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The Real-Life Mowgli: The Enigmatic Savage of Aveyron

Rubén Darío

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Published in Wild Boy: The Real Life Of The Savage Of Aveyron

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In the annals of human history, there are few stories as captivating and enigmatic as that of the Savage of Aveyron. Discovered wandering alone in the forests of Southern France in 1799, this feral child became a subject of intense fascination and scientific study. His story has inspired countless works of fiction, including Rudyard Kipling's "The Jungle Book," which featured the character of Mowgli, a feral child raised by wolves.

Discovery and Capture

On September 8, 1799, a young boy was found wandering in the woods of Saint-Sernin-sur-Rance, a small village in the Aveyron region of France. He was naked, dirty, and unable to speak. The villagers initially believed him to be a savage, and he was treated with suspicion and fear.

Wild Boy: The Real Life of the Savage of Aveyron

by Mary Losure

4.1 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	11584 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	176 pages
Screen Reader	:	Supported

Eventually, the boy was taken to the local authorities in Rodez, where he was examined by a number of doctors and scientists. They determined that he was about 12 years old, and that he had been living in isolation for most of his life. He had no knowledge of language or social customs, and he exhibited many animalistic behaviors, such as running on all fours and eating raw meat.

Education and Socialization

The boy's case quickly became a sensation, and he was soon transferred to Paris, where he was placed under the care of Jean-Marc Gaspard Itard, a renowned physician and educator of deaf children. Itard believed that the boy could be educated and socialized, and he embarked on a rigorous program of teaching and training.

Itard's methods were both innovative and controversial. He taught the boy sign language, and he tried to teach him to read and write. He also tried to instill in him a sense of morality and social responsibility.

Itard's efforts were met with mixed success. The boy never fully mastered language or social conventions, but he did learn to recognize and respond to certain words and commands. He also developed a strong attachment to Itard, and he began to display signs of affection and gratitude.

Challenges and Frustrations

Despite Itard's dedication and the boy's progress, the task of educating and socializing him proved to be extremely challenging. The boy had difficulty understanding abstract concepts, and he often resisted Itard's attempts to teach him new things.

Itard also faced criticism from other scientists and educators, who doubted the value of his work. They argued that the boy was too severely damaged to be educated, and that Itard's efforts were futile.

As the years went by, Itard's frustration grew. He began to doubt his own methods, and he eventually abandoned his efforts to educate the boy. In 1807, the boy was transferred to the National Institute for the Deaf and Dumb in Paris, where he lived for the rest of his life.

Legacy and Impact

The Savage of Aveyron's story has had a profound impact on our understanding of human nature and the role of education and socialization in human development. His case has been the subject of numerous scientific studies, and it has inspired countless works of literature, art, and film.

The Savage of Aveyron's story is a reminder that even the most isolated and damaged individuals have the potential for learning and growth. It is also a testament to the power of human connection and the importance of providing support and guidance to those in need.