Microsoft Word final-current Developments at the Intersection of British Children-online-version doc

5.4.2
 
Modern child heroes 
Just as traditional child heroes, modern ones are central to the plot of current British 
fantasy novels for children. However, a shift of prioritisation can be observed away from the 
mere function of the hero as carrier of action towards a role model. The increasingly detailed 
and sophisticated and therefore much more understandable portrayal of the hero’s inner 
conflicts achieve that he no longer simply furthers the action but also gives it depth. Thus 
heroes can become more interesting as individuals rather than mere questers. Today, 
traditional male child heroes, longing for strength and acknowledgement, still exist. Yet, seen 
as morals and values are changing, nowadays the priorities have shifted. On account of his 
less pronounced individuality as well as the lower rating of the aspect of psychological depth 
the traditional hero cannot meet the new priorities to the necessary extent. Therefore the 
traditional child hero can be found mainly in those current standard fantasy novels which 
either consider the overall story more important than sophisticated characterisation or those 
which do not address the issue of contemporary concerns and developments, thus wanting to 
keep their novels more universal and timeless. So the traditional child hero is not an overcome 
model as such. However, considering demanding topics like the latest global developments, a 
more complex, individual and sensitive characterisation of the child hero is required.
The priorities in his characterisation are shifting from external towards internal values 
in order to respond to the change of situation. As the early examples of Christopher Robin and 
Bilbo Baggins demonstrate, the modern child hero still focuses on everyday heroes who are 
not predestined. Here the traditional child hero already deviated from its mythical 
predecessors that were predestined by origin or birth. Traditional or modern concept, 

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everyone could be a potential hero. This way, they become more tangible, lifelike and 
authentic. In Neue Helden der Kinder- und Jugendliteratur Doderer defines the image of the 
modern child hero quite aptly when he says that the heroes’ weaknesses and desires are being 
focussed on, as well as their growing awareness of their environment.
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This transition from 
macro- to microlevel, i.e. the individualisation, can be found in all aspects of the concept of 
modern child hero.