Kids in 1886

Stijn Hommes · Feb 14, 2010

I need a scene in which two brothers (aged 10 and 12) from Milwaukee, Wisconsin get into a heated argument. The usual reasons boys get into fights in more recent times (money, girls, computer games) don't seem to apply.

What would kids in those times fight over?

DeleyanLee · Feb 14, 2010

Chores--and who's not doing their share.

Stijn Hommes · Feb 14, 2010

That's a good one, but probably doesn't attract the emotion I need.
To be precise, I want the argument to end with the older brother saying "I wish I didn't have a brother." or "I wish you would just disappear."
What kind of toys did they have back then? Could the younger brother break his bike for instance? Did kids get an allowance or were kids from the towns expected to work at that age?

alleycat · Feb 14, 2010

I agree with DelayanLee; that's the most obvious one.

Also, an argument from some sort of game (baseball was around then).

One writing something on the school blackboard about the other ("Billy kissed Henrietta under the apple tree").

One lying about something, and the other one knowing about it.

One being mean to the horse.

One drinking their father's beer, or smoking his cigars.

And, I believe boys took an interest in girls, even back then . . . else many of use wouldn't be here. ;-)

citymouse · Feb 14, 2010

Privacy, tattling--a 12yo is bound to be feeling puberty coming on

tagging along, parents taking a sympathetic posture toward the young one who only wants to be included. Sharing a bedroom or bed.
C

alleycat · Feb 14, 2010

Oh, here's one my brother and I gave into when we were kids. We had a large storage barn with three sections. My brother locked me in one of the sections one hot summer day. When he finally let me out, I chased him with a pitchfork. I would have used it too if I could have caught him.

Come to think of it, I could give you hundreds of examples from my own life. My brother and I fought constantly.

Stijn Hommes · Feb 14, 2010

Those are some great suggestions. I think I can do something with that. Thanks.

alleycat said:
back then . . . else many of use wouldn't be here. ;-)

Yes, I know, but if I've got the time period right, it wasn't something that was discussed much...

Fern · Feb 14, 2010

My grandmother was born in 1884. I've heard her talk about wishing so badly she could go to school, but couldn't because they moved a lot. Many others were only allowed to go after crops were in, etc. Town kids would probably have been more likely to attend school normally, but even then, if the family needed money, they may have been expected to work. Receiving new clothing would have been a special occasion for most - maybe one brother ruined the others new shirt where he couldn't wear it on the first day of school or special school event.

Wayne K · Feb 14, 2010

The civil war was a hot topic still

Stijn Hommes · Feb 14, 2010

Fern, you hit the nail on the head. My characters aren't very rich so the whole new clothing things fits like a charm. There are no school events, but since I want to start the story at big brother's birthday, it makes sense.

IceCreamEmpress · Feb 14, 2010

If you have time to do some supplementary reading, let me recommend Penrod by Booth Tarkington, which depicts the life of a young Midwestern boy in the 1880s.

abctriplets · Feb 14, 2010

Stijn Hommes said:
Fern, you hit the nail on the hit. My characters aren't very rich so the whole new clothing things fits like a charm. There are no school events, but since I want to start the story at big brother's birthday, it makes sense.

Go for a dumb brother prank, like throwing an egg at him or something. The type of thing that'd piss him off, but would make him go postal in a unique situation (such as if he was wearing his new shirt at the time).

frimble3 · Feb 15, 2010

He gets something special for his birthday, maybe something 'grown-up' and his mother smilingly declares that he will, of course, share with his brother. Or, the younger brother sneaks it, tries it out and breaks or loses it. No money to replace it, so sad, too bad, and good ol' mom, once again, says it was just an accident, little brother didn't mean to do it. Older siblings know in their bones that the younger ones always do these things on purpose.

DrZoidberg · Feb 15, 2010

Stijn Hommes said:
I need a scene in which two brothers (aged 10 and 12) from Milwaukee, Wisconsin get into a heated argument. The usual reasons boys get into fights in more recent times (money, girls, ~~computer~~ games) ~~don't~~ seem to apply.

What would kids in those times fight over?

I fixed it.

Kids in 1886

Stijn Hommes

Know what you write...

DeleyanLee

Writing Anarchist

Stijn Hommes

Know what you write...

alleycat

Still around

citymouse

fantasy dweller

alleycat

Still around

Stijn Hommes

Know what you write...

Fern

practical experience, FTW

Wayne K

Stijn Hommes

Know what you write...

IceCreamEmpress

Hapless Virago

abctriplets

frimble3

Heckuva good sport

DrZoidberg

aka TomOfSweden