Realism in fiction for Children Lecture 2 Dealing with social issues in realistic fiction EDU11GCL - Genres in Children’s Literature © La Trobe University, David Beagley 2005

Suggested Reading Nimon, Maureen (1993) Fiction, Political Correctness and teacher-librarians. Access, 7(2) (hpr ACCE) Nimon, Maureen (1998) Finding the acceptable boundaries: the challenge in young adult literature. Orana, 34(2) (hpr ) McKenzie, John (1998) Reply to Nimon (Letters to the editor). Orana, 34(3). 3-6 (hpr )

Realism – social problems Grim realities Many writers define “realism” in fiction as dealing with the worst aspects of life. e.g.: AIDS, homelessness, drugs, abuse, violence Late 20 th century saw sudden expansion of “acceptable” topics in children’s literature – creation of the problem novel where the protagonist is the victim Paul Zindel My darling, my hamburger (1969) Judy Blume Forever (1976), Robin Klein Came back to show you I could fly (1985), Sonya Hartnett Sleeping Dogs (1995)

Realism - social problems Controversial Stories Didacticism – should children’s literature be instructive or simply entertaining? Mediation – in children’s literature the author/reader dialogue has a “gatekeeper” Caring adults may not feel child readers should face some specific issues (yet) The “realistic” issue may be well outside the child reader’s likely experience - un-realistic, and difficult to absorb into inner reality

Realism - social problems Is children’s literature the place for warts’n’all reality? Should literature question or should it answer? Protection (shield them from the nasties, they will get enough later) vs Vaccination (finding out from the safety of a book prepares them to face reality)

Realism - social problems By their status, children are often helpless. As childhood becomes more complex and short in its lifespan – because of the problems of modern family life – it’s more important than ever to give children heroes, someone to look up to. If a large number of children are coping with exhausted and absent parents, and many are coping with hunger, perhaps it’s asking too much to dish up reality in all its harshness as bedtime reading Susan Smith (1996) The Lion the Witch and the Drug Addict, in Only Connect: readings on children’s literature, (3 rd edn.), ed. Sheila Egoff, Toronto: Oxford University Press

Realism dealing with the issues Author/Reader dialogue Reading is an intellectual exercise – “fiction is a way of thinking about and representing the real with the purpose of producing potential solutions to social contradictions” (Nimon, 1998) A reader must contribute to the understanding created by the story – reading is an experience Realistic fiction will always run the risk of being contentious Therefore, how can we set limits in children’s literature?

Realism dealing with the issues Inner and outer reality Inner - the personal, the lived experience, the elements by which you know yourself Outer - the world outside, the elements by which you place yourself in context Mediation by: Maturity - Children’s Literature vs Young Adult/Teen literature Quality – literary merit and integrity

Realism dealing with the issues Maturity - Children’s Literature vs Young Adult/Teen literature When does a child become an adult? When can they make their own choices? How much must their moral schema be mediated and directed? Transition period of adolescence Has fiction a role to be other than moral exemplar?

Realism dealing with the issues Quality – literary merit and integrity Dangers of focusing primarily on the social issue: Over-simplification of the topic - narrative device instead of rich social context Failure to bring the topic to life - preaching the value instead of living the experience Failure to elicit a sympathetic response in the reader - hit between the eyes with the problem (or moral) or enjoy the reading experience? Judgements of literary merit must be applied rigorously “to enhance a young reader’s reflectiveness” (Nimon 1993)

Realism – death & grieving Novels: Mama’s going to buy you a mockingbird Jean Little Missing May Cynthia Rylant Gilbert’s ghost train David Metzenthen Waterwings Morris Gleitzman Picture books: Passing on Mike Dumbleton Lucy’s Bay Gary Crew Jenny Angel Margaret Wild Old Pig Margaret Wild Meggie’s magic Anna Dean John Brown, Rose and the midnight cat Jenny Wagner

Realism – not so grim Social issues need not be grim, dark and controversial – the outer reality can be close to home, the point made, and the story enjoyed Elizabeth Honey – Don’t pat the wombat, 45 & 47 Stella Street, Fiddleback, The Ballad of Cauldron Bay, Remote man Morris Gleitzman, Christobel Mattingley, Colin Thiele …