trauma in children’s literature. common features death in children’s lit main characters don’t...

Trauma in children’s literature

Common features

Death in children’s lit• Main characters don’t die, or die naturally• Death is usually off stage• Death is given a meaningDeath in adolescent lit• The good die early• Death is not natural• Many deaths happen on stage• Round characters die

Death or severe trauma: Stages of acceptance

(Elizabeth Kubler Ross)

1. denial- mother’s dead and she’s talking about grasshoppers

2. anger- Don’t blame me, it was my father’s fault

3. grief- nothing goes right

4. depression- feeling consumed, runs away. On train, gains empathy and forgives father, and returns home.

5. Acceptance- returns home, father goes to doctor, liking Louise, Louise goes to grave

A few examples• denial- mother’s dead and she’s talking about grasshoppers• 73- Birthday• anger- Don’t blame me, it was my father’s fault• 78- The Hole (goes from denial to anger)• 80- Kilaeau - Pure rage• grief- nothing goes right• 100- Christmas without Cranberry Sauce• depression- feeling consumed, runs away. On train, gains

empathy and forgives father, and returns home.• 136- No Good• 153- Heartsick• 156- Fire on the rails• 188- old bones• acceptance• 205- Met (the beginning)• 216- My life… (lots of symbols of mother)• 227- Finding a Way. Last page (looking in mirror at Louise.)