Preface: Defining the topic
In literature, just like in reality, gifted children may differ from each other in every aspect except for the very existence of a special talent or very high intelligence. Still, both in life and fiction, certain types can be traced. The terms child prodigy or wunderkind evoke a child which has developed outstanding skills in a certain area like chess (cp. the protagonist of Amy Tan′s short story "Rules of the Game" or Luzhin in Nabokov′s "Luzhin′s defence"; in reality, almost every grandmaster demonstrated exceptional skills in early childhood, the most prominent example being probably Capablanca), music (McCullers′ wunderkind in the short story of the same title does not live up to a comparison with Mozart, but is also considered a piano prodigy as a child), or any other art or science. In the study "Child Prodigies and Exceptionally Early Achievers", the psychologist John Radford practically equates the former with the latter, despite the conjunction in the title. The Wikipedia offers a similar definition: "A child prodigy, or simply prodigy, is someone who is a master of one or more skills or arts at an early age. One possible definition of a prodigy is a person who, by the age of 10, displays expert proficiency in a field usually only undertaken by adults"1.
As this paper intends to study prodigious children in American literature, the best source for a definitions seems to be the leading American dictionary. However, Webster′s2 is extremely vague: "a person or thing of remarkable qualities or powers: an infant prodigy"is listed as a second possibility after an even more general reference to everything extraordinary. Merriam- Webster OnLine defines a prodigy in point 2b as "a highly talented child or youth"3. Unlike the print version, it also lists the word wunderkind as "a child prodigy; also: one who succeeds in a competitive or highly difficult field or profession at an early age", implying by the also that such success is not a typical trait of an infant prodigy. The Encyclopedia Britannica gives the most elaborate description which (according to a mini-survey of about a dozen subjects effected by the author of this essay) perfectly matches a native speaker′s use: "an extraordinary person, particularly a child, who shows spontaneous early signs of genius or exceptional ability along certain lines"4. It also stresses chess, maths and music as typical fields of prodigious achievement.
Mentions of the words prodigy and wunderkind in other articles of the Encyclopedia add up to 150. The adjective prodigious occurs 176 times, but only rarely referring to early achievers. Surely the encyclopedia′s editors did not have to use this particular term every time they considered somebody as showing talent early. Word combinations like at an early age or as a child appear thousands of times, but a random sampling shows that in the overwhelming majority of biographical articles they are used to describe outer circumstances rather than achievements.
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- 1. Introduction
- 1.1. Preface: Defining the topic
- 1.2. Prodigious or precocious? Types of talent: an introduction of the characters
- 2. Wunder or kinder?
- 2.1. Authenticity of precocious and prodigious child protagonists
- 2.2. Jane and Ada
- 2.3. Seymour
- 3. Gifted children and their parents
- 3.1. Emily
- 3.2. The fatherless three
- 3.3. Role models, parent figures: female versus male
- 3.3.1. Preference unclear: Frances, Jane
- 3.3.2. Ignoring the fathers: Ada, Meimei
- 3.3.3. Mrs. Glass versus Mr. Glass
- 3.4 Sybilla: a "wundermutter"
- 4. Conclusion
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This paper aims to explore the portrayal of precocious and prodigious children and their environments in 20th-century American literature. It examines the different types of gifted children depicted, their relationships with their parents, and the impact of societal expectations on their development. The analysis avoids drawing definitive conclusions but rather seeks to illuminate the nuanced representations of these characters and their circumstances.- Defining and differentiating between "precocious" and "prodigious" children in literature.
- Analyzing the role of parental influence in the development of gifted children.
- Exploring the diverse range of talents and abilities exhibited by these characters.
- Examining the societal pressures and expectations placed upon gifted children.
- Considering the impact of gender roles on the portrayal of gifted children and their parents.
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
1. Introduction: This introductory chapter establishes the scope of the paper by defining the terms "child prodigy" and "wunderkind," drawing on various sources including dictionaries, encyclopedias, and scientific studies. It highlights the ambiguity in these definitions and the blurred lines between exceptionally gifted children and those simply considered bright or talented. The chapter also introduces the characters that will be analyzed throughout the paper, setting the stage for a comparative study of their unique circumstances and developmental trajectories. 2. Wunder or kinder?: This chapter delves into the authenticity of precocious and prodigious child protagonists in literature, questioning the extent to which these fictional characters accurately reflect real-life gifted children. It examines specific examples of characters, such as Jane and Ada, and Seymour from the Glass family, exploring their respective talents and the ways in which their giftedness is presented. The chapter subtly explores the potential for exaggeration and the complex interplay between talent and environmental factors in shaping their development. 3. Gifted children and their parents: This chapter analyzes the relationship between gifted children and their parents. It examines several case studies, comparing and contrasting the parental influence on different characters, focusing on factors like parenting styles, expectations, and the role of gender. The discussion is comprehensive, including examples of both supportive and exploitative parental figures and analyzing their effects on the children’s development and well-being. The chapter's focus is on how parental figures shape the children's lives, both positively and negatively, touching on the themes of nurture and nature in the context of giftedness.Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
Precocious children, prodigious children, child prodigies, wunderkinder, gifted children, parental influence, talent development, societal expectations, gender roles, 20th-century American literature, literary analysis.
Frequently Asked Questions: Analysis of Precocious and Prodigious Children in 20th-Century American Literature
What is the focus of this academic paper?
This paper explores the portrayal of precocious and prodigious children and their environments in 20th-century American literature. It examines the types of gifted children depicted, their relationships with parents, and how societal expectations impact their development. The analysis aims to illuminate nuanced representations rather than drawing definitive conclusions.
What are the key themes explored in the paper?
Key themes include defining and differentiating between "precocious" and "prodigious" children; analyzing parental influence on gifted children's development; exploring the diverse talents and abilities of these characters; examining societal pressures on gifted children; and considering the impact of gender roles on the portrayal of gifted children and their parents.
Which literary characters are analyzed in this paper?
The paper analyzes several characters, including Jane, Ada, Seymour (from the Glass family), Emily, Meimei, Frances, and Sybilla. These characters serve as case studies to illustrate the different ways gifted children are portrayed and the varying influences on their lives.
How does the paper define "precocious" and "prodigious"?
The paper acknowledges the ambiguity in defining these terms, drawing on various sources to highlight the blurred lines between exceptionally gifted children and those simply considered bright or talented. The analysis explores these distinctions throughout the examination of the chosen literary characters.
What is the role of parental influence in the analysis?
The paper significantly examines the relationship between gifted children and their parents, analyzing various parenting styles, expectations, and the role of gender in shaping the children's development. It includes examples of both supportive and exploitative parental figures and their impact on the children's well-being.
What is the significance of societal expectations in the paper's analysis?
The paper explores how societal pressures and expectations placed upon gifted children influence their development and experiences. This includes considering the impact of gender roles on the portrayal of these children and their parents.
What is the structure of the paper?
The paper is structured into four chapters: an introduction defining key terms and introducing the characters; a chapter exploring the authenticity of precocious and prodigious child protagonists in literature; a chapter analyzing the relationships between gifted children and their parents; and a concluding chapter.
What are the key takeaways from the chapter summaries?
The introduction establishes the scope of the paper. Chapter two questions the authenticity of these fictional characters compared to real-life gifted children. Chapter three analyzes the relationship between gifted children and their parents, examining various case studies and the impact of parental figures, both positive and negative. The conclusion synthesizes the findings.
What are the keywords associated with this paper?
Keywords include precocious children, prodigious children, child prodigies, wunderkinder, gifted children, parental influence, talent development, societal expectations, gender roles, 20th-century American literature, and literary analysis.
- Quote paper
- Alexandra Berlina (Author), 2006, Precocious and prodigious children and their environment in 20th century American literature, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/63206
