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Thesis
During the 1800’s and 1900’s American children’s literature changed drastically from the golden age to the hurried child syndrome. The golden age was from 1800 until 1950 where children’s literature was about the independent child, and adventure. It then changed to hurried child syndrome in 1950. Books from this time period changed to address more serious matter like death, war, illnesses and homosexuality. These books represented what was going on in the world, and they helped children to cope -
Period: to
American Children's Literature
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The Golden Age
The golden age is the time in which child hood was preserved and cherished. Children were encouraged to learn through playing and having fun. Books were made according to these ideas. Books contained worlds of adventure and exploration, nurturing the young minds and protecting childhood. During this time there was a rise in children’s literature, making the subject even more popular and still a best selling topic to this day. -
Independent Children
During the golden age of literature there were many reoccurring themes in many children’s novels but the most common was the independent child. What this theme means is that the child would separate from their parents and would go off on their own. From being alone, the children would try new things and learn valuable life lessons. The would finally be reunited with there parents at the end of the story. -
Mark Twain
Mark Twain is a famous American author born November 30, 1835. He was a literary genius whose work is known all across North America. His most famous piece is “The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn”, which was published in 1894. Before Mark Twain ever became an author he was a river pilot. When his trade was brought to a standstill during the civil war he became an author influencing the childhood of thousands of young readers. His book, “Huckleberry Finn” is a perfect example from the golden age a -
American Civil War
The American Civil War was a war fought between states. It started April 1861 and ended April 1865. The origin of the war was slavery and state’s rights. The brutal conflict of the American Civil War brought forth a new topic in children’s literature. Books of this time period dealt with the war itself, and the toll it took on everything and everyone else. Some popular children’s books include, “Cecil’s Story”, “ Soldier’s Heart” and “Pink and Say” -
Louisa May Alcott
Louisa May Alcott was an American novelist who wrote Little Women in 1868. Like most other books written in this time period, it deals with war and the effects it has on people. It is the story of the March family girls after they lose their wealth while their father is at war. The children in the novel have to make very important decisions much like the hurried child syndrome suggests. It also discusses mature subjects like death and illnesses -
The Red Badge of Courage
The Red Badge of Courage is a novel written by Stephan Crane in 1895. Like other famous novels of this time period, the story is about war. It takes place during the American civil war and is about a young soldier fleeing from combat. The author, Stephan Crane was born in 1871 after the war had ended.. His book gained popularity for its realistic battle scenes and how it was different from all other war narratives. -
Dr Seuss
Dr. Seuss was a famous American author who started writing in 1925. He continued to write novels representing the golden age of children’s literature. It represented this age because of all the magical elements to his stories as well as them usually involving kids going off on their own and exploring. Dr.Seuss became a very famous author for all his work because of his rhyming and made up words that captured the hearts of those who read it. Some of his books include, “The Cat and the Hat”, “Gr -
World War 2
World War 2 began in Europe on September 3rd 1939 when Germany attacked Poland unprovoked. It involved 61 countries and 1.7 million people. It ended in May of 1945 after 50 million people were killed and millions more injured. Then end of the war started the hurried child syndrome where children were forced to grow up very quickly. This changed American literature as it now dealt with mature subject matters like death. -
Hurried Child Syndrome
The hurried child syndrome first started to appear in 1950. It refers to the theory where children were rushed through their childhood. Children were now exposed to the ‘real world’ and were involved with decision making. American children’s literature changed from the golden age to this following the end of World War 2. After the war, children’s books began to deal with mature subjects like homosexuality, drugs and death. -
Children Face Realistic Issues
The hurried child theme caused great changes in children’s literature. The theme of children’s literature changed from independent children to realistic issues. More mature topics began to surface like, death, drugs and homosexuality. This theme became popular because tough subjects like death and war were happening in the children’s lives at the time. Reading books about these topics helped children understand what was happening around them and to help them come to peace with these issues.
