Children’s books have been around since the early 1500s. They reflect the traditional values of the times, yet they still serve as a socializing tool transmitting values from one generation to the next in today’s society (Gooden and Gooden 2001). Only in the latter years of the twentieth century has the picturebook become a serious object of academic study (Lewis 2001). Researchers began to take notice of the (under-)representation of women in children’s books and asserted commonly that reducing sexism in children’s reading materials is crucial for developing an equitable and democratic society.
Although previous research has examined the representation of gender and race in children’s literature extensively, there is, however, a major gap, focusing on the portrayal of New Zealand’s indigenous Polynesian people – specifically, the Maori woman. Little is known about the visibility of Maori women in print media (Evans 1994) and even less about their depiction in children’s picturebooks. In order to address this gap in the literature, this paper investigates the visual and verbal representation of Maori women in contemporary New Zealand picturebooks. Following the theories of Peter L. Berger, Thomas Luckmann and George Herbert Mead I developed a model illustrating the circular process of picturebook communication.
Moreover those theories serve as a theoretical framework, constituting the subsequent content analysis. As I examined the characters of Maori women in different New Zealand picturebooks, I identified three typifications, constituting the identity of an indigenous New Zealand woman in those narratives. The Teacher, the Entertainer and the Spiritual Maori woman reinvent and reproduce, yet delimit and constrain the identity of Maori women in contemporary picturebooks. Those books fail to intertwine and integrate the two differing cultures of Maori and Pakeha (New Zealander of European descent), in their storyline, and neglect current struggles or conflicts in the social reality of New Zealand.
Based on one outstanding book, I drew the conclusion that it is through integrating the two differing symbolic universes of Pakeha and Maori into the storyline, that the multiple roles carried by Maori women can be acknowledged and an authentic portrayal of Maori women is achieved.
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- Chapter 1: INTRODUCTION
- 1.1 Research purpose and research questions
- 1.2 Prior Research
- Chapter 2: CULTURAL BACKGROUND
- 2.1 Maori in New Zealand – a socio-historical context
- 2.2 Maori and the media
- Chapter 3: THE PICTUREBOOK
- 3.1 The nature of modern picturebooks
- 3.2 The interaction of image and word in picturebooks
- Chapter 4: THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK
- 4.1 Social Constructionism
- 4.1.1 George Herbert Mead
- 4.1.2 Peter L. Berger and Thomas Luckmann
- 4.2 The Social Construction of Gender
- 4.3 The Social Construction of Maori Women: Maori Feminist Theory
- 4.3.1 Key themes of Mana Wahine
- 4.3.1.1 Whakapapa (genealogy)
- 4.3.1.2 Whanau (extended family)
- 4.3.1.3 Wairua (spirit)
- 4.3.1.4 Atua Wahine (female goddesses)
- 4.3.1.5 Te Tiriti (The Treaty of Waitangi)
- 4.3.1.6 Decolonisation
- 4.4 The Social Construction of picturebooks
- 4.4.1 Typifications
- 4.4.2 Objectivation and signification
- 4.4.3 Symbolic Universes
- 4.4.4 Socialization
- 4.4.5 The social self
- 4.4.6 Language in picturebooks
- 4.4.7 The Social Construction of gendered Ideology in picturebooks
- 4.5 Conclusion: A Model of picturebook Communication
- Chapter 5: METHODOLOGY
- 5.1 Research Approach
- 5.2 Method
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This thesis investigates the representation of Maori women in contemporary New Zealand picturebooks, aiming to address the gap in research on the portrayal of indigenous Polynesian women in children's literature. It uses social constructionist theory to analyze the visual and verbal representations, identifying recurring typifications of Maori women within these narratives. The study examines how these representations might reinforce or challenge existing societal perceptions.
- Representation of Maori women in New Zealand picturebooks
- The interplay of visual and verbal elements in shaping character portrayal
- Analysis of recurring typifications of Maori women (e.g., Teacher, Entertainer, Spiritual Woman)
- The impact of cultural integration (or lack thereof) on character representation
- Application of social constructionist theories to the analysis of picturebooks
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
Chapter 1: INTRODUCTION: This introductory chapter sets the stage for the thesis by highlighting the significance of picturebooks as socializing tools and the existing gap in research concerning the representation of Maori women within this medium. It establishes the research purpose and questions that guide the study, emphasizing the need to understand how Maori women are depicted and the potential impact of these portrayals. The chapter also briefly reviews existing literature on gender and race representation in children's literature, further justifying the need for this focused investigation.
Chapter 2: CULTURAL BACKGROUND: This chapter provides essential socio-historical context on Maori people in New Zealand, exploring their history, culture, and relationship with the media. It establishes a foundation for understanding the complexities of Maori identity and its representation in visual media. By examining the socio-historical context, the chapter lays the groundwork for the subsequent analysis of how these cultural factors influence the portrayal of Maori women in picturebooks.
Chapter 3: THE PICTUREBOOK: This chapter delves into the nature of modern picturebooks, exploring their unique characteristics and the complex interplay between text and images. It analyzes how this combination of visual and verbal elements contributes to the overall narrative and its impact on the reader's interpretation. The chapter lays the groundwork for understanding how picturebooks function as mediums of cultural transmission and how those functions influence the depiction of Maori women.
Chapter 4: THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK: This chapter lays out the theoretical foundations of the study, focusing on social constructionism, specifically drawing upon the work of George Herbert Mead, Peter L. Berger, and Thomas Luckmann. It explores the social construction of gender and the specific application of Maori feminist theory (Mana Wahine) in understanding the construction of Maori women's identities. The chapter introduces key concepts like typifications, objectivation, signification, and symbolic universes, which form the basis for analyzing the representation of Maori women in the chosen picturebooks.
Chapter 5: METHODOLOGY: This chapter outlines the research approach and methods employed in the study. It details the methodology used to analyze the selected picturebooks, clearly articulating the specific techniques utilized to identify and interpret the visual and verbal representations of Maori women. This section provides crucial insight into the research design and ensures the study's rigor and validity.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
Maori women, New Zealand picturebooks, visual representation, verbal representation, social constructionism, gender, identity, cultural representation, typification, Mana Wahine, indigenous portrayal, Pakeha, cultural integration.
Frequently Asked Questions: Analysis of Maori Women in New Zealand Picturebooks
What is the main topic of this thesis?
This thesis investigates how Maori women are represented in contemporary New Zealand picturebooks. It examines the visual and verbal elements used to portray these women and analyzes how these representations might reinforce or challenge existing societal perceptions.
What is the research approach?
The thesis uses a social constructionist approach. This means it examines how the representations of Maori women are created and shaped by social and cultural factors, rather than being seen as objective reflections of reality. The study focuses on identifying recurring patterns (typifications) in how Maori women are depicted.
What theoretical frameworks are used?
The study draws heavily on social constructionist theory, particularly the work of George Herbert Mead, Peter L. Berger, and Thomas Luckmann. It also incorporates Maori feminist theory (Mana Wahine) to provide a culturally specific lens for understanding the representation of Maori women.
What are the key themes explored?
Key themes include the representation of Maori women in picturebooks; the interplay between visual and verbal elements in shaping character portrayals; recurring typifications of Maori women (e.g., teacher, entertainer, spiritual woman); the impact of cultural integration (or lack thereof) on character representation; and the application of social constructionist theories to the analysis of picturebooks.
What is the structure of the thesis?
The thesis is structured into five chapters: Chapter 1 (Introduction) sets the research questions and background; Chapter 2 (Cultural Background) provides context on Maori in New Zealand; Chapter 3 (The Picturebook) discusses the nature of picturebooks as a medium; Chapter 4 (Theoretical Framework) outlines the social constructionist approach and Maori feminist theory; and Chapter 5 (Methodology) details the research methods used.
What are the key concepts used in the analysis?
Key concepts from social constructionism include typifications, objectivation, signification, and symbolic universes. These are used to analyze how meanings about Maori women are created and communicated through picturebooks.
What specific aspects of Maori culture are considered?
The thesis considers several key aspects of Maori culture, including whakapapa (genealogy), whānau (extended family), wairua (spirit), atua wahine (female goddesses), Te Tiriti (The Treaty of Waitangi), and decolonization, all within the framework of Mana Wahine.
What is the significance of this research?
The research addresses a gap in existing scholarship by focusing specifically on the representation of indigenous Polynesian women in children's literature. Understanding how Maori women are portrayed in picturebooks can reveal how cultural values and stereotypes are perpetuated or challenged in children's narratives.
What kind of methodology is used?
The methodology section details the specific approach used to analyze the selected picturebooks. This includes the techniques employed to identify and interpret the visual and verbal representations of Maori women ensuring the study's rigor and validity.
What are the keywords associated with this research?
Keywords include: Maori women, New Zealand picturebooks, visual representation, verbal representation, social constructionism, gender, identity, cultural representation, typification, Mana Wahine, indigenous portrayal, Pakeha, cultural integration.
- Quote paper
- Kathrin Rochow (Author), 2011, Picturing Difference: An investigation of Maori women's characters in New Zealand picturebooks, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/205579
