The dictionary definition of courage is bravery or boldness. In the set texts of Little Women and Treasure Island, courage is defined through the interaction of the characters, the situation and their reactions to it. Thus, there are different aspects of courage explored throughout the texts resulting in either in physical or psychological pain or a mixture to the characters.
In this essay, I will analysis the method that each author employs to inform the reader of courage, discuss some aspects of courage explored in the texts and look at how courage differs between the genders.
Alcott uses characterisation to display courage. She builds the characters over a period through their words, actions and appearance in conjunction with other characters comments and an omniscient authorial voice (Lukens, 2003). The character of Beth has a shy manner and timid voice, staying at home and who admits to being afraid of people. She is ‘dear’ to other characters and the author tells the reader her pet name is mouse. Yet this character shows courage by thanking Mr Laurence, who frightens her, for her piano causing Meg to exclaim that ‘the world is coming to an end’ (Little Women p.63) Alcott enhances this action through intertextuality to Pilgrims Progress where Mr Laurence is one of the biggest lions guarding the Palace Beautiful. Beth is the foil for the main protagonist, Jo for whom this behaviour is normal as evidence by her statement of Mr Laurence ‘I’m sure now that I shouldn’t be afraid of him’ (Little Women p.52). This illustrates that there are different levels of courage dependant on the characteristics of the character.
Stevenson (2009) admits in his essay about his first novel that he does not use psychology and fine writing wh...
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... (eds), Children’s Literature Classic Text and Contemporary Trends, Basingstoke, Palgrave Macmillan in association with Open University
Loxley, D. (2009) ‘Slaves to adventure: The Pure Story of Treasure Island’ in Montgomery H and Watson N (eds), Children’s Literature Classic Text and Contemporary Trends, Basingstoke, Palgrave Macmillan in association with Open University
Lukens, R. (2003) ‘Character’, A critical Handbook of Children’s Literature, Boston (USA), Ablong
Reynolds (2009), http://learn.open.ac.uk/file.php/6764/!via/resourcepage/59898199/6764/moddata/resourcepage/ea300_dvd1_Boys_and_girls_reading_19th_century_transcript.doc
Stevenson, R. (2009) ‘My first Book: ‘Treasure Island’’, in Montgomery H and Watson N (eds), Children’s Literature Classic Text and Contemporary Trends, Basingstoke, Palgrave Macmillan in association with Open University
Wilson, Nance S. “ZINDEL, Paul.” Continuum Encyclopedia Of Children’s Literature (2003): 848-849. Literary Reference Center. Web. 24 Jan. 2014.
...ia J. Campbell. New York: Twayne Publishers, 1996. 39-65. Rpt. in Children's Literature Review. Ed. Scot Peacock. Vol. 82. Detroit: Gale, 2003. Literature Resources from Gale. Web. 14 Jan. 2014.
Clive Staples Lewis was born in Belfast, Northern Ireland to Albert J. Lewis and Florence Hamilton Lewis (Lewis Foundation) on November 29, 1898 (Gormley 2). As a child, Clive Staples Lewis immediately disliked his name and wanted to be referred to as “Jack” and was sometimes called “Jacksie” (Id. 1). As a young child, Jack enjoyed playing and exploring with his older brother in the family home called “Little Lea” (Id. 7). He also enjoyed reading and at a young age started making up stories and poems(Imbornoni). His favorite books included Treasure Island by Robert Stevenson and The Secret Garden by Frances Burnett (Id.). Another favorite activity of his was playing in a carved wood wardrobe that his grandfather made, this was the wardrobe that later inspired the entrance to Narnia (Gormley 125).
...t wealth, valuables, and his own ethical adulthood, which is a treasure in itself. Treasure Island is a tale that indulges readers at an unconscious level because the readers can relate to Jim’s quest to find himself. (Cliff Notes)
Although Twain’s The Adventures of Tom Sawyer is primarily a children’s book, to older generations, it is reminiscent of childhood times. In fact, in the preface to the first edition of The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, Twain noted that “part of my plan [in writing The Adventures of Tom Sawyer]
Rey, H. A. Curious George. Twentieth Century Children’s Book Treasury. Selected by Janet Schulman. New York: Knopf, 1998. 88-95.
Bravery is evident in today’s literature as shown in Summer Sisters. In the book Summer Sisters, Vix goes to stay with Caitlyn and her family for a summer. Vix’s bond with her summer family forever reshapes her ties with her own (Book Browse). The summer she fell passionately in love opened doors to opportunities Vix had never imagined (Book Browse). Throughout the book the paths that the women choose are explored and readers find the bravery of each woman as they balance the fine line between friendship and betrayal (Book Browse).
Senick, Gerard J., and Hedblad, Alan. Children’s Literature Review: Excerpts from Reviews, and Commentary on Books for Children and Young People (Volumes 14, 34, 35). Detroit, Michigan: Gale Research, 1995..
Dictionary- reference defines courage as “the quality of mind or spirit that enables a person to face difficulty, danger, pain, etc., without fear; bravery” In the book, To Kill A Mockingbird, Harper Lee expresses courage in many ways through the novel. In the novel, nearly every character display courage in their life. Courage is the inner desire to succeed and to do what is right, no matter what consequences of your decision. Throughout the novel, Atticus define courage as "I wanted you to see what real courage is, instead of getting the idea that courage is a man with a gun in his hand. It's when you know you're licked before you begin but you begin anyway and you see it through no matter what.” One of the central topics of the novel is that a man of courage is a man who doesn’t run away but fight against his enemy even though they know they going to lose.
Throughout the past fifty years, Maurice Sendak has been a challenging and inventive voice for children’s literature. His work will continue to be entertaining and educational for young children and adults alike for many years to come. Sendak has won many awards for his work in children’s literature; however, much controversy surrounds his work. Sendak’s books have had grotesque characters, kids becoming “wild things”, kids get stolen by goblins, kids are eaten by lions, and some kids are naked. Through all the controversy that has surrounded Sendak’s books, he has risen to success.
Courage is a well-used theme throughout many important novels, this specific theme is a very important aspect of any good story. For example, In, Miss Peregrine’s Home For Peculiar Children, the theme of courage is most definitely a salient focus. It is of frantic use throughout this novel and is shown in many different ways. In the novel, Miss Peregrine's Home For Peculiar Children, the theme of courage is displayed through the characters of Emma Bloom, Millard Nullings, and Jacob Portman.
Children’s literature has a subversive linear pattern within the dominant circular journey in traditional children`s literature. The basic pattern in children`s literature is the circular journey. That is, the plot follows the trajectory home-departure from home-adventure-return home. The purpose of the journey is the maturing of the child including the reader, but the return home is a matter of maturity and the change of thinking. In the article, Mid-Summer Night’s Dream it talks about how most fairy tales the protagonists escape from the real world and go on a journey into the fantasy world, which in the end the protagonists return to the real world becoming more self-confident, knowledgeable, and adjusted individual. For example, in the novel, and Water Babies written by Charles Kingsley, Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, written by Lewis Carroll, and Peter Pan, written by J.M. Barrie’s, we can see many examples of this kind of circular journey to life. The linear pattern is much more attractive but it demands quite an amount of courage for a child to accept the absence of their home and live a “perfect” life. This means that children`s literature has real, argumentative readers, and practical consequential issues.
"Children's Literature - Early History, Fairy and Folk Tales, Victorian Childrens Literature, Contemporary Childrens Literature - Encyclopedia of Children and Childhood in History and Society." Internet FAQ Archives - Online Education - Faqs.org. Web. 18 Oct. 2010. .
Treasure Island, published in 1883 is one of his most famous adventure and action stories. It’s arguably Stevenson’s most famous work. It’s a Bildungsroman, “coming-of-age story” which focuses on the psychological and moral growth of the character from youth to adulthood. Stevenson was very intrigued with ...
In the juxtaposition created by the reluctant combination of the roles of the mother and the tradeswoman, it is perhaps foremost a tragic contradiction within Mother Courage's character, rather than her role as a tragic heroine, that is emphasized. Alternatively, this contrast could be interpreted as an indication that Mother Courage is morally "neither all good nor all bad"...