Final answer:
The provided texts discuss the motivations and practices of authority figures in exploiting and controlling children, through slavery, harsh educational practices, and absolute power. These actions are rooted in economic gain, cultural imperialism, and the potential benefits of commanding absolute authority.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question pertains to reasons behind the actions of different characters in various texts, highlighting themes such as exploitation, servitude, and the effects of educational practices on children. While the question does not specify a particular 'School Master' who chose to kidnap children, it can be inferred from the excerpts provided that the actions of individuals in positions of authority are motivated by a range of factors, from financial gain to the imposition of cultural norms. For example, slaveholders in the American South would enslave their own children, born of enslaved women, for economic benefits and under the pretext of following the established lawful rule that children follow the condition of their mothers. Moreover, the superintendent of the mines is called 'a king in his dominions' likely because he wields absolute authority over his domain, similarly to how slaveholders had control over their slaves. When it comes to educational practices, some are described as maintaining a harsh discipline comparable to a military camp, negatively impacting the psychological and physical well-being of the children, even as other teachers practiced a kinder approach.