One theory for analyzing childhood literature is due to the fact that childhood is a universal experience. Sanchez-Eppler refers to age as “inherently transitional,” meaning we all went from childhood to adulthood. Few things in life are universal like childhood and the processes of growing up. While the experiences are not all the same, the idea of going from being dependent and evolving into being an individual is a collective understanding (Sanchez-Eppler).
Another way in which children are relevant to analyze is because of the way they were used as metaphors during the 19th century. Children were used throughout literature to describe hope for the future (MacLeod). Adults were anxious about the future and its uncertainties; therefore they focused on teaching the children obedience, “the first law in life,” so that their future would look how they wanted it to be (MacLeod). In order to understand American literature during this time period and its historical context, there must be an understanding of what children were representing in the literature.
America’s future was also shifting from an Agrarian culture to becoming more and more industrialized and children’s literature depicted this as a negative progress (MacLeod). Through studying specifically children’s literature it gives a window to how societies were shifting and what they wanted to youth to see as evil. Children were even instructed in the stories about not being materialistic, and instead helping others (MacLeod). The changes that were being made in the American lifestyle were unwelcomed and it is depicted through the use of children’s literature during this time.
Loss of innocence is a theme that occurs throughout literature seen through children, which is interesting to analyze because it is a trait one can never regain. As seen in Harriet Appleton’s poem, childhood is “an object of desire” that is remembered, but can never be fully relived (Sanchez-Eppler). Studying children allows for one to tap into a part of them that has passed, almost like a loved one dying, and reviving it in a way that gives one glimpses of who one once was.
Sanchez-Eppler explains how, “age is inherently transitional,” as opposed to race, gender and other inequalities. Due to the dynamic nature of age it is interesting to study childhood because unlike race or gender we have all passed through the stage of reliance (Sanchez-Eppler). Sanchez-Eppler relates it to how we can understand Feminism more through “childhood and the acts of children” (Sanchez-Eppler). This view allows for the word child to be replaced within the writings with where one might feel in a
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In one of your theories you talked about the rise of industrialization and the chaos it caused among the older societies. I almost find it entertaining that parents were terrified of change, trying to suppress the younger generation to stay in the country. In their literature they actually talked about how only bad things happen in the city and corrupt, evil people live there. I just hate that children were mesmerized into thinking what their parents thought, instead of having experiences of their own and making their own decisions. This point that you made stood out the most to me in my reading and helped me understand what was really going on in the nineteenth century.
ReplyDeleteI find it interesting that you mentioned that parents knew that the children were the future, and it scared them so they often associated the future with obedience. I'm not exactly sure if I agree with the understand that teaching children “the first law in life" is the key to a clear future. I also think that the rising industrial world of the time had a huge influence on the parents of this generation. We're scared of the unknown, and the materialism that was pouring out on the streets must have sent parents running for the hills. It's no wonder they were frightened for the future. I'm just not sure their methods to prevent this from happening was exactly sound.
ReplyDeleteEllen,
ReplyDeleteGreat job at developing your ideas in your blog post! I loved the point we talked about in class and the one you made in your first paragraph of childhood being one of the few things that are universal. It is such an interesting to think about and one that is so true. It is a level playing field. Everyone expereinces childhood in some form or fashion. We quickly grow up, yet everyone at one time was a child. I think that is why we can sometime so easily relate to the portrayal of children in literature. Great job!