Foreign Places and Languages in Children's Fiction

Term Paper , 2011 , 11 Pages , Grade: 1,7

English Language and Literature Studies - Literature

The idea that the use of the motif of foreign places and languages in Children’s Fiction is a phenomenon that came up due to globalization sounds evident, but turns out to be misleading. Peter Hunt, Professor Emeritus in Children’s Literature, attributes the interest in foreign cultures to “[…] the desire in the child to comprehend the shape of the world, literally and metaphorically” (Hunt 1994, 179). This has been present in Children’s Literature long time before, most likely in adventure stories and Fantastic Literature, and so the migrant literature is just another way of dealing with it.
In order to find out which effects it has to establish the setting in a place which is unknown to the young readers and to bring them into contact with foreign cultures, I am going to examine four books, written in three different centuries: Mrs. Overtheway’s Remembrances (1869), The Wind Eye (1976), The Granny Project (1983) and The White Darkness (2005). It is interesting to see how this motif works in the mentioned stories, what impact it has on the characters’ life and how it changes them. Therefore I will go further than just describing the relations the protagonists have to the foreign places or languages, but also try to interpret them.

Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)

• Introduction
• Main Part
  • Mrs. Overtheway's Remembrances
  • The Wind Eye
  • The Granny Project
  • The White Darkness
• Conclusion

Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)

The objective of this work is to explore the impact of foreign places and languages on the characters in four children's books from different centuries. By examining the settings, characters' reactions, and the role of language, the author aims to understand how encounters with the 'other' shape individual perspectives and experiences in children's fiction.

• The influence of foreign places and languages on children's literature
• The impact of cultural encounters on character development
• The role of language in shaping relationships and understanding
• The portrayal of foreign cultures in children's fiction
• The significance of historical context in shaping literary themes

Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)

Mrs. Overtheway's Remembrances

This chapter explores the story of Mary Smith, whose family embraces foreign cultures and teaches her to be tolerant. Her adventures in the Russian-inspired "Reka Dom" house foster a sense of wonder and lead to her eventual marriage. The chapter examines how foreign cultures enrich the lives of characters and provide opportunities for personal growth.

The Wind Eye

The Wind Eye takes readers to Northumberland, where a family travels through time to the 7th century. The chapter contrasts the reactions of different family members to this experience. The father, Bertrand, is arrogant and struggles to communicate with the locals, while the children, Beth and Sally, demonstrate openness and respect for the culture. Their ability to connect with the saint, Cuddy, through non-verbal communication highlights the importance of empathy and understanding in cultural exchange.

Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)

This work explores the key themes of foreign places, languages, and cultural encounters in children's fiction. It examines the impact of these elements on character development, relationships, and the broader understanding of the world. Important keywords include: foreign cultures, cultural exchange, language, communication, childhood, character development, adventure, and historical context.

• College: University of Osnabrück (Fachbereich Sprach- und Literaturwissenschaften)
• Course: Experimental Children's Fiction
• Grade: 1,7
• Author: Lorena Greppo (Author)
• Publication Year: 2011
• Pages: 11
• Catalog Number: V192563
• ISBN (eBook): 9783656175445
• Language: English
• Tags: foreign, places, languages, children, fiction