2. Realism in fiction for Children Week 8 Lecture 1 Multicultural literature for children EDU11GCL - Genres in Children’s Literature © La Trobe University, David Beagley 2005

3. Defining Multiculturalism Multi = many Pluralism of cultures Integrity of each culture Therefore, requires recognition of: the inherent value of each culture, in its own right, on its own terms Acceptance, by all cultures, of the value of the others Willingness to co-exist

4. Multicultural literature for children Why use multicultural books? Social tendency to cultural domination through: Political/economic/social colonialism - mimicking the dominant power Globalized communication (TV, music, food, advertising)

5. Multicultural literature for children Therefore, multicultural books enable : Increased cultural understanding Broader knowledge of (and sympathy for) different cultures and communities Acceptance of alternatives

6. Multicultural literature for children Helps children understand children from other cultures whom they encounter Helps children from a non-dominant (usually non-Anglo-American) background understand part of their cultural values Helps children to appreciate the integrity of other cultures and understand difficulties they may face: Political, Economic, Social and Cultural.

7. Evaluating multicultural literature Essential elements: Accuracy Must not be degrading or patronising Can children understand cultural contexts and details? History, words, customs may need to be explained.

8. Evaluating multicultural literature Contexts and details: reference points from which children can compare : e.g. food, games, clothes, home life, school life, family, aspirations. Comparisons not outdated - relevant to our times. Does Multicultural include historical?

9. Evaluating multicultural literature Literary elements: grounded in reality - children can relate to situations and events. Characters, setting and plot need to have internal and external integrity. Be engaging and believable.

10. Writing multicultural literature 3 categories of writers about other cultures. Indigenous (translated) - writers with first hand internal experience of the culture Worked or lived there, and mediate culture from second hand view (acts as an interpreter of culture for non-indigenous readers) Never been there - represent culture from third hand, “obtained” knowledge Which kind of author is best? Why?

11. Writing multicultural literature Possible pitfalls of writing about other cultures Tourism (Trivial, superficial, travelogue approach) Romanticism (glorified picture) Moral lectures from perspective of writer’s culture

12. Writing multicultural literature Possible pitfalls of writing about other cultures Stereotyping (especially from colonial or dominating perspective) Overzealous enthusiast who has to tell readers every technical detail about the culture (positive or negative, relevant or not)

13. Evaluating multicultural literature Criteria for Judging Books from Other Cultures. Strong evocation of culture/place/time Natural treatment of customs and codes of behaviour Strong universal themes Well structured story Deepens understanding of culture presented and issues covered