2. Realism in fiction for Children Lecture 1 Issues in realistic fiction EDU11GCL - Genres in Children’s Literature © La Trobe University, David Beagley 2005

3. Suggested Reading Sheila Egoff (1997) Only Connect: readings in children’s literature. 3 rd ed. Toronto: Oxford University Press (Collection of essays by major figures in the field - earlier editions are also useful, though they have different essays)

4. Realism - definitions Believable characters in realistic settings facing, and dealing with, real problems. May be defined as imaginative writing that accurately reflects life as it was lived in the past or could be lived today. Everything in the story could have happened to real people living in our natural world - it could happen to you.

5. Realism - definitions Inner and outer reality Inner - the personal, the lived experience, the elements by which you know yourself Outer - the world outside, the elements by which you place yourself in context Realism in fiction is a way to align the two

6. Realism - definitions Helps children to understand life - their own or others. Thus, stories about growing up, coming to terms with life, finding a place in family, among peers and in society. Fuller understandings of human problems, relationships, leads to better understanding of themselves and their own potential. Enlarges, deepens compassion. BUT – danger of didacticism, preaching.

7. Realism - definitions Vicarious experience - looking at the world from other peoples’ perspectives. Shared problems connect people. Knowing daily details lessens generalization and prejudice. The outer reality helps to define and explore the inner reality

8. Realism - features A character / storyline that you can easily relate to. Real world issues ie not aliens, magic or talking animals. An experience that could happen to anyone - something that happens to everyday people in ordinary situations. Adults must not solve children’s problems - even if it involves new learning, the solution must be realistic in the reader’s terms. Adults are often the cause of the problem, or absent.

9. Realism - features Present or past situations - authenticity. Story structure logical Problem - Search for Solution - Resolution Taps into universally felt emotions eg. Identity, loneliness, companionship, love Deals with common social values e.g. justice, belonging, equality not too melodramatic / exotic / fanciful. “Reasonably positive resolution”

10. Realism - problems Problem may be particular May be limited to precise circumstances - “exotic”, not local Easy to be stereotypical in representation of characters (making claims for all members of a group) e.g.: ethnicity e.g. : Parvana (girls in Afghanistan), Heaven’s Breath (AIDS in Africa) depictions of social or economic status : Looking for X (Autism, poverty)

11. Realism - problems Currency Can become outdated quickly due to outer reality changing e.g.: clothes; hobbies; language; TV programs; pop stars and celebrities; current events Accepted attitudes to issues may change e.g.: sexuality, guns & hunting, gender roles

12. Realism - problems Stories may be controversial The “realistic” issue may be well outside the reader’s likely experience - un-realistic Caring adults may not feel child readers should face the specific issues (yet) eg: treatment of disabled people in institutions; drug use; violence homelessness; teenage pregnancy; coming to terms with one’s sexuality.

13. Realism - problems Grim realities Many writers think that “realism” in fiction must deal with the worst aspects of life. e.g.: AIDS, homelessness, drugs, abuse, violence Late 20 th century saw sudden expansion of “acceptable” topics in children’s literature – the problem novel (Egoff) Paul Zindel My darling, my hamburger (1969) Judy Blume Forever (1976), Robin Klein Came back to show you I could fly (1985), Sonya Hartnett Sleeping Dogs (1995)

14. Realism - problems Is children’s literature the place for warts’n’all reality? Protection (shield them from the nasties, they will get enough later) vs Vaccination (finding out from the safety of a book prepares them to face reality) Children’s Literature vs Young Adult/Teen literature – where and what are the boundaries? Should literature question or should it answer?