Title: The Basic Features of American and English Children's Literature in the XIX century

Title: The Basic Features of American and English Children's Literature in the XIX Century

Introduction

Children's literature plays a fundamental role in the development of reading habits among children. The basic features of American and English children's literature in the XIX century are critical in understanding the evolution of children's literature. This coursework aims to explore the basic features of American and English children's literature in the XIX century, including how it reflected the values, beliefs, and culture of the time.

Historical Context of the XIX Century

During the XIX century, America experienced a significant shift from agricultural to industrialization. This period was characterized by rapid urbanization and economic growth, leading to social and economic inequalities. The literature of the XIX century reflected the industrialization process, which brought significant changes to society. The literature also highlighted cultural values such as individualism, self-reliance, and democracy.

English children's literature, on the other hand, had a rich history dating back to the medieval period. During the XIX century, the literature underwent significant changes, and writers began to focus on creating works that were more child-friendly. The new focus saw a shift from moralistic and didactic content to more entertaining, interesting, and engaging tales.

Basic Features of American Children's Literature in the XIX Century
One of the key features of American children's literature in the XIX century was the moralistic and didactic nature of the literature. Writers sought to instill moral values and reinforce positive behavior among children. For example, Nathaniel Hawthorne's "A Wonder Book" and "Tanglewood Tales" contain moral lessons that teach children about the importance of honesty, bravery, and kindness. Similarly, Louisa May Alcott's "Little Women" emphasizes the values of family and helping others.

Another key feature of American children's literature in the XIX century was the use of realistic themes. Many of the works written during this period centered around the struggles and challenges faced by families and individuals during the industrialization process. For example, Mark Twain's "The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn" portrays the challenges faced by individuals living in a society where racism and bigotry were commonplace. The book helps children understand the negative effects of social injustices.

Basic Features of English Children's Literature in the XIX Century
English children's literature in the XIX century also had didactic themes, but with the difference that the writing style was infused with humor and wit. The literature was meant to entertain and engage children while helping them learn important life lessons. One of the key features of English children's literature during this period was the use of fairy tales and fantasy elements. Walter Crane's "Mother Hubbard's Picture Book" and Lewis Carroll's "Alice in Wonderland" are examples of works that make use of such themes to draw in children.

Another key feature of English children's literature in the XIX century was the use of serialized works. Dickens' "Oliver Twist" and "Great Expectations" were serialized before being published in collected form. This allowed the stories to be more accessible to readers, particularly children who could read the episodes as standalone stories.

Conclusion
The XIX century was an important period in the development of children's literature. In America, the literature focused on moral values and used realistic themes to teach children the importance of good behavior. In England, the literature was more focused on entertainment and used fairy tales and serializations to draw in children. Both genres of children's literature had a significant impact on the development of this important genre, and the basic features of both genres remain relevant to this day.