English 2F - Children's Lit
Response #2 - Children's Literature in Context

Purpose: To examine the influence of history and culture on the development of children's literature as a distinct genre, to examine socially and culturally constructed assumptions about childhood, to begin analyzing texts as a reflection of cultural attitudes about children and childhood.

Directions: 

Note: The responses are intended to be a way for you to explore ideas that you might later wish to refine in a paper or a discussion.  I will not censor these responses in any way, nor will I grade them on content or grammar (though, like the seminars, they must be coherent and display some measure of critical thinking about the question at hand). You do not have to answer all the questions, nor do you have to confine yourself to these questions.  You can write as much as you want, as long as you meet the minimum length requirements for the assignment

1. Write at least a page about your reaction to the material in the reading and discussion. Some questions to consider: What would you consider to be the "canon" of children's literature? Do you think most adults have an accurate view of what children need and are like?  Do you think there is such a thing as an "ideal childhood" - if so, what would it look like?  Are there some universal truths that we can recognize about children and childhood, no matter when or where the child lives? What kinds of books do children need and want?  What kinds of cultural messages do we send to children through books?  How do those messages change in different times and cultural contexts? Can you think of any examples of a book reflecting a specific value from a specific time or place? Was the book enforcing the value or rebelling against it?

2. Submit your response to the assignments chamber.

3. Extra Credit Option: Post your response to the extra credit forums, "Response #2 - Children's Literature in Context ".  You will receive extra credit if you post your response and/or respond to at least one other student's posting.