English Children's Literature: Themes


Figure 1.--"The Senior Prefect" by Stanley Morris is a story about conflict and rivarly between boys at an old boys English public (private) school. There is no publishing date but it was published ny T. Nelson in 1932. Judging by the cover's illustration (the collars), it seems to take place in the early 20th century. The book was illustrated by J. Philips Patterson.

English children's books are often written in fairly familar settings and the children outfitted in standard clothing of the day. The themes seem much more staid than some of the French literature that we have reviewed. One of the most popular setting was school, but interestingly they were almost always the exclusive public (private) schools attended by a frction of English children. Sports stories were also popular, but again these were the games (sports) played at the exclusive public schools. Settings often include summer visits to aunty or grandma and all kinds of ensuing adventures. Sometimes running away from home might be addressed or mysteties in the home town. There were a few fantasies such as, of course, James Barrie's Peter Pan and C.S. Lewis' Narnia Adventures. Some stories dealt with Britain's Empire, such as Kipling's Kim.

Overview

English children's books are often written in fairly familar settings and the children outfitted in standard clothing of the day. The themes seem much more staid than some of the French literature that we have reviewed.

Empire

Some stories dealt with Britain's Empire, such as Kipling's Kim.

Fantasies

There were a few fantasies such as, of course, James Barrie's Peter Pan and C.S. Lewis' Narnia Adventures.

Foreign Countries

We note a lot of stories about children in other countries. Children were apparently curioos about what it was like growing up in other countries. This was especially true before so much information was avvaible from television, movies, magazines, and now the internet. Until after World War II there were real differnces from country to country, even in Europe, depending on where you were rsised. That included clothing. Since the war there has been a general homoginizing process in both culture and clothing throughout Europe. Many of the differences that once existed no longer exist, as least to the degree they once did. As a result these country stories are no longer as common.

School

One of the most popular setting was school, but interestingly they were almost always the exclusive public (private) schools attended by a frction of English children. The first school story was Thomas Hughes' Tom Brown’s Schooldays (1857), but it was more adult than children's literature. Kipling’s Stalky and Co. (1899) is perhaps the next most famous school story. Sports called games are normally paramount in most school stories. Status in the school novels came from hard earned accolades on the games field. Academic or musical talent stood for very little. In the normal school story, the intelectual was generally a desident. The hero was normally a clever boy who did not apply himself. There was a finally developed code of behavior expected from the boys. Honesty was expected above all else. It was absolutely not allowed for a boy to tell on another school mate, no matter how vile his behavior. There were several series of school books, including Billy Bunter, Biggles, and Jennings. Also boys were not expected to show their wealth and family connections at school, interesting in that the mere fact that they were attending these schools set them out as a privlidged minority. One of the most important school hero was Biggles, but he went on to become an important aviator. Jennings was set at a prep school rather than a public school. Some series were based mre on te scol than the boy, suc as Priory School--of course a public school.

Sports (Games)

Sports stories were also popular, but again these were the games (sports) played at the exclusive public schools.

Summer Vacation

Settings often include summer visits to aunty or grandma and all kinds of ensuing adventures.

Other

Sometimes running away from home might be addressed or mysteties in the home town.







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>br> Created: October 12, 2002
Last updated: September 1, 2003