William Makepeace Thackeray'nin Gurur Dünyası ve Samuel Butler'ın Tüm İnsanlar Gibi adlı eserlerinde baskıcı bir mekanizma olarak eğitim

The Victorian era (1837-1901) was a period in which significant transformations took place in various fields such as culture, education and working conditions. This period also saw key educational reforms, leading to notable changes at schools and the overall approach to learning. The Victorian education system reflected and maintained the social norms and class stratifications of the time. Education was seen not only as a path to personal development but also as a mechanism to maintain societal order and class distinctions. Public schools played a crucial role in maintaining aristocratic values and the unequal distribution of power, integrating new wealthy classes into higher societal strata. The role of family in education was significant, particularly among wealthy families, where education was viewed as a means to preserve high social status. However, this study suggests that this emphasis on education also led to oppressive school experiences. Furthermore, schooling which is often regarded as a means of development and advancement, could also function as a means of oppression, especially for marginalized individuals. The literary works of William M. Thackery's Vanity Fair and Samuel Butler's The Way of All Flesh illustrate how education in this era could be used as a tool of societal oppression. The function of schools in shaping individuals' lifestyles and personalities, and the influence of social expectations and family pressures on students' experiences can be considered oppressive aspects of the Victorian education system. This study focuses on the oppressive elements within educational settings, including the behaviours of educators, school administrators, and the overall schooling system. It acknowledges that while education was a sign of privilege and discipline, aiming to elevate social standing, it also had a negative impact on children's personal freedom and development. In this respect, the research provides a comprehensive analysis of the multifaceted role of education and schools in the Victorian period. The study also emphasizes the complex and systematic nature of this oppression at schools examining the educational experiences of the characters in William M. Thackery's Vanity Fair and Samuel Butler's The Way of All Flesh. Keywords: education, schooling, public schools, oppression, Victorian period, Vanity Fair, The Way of All Flesh