Children's literature dilemma

[Demoneas]

Hey!
I have a paper project/ presentation to do on Children's Literature in the 1930's, and I really could use some suggestions on some useful sites on new criticism...or any new streams of analysis that have recently come up....my comp refuses to yield ANY info whatsoever:crash:

[Sindhu]

I assume you are not asking for the children's books in the 1930's themselves, but for critical approaches. personally, I feeel it is a sacriliege to use our current theoretical extravaganzas on children's literature,but I am currently teaching a course on CL and of necessity have to include some theoretical approaches also.
I don't think New Criticisism would be of much use butyou could certainly use structuralism in relation to textswhich have a hero/heroine figure without a clearly developed personality. When it is the personality that draws attention, you could choose between freudian psychoanalysis and archetypal criticism. Genderbased criticism is nearly always a trustworthy standby. Marxist or class based criticism enters when questions of who reads what come up. Then of course there is the perennial argumentabout who does the selections and erects acanon of children's literature- obviously the adults- so you can go to foucaultian ideas of power. and the period 1930's will, I'm sure provide some scope for postcolonial criticism. Personally,I hate these methods of approaching children's books,:flare: but I quite realize you have no choice. ask if you need me to explain anything in greater detail.
Sindhu.




Hey!
I have a paper project/ presentation to do on Children's Literature in the 1930's, and I really could use some suggestions on some useful sites on new criticism...or any new streams of analysis that have recently come up....my comp refuses to yield ANY info whatsoever:crash:

[Bastet]

Another question to think about that might help you: Children's literature is written by adults, so therefore it is a projection of what that given adult thinks of childhood, which in many cases responds to how a certain society in a certain place at a certain time perceives it.

Good luck on your paper!! ;)