Critical Response #5

Theorists of children's literature suggest that children's literature serves as a reflection of a culture, that it mirrors what and how we want our children to be, what we expect of them. Using Pinocchio and one other novel (not fairy tale) we have read this semester, consider how these novels portray children and childhood. What do they seem to say about children and childhood? What are their capacities? What do these texts suggest that children and childhood is or should be? If it helps, you can think of this as a compare/contrast.

And have fun with it.

Guidelines and Helpful Hints:

• A minimum of 700 words (please provide your word count at the end of your paper)
• Have an introduction wherein you state the idea, speculation, or question with which your working; a body where you explore that idea, speculation, or question; a conclusion that gives your reader something to think about.
• Include quotations from the novel that advance/support your idea, speculation, or question. Note the page numbers, and include your works cited.
• Go beyond the obvious
• Avoid generalizations