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FINAL Current Developments at the Intersection of British Children ONLINE VERSION
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Children’s literature criticism In order to make allowances for the fact that children’s literature is so variform, its current critics must be just as versatile as their subject. This feature of polyphony, which characterises the genre’s current situation, is therefore also found in its criticism. Whereas this versatility is the great potential of both literature and its criticism, the sheer amount and the simultaneity of approaches and views render the field less lucid. In order to give a structured overview of the situation we will thus focus on main theories and their representatives only. 6 The broad range of children’s literature criticism offers an ideal vantage point for the aims of our study, the analysis of the current developments at the intersection of British children’s literature and fantasy. As it examines the developments and phenomena of the field, children’s literature criticism is an important indicator for transformations of the current trends influenced by social, political and ecological progress. Differences of opinion contribute to a many-facetted analysis, which, in turn, helps to construct a multi-dimensional overall picture. Whereas from concurrences generalisations can be deducted, the divergences reveal interesting touchstones. 5 Critics inquire not only into a book’s quality aspects, but for instance also examine reader address, morals and messages, i.e. the current ideology, conveyed. 6 So as not to go beyond the scope of this study, minor or more specialised theories, irrespective of their originality, have to be discounted here. More extensive studies still need to examine the entire bandwidth of topical children’s literature criticism. 68 3.3 Important representatives and their influence In its diversity the field of current British children’s literature can take adult literature on any time. Not too long ago children’s literature was smiled at condescendingly and treated as a mere gateway literature for beginners. However, today’s literary scene faces a phenomenon which sceptics did not believe children’s literature to be capable of: Its emancipation. The more demanding topical publications become, the more literary critics become aware of its potential. They commence applying theories to literature for children, be they literary, social, political, gender-oriented or other, which so far have been limited to “serious” adult literature. This development can mean two things. Either, children’s literature has established itself as a literary form of equal rank with that of adults and is being respected and appreciated as such; or it diffuses with adult literature. It can therefore be observed that the landscape of children’s literature resembles that of adult literature in its diversity. As varied as the field are its researchers, its critics as well as their media. Whereas classically new theories and approaches are either published as monographs, articles in anthologies or magazines, 7 a new mouthpiece for children’s literature has emerged online. An increasing number of contributions like reviews, background information on authors and their work, fan club websites or fan fiction can be found on the internet. As the twentieth century progresses in Britain, more and more authors and critics become self-confident of their work, its aesthetics, its use and importance. As a result, they venture into new areas of criticism, applying “adult” approaches to the maturing genre. Watson claims that with the changing notion of childhood the adaptation of a topical definition of children’s literature was made the focal point of criticism in the 20 th century. 8 At the beginning of the 21 st century, however, with fantasy literature for adults and that for children developing towards each other, critics start questioning the necessity for such a possibly outdated enterprise. Educational approaches have been complemented by social, cultural, philosophical, ethical and psychological ones. Also, more and more literary theories, either established or new, are being transferred to children’s literature, thus shifting the focus of attention increasingly towards textual criticism. 7 Among the many critical magazines on children’s literature of quality which focus on interesting phenomena and provide a platform for discussion of current topics are for example the American Books for Keeps, Children’s Literature, Children’s Literature Association Quarterly, The Horn Book Magazine, The Lion and the Unicorn; The Times Literary Supplement, Signal, Children’s Literature in Education or the German Eselsohr. 8 Compare Watson, The Cambridge Guide. 69 It can be observed that at the turn of the millennium a concurrence of the pioneering works of children’s literature critics is their urge to classify, structure and define the genre so as to reveal its patterns and special features. So it is no wonder that regulative, standardising contributions to the genre are in demand at the time of academicism of children’s literature, on the basis of which further studies can be conducted. Download 1.22 Mb. Do'stlaringiz bilan baham: |
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