question, I think it depends on the child and their surroundings as to whether they were terrified or not.