Often (but not always) in literature, a novel will reflect the morals of its time. That's definitely the case in The Boxcar Children, which draws the line between right and wrong in the same way many Americans would have in the 1920s. On the "good" list: going to bed on time, not being competitive, and helping others. On the "bad" list: greediness, working on Sundays, and lying. We see the good behaviors modeled by most of the characters in the story. All of the Alden children and their friends are selfless, putting the welfare and happiness of others before their own personal gain.
Questions About Morality and Ethics
- Does anyone in the book commit an immoral act? Explain your answer and give evidence from the text.
- Name a time when Henry worries about the moral implications of his actions. What does this tell you about his morals?
- What is unimportant in the world of The Boxcar Children? What does this reveal about morality at the time?
Chew on This
Try on an opinion or two, start a debate, or play the devil’s advocate.
Jessie is the moral center of the Alden family. She's always sure of what to do.
Henry sometimes struggles with the difference between right and wrong.