HANDOUT 1 – EDUC1087
LESSON 2: PERIOD OF DEVELOPMENT OF CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENT
LITERATURE
Classical Period
All literary works began with the use of ancient oral storytelling. People began to tell stories to
comfort each other, establish relationships, and entertain or teach their young ones. They also tell
stories to introduce their religion, tradition, culture, and values. The classical period can be
traced from 500 BC to 400 AD. During this time, most of the children literature was also told by
adults. Children heard similar stories as adults did. Children grew up with the stories of the
adventures of Hercules, Aesop's fables, Homer's "Iliad and Odyssey," Ovid's metamorphosis, and
the story of gods and goddesses or the creation of the world. The known literature during the
classical period is of Greek and Roman origins, such as myths and epics. The literary works
during the classical period are characterized as subtle in thought. They use direct expressions,
adhere to form, portray archetypal characters, carry a moral message. Most of the classic literary
writers focused on showing truth and beauty.
Literary works during the classical period share common elements. These include memorable
characters and distinct protagonists with notable characteristics. Most themes explore human
experiences and depict human conditions and the forces around them. The writing styles include
figurative languages such as metaphors, symbolism, hyperbole, simile, personification, irony,
and juxtaposition.
The stories of the classical period are both stimulating and fascinating. These are important parts
of our literary and cultural heritage. Classic literature serves as a vessel for readers to be
transported to the very distant past, and explore and view different perspectives. It also helps
them connect to nature, discover the cultural orientation of the past including the beliefs,
traditions, and practices.
Medieval Period
During the medieval period or middle-ages, literature is characterized as religious and highly
biblical or romantic, with embedded realism and fantasy. People used stories for teaching morals
to children. The period started from 478 AD, the time when the Roman Empire fell and
European civilization weakened. It stretched to the beginning of the 14ª century. Religion was a
huge influence in terms of education during the middle-ages due to the domination and influence
of the Roman Catholic Church. Biblical stories, such as the stories of saints, were popular to
teach children. Among the known stories based on oral traditions are the story of "Noah" and the
great flood, "Cain and Abel," "Adam and Eve," and the "Tower of Babel". Many stories of heroic
adventures were also familiar in the search for places to spread Catholic teaching. To avoid theft,
the books were chained to the libraries during the medieval period. Since books were expensive,
oral tradition or oral storytelling was used as the mode for entertainment. Storytellers and
wandering entertainers recited stories and different poems to amaze people. The tale of "King
Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table" fascinated children and adults alike. The heroic
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stories of "Roland" from France and "Cid" from Spain were widespread. "Beowulf" and his
opponent Grendel, the beast, were two of the prominent characters during the medieval period.
During the middle-ages, the recording of literature commenced. Written literary works started
with the monks' lesson books for the young people during the old English period. The Bishop of
Sherborne, Aldhelm (640-700 A.D), had also written books for children, in which he wrote
verses and riddles. Alfred the Great (349-399 A.D.) translated literature in Latin to Anglo-Saxon.
The Archbishop of Canterbury, Ansel (1033-1109 A.D.) published the Bible. William Caxton
(1476) created the first printer and published the fables of Aesop, the Legend of King Arthur and
his knights, the Song of Roland an old French epic, the heroism of El Cid, the valor Beowulf
from the Norse. These stories are still prominent even today.
Renaissance Period
The renaissance period marked the new era in Europe around 1400 to 1700 or during the 14th to
16th century. It was the time when new ideas were formed. Roman and Greek literature were
reintroduced. There was emphasis on intellectual and spiritual development. Changes were
brought about by the crusades that opened the trading in Asian countries, which brought new
ideas to European countries. Stable kingdoms were established as stronger rulers were installed.
Johannes Guttenberg discovered the printing press, an idea which came from China. This
allowed the multiple productions of books and spread information easily during the renaissance
period.
Educational books were also first printed, and most of the books were made for younger readers.
Sir Thomas Elyot produced "The Book Named the Governor" in 1531. Roger Ascham printed
"The Scholemaster" in 1570, a book on courtesy. This book emphasized the proper manners and
behavior for young boys. The growing numbers of Protestant members created religious conflict
with the Roman Catholics. This conflict and violent deaths were depicted in John Foxe's "Book
of Martyrs." This book became famous to school children. Further, a book for teaching Latin
through pictures, was also produced by John Comenius entitled "Orbis Sensualism."
The production of books opened the door to mass education as schools became an essential
aspect of a Puritan child's upbringing. As books became the major source of information, the
price of books became expensive. Those who cannot afford to buy books went for cheaper ones
such as the Chapbooks that contained fairy tales. Another popular book was the Hornbook,
where stories were written on a piece of wood with a square shape. The pages were made of
velum typically calf or lambskins, which were protected by a piece of horn that was transparent.
The book was bound by a metallic rim. The texts consisted of prayers and biblical stories.
The 18th Century
During the early 18th century, books were produced to teach children or
emphasize morals. Instructions were devoted to religious pursuits. The
Augustinian philosophy had a great influence on teaching children.
Instructions were based on different philosophies; intellectual development
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was given a premium. Children's minds were believed to be blank slates, as
John Locke explained in his essay. In this idea, children were believed to
have an equal opportunity to learn. Adults could imprint in the children's
minds, and if best educated, children could grow into intelligent, highly
independent individuals. Children are believed to be inherently good. Jean-
Jacques Rousseau advocated the importance of living life with simplicity. He
also propelled didactic writing for children. Moralistic tales were produced.
John Newberry wrote books that reflected the children's characteristics
during the 18th century. He is considered the Father of Children's Literature.
His books include A Little Pretty Pocket-Book, which is produced to teach and
entertain children. Folktales were revived during the 18th century. The
"Tales of Mother Goose" was introduced which was written by Charles
Perrault of France in 1697 and translated into English. Fairytales became
popular such as the stories of "Sleeping Beauty," "Cinderella," "Little Red
Riding Hood," and many other fairy tales that are still popular today. Mme.
De Beaumont retold the popular fairy tale "Beauty and the Beast." The Tales
from the "Arabian Nights" that include "Aladdin and His Lamp" and "Sinbad
the Sailor" were published by Elizabeth Newberry in 1791. Hans Christian
Anderson wrote fairy tales that include the "The Princess and the Pea," "The
Little Mermaid", "The Nightingale," "The Steadfast Soldiers," "Emperor's New
Clothes," "The Red Shoes," "The Snow Queen," "Thumbelina" and "The Ugly
Duckling." Social classes became distorted during this period as the middle
class started to encroach on nobility, while the upper-class members
retaliated.
The 18th century also marked the slow change of the female gender
perception, and this was depicted in their literature. Women writers who
surfaced were M. Cooper and M. Boreman wrote "The Christmas-Box", Jane
Austin, and many other female literary writers.
The Victorian Age
The Victorian Age was characterized as the rise of modern fantasy. The years
1837 to 1901 were considered the Golden Age of children's literature. A
rapid change and advancement in medicine, scientific discoveries, technical
knowledge occurred during this period. The bulk of literature for children was
attributed to the better status of women and the emergence of more
talented writers. Carroll's "Alice in Wonderland" broke the didactic ideas in
literature for children in 1865.
In the middle and towards the second half of the 19th century, boys' stories
dominate children's literature. Louis Stevenson wrote "Treasure Island,",
Clemens "The Adventures of Tom Sawyer" in 1876, and 1884 the
"Adventures of Huckleberry Finn." Women writers Susan Warner wrote "The
Wide, Wide World" in 1850, and Louisa May Alcott produced the popular
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"Little Women" in 1868, which depicted strong characterization and moral
value. Frank Baum produced "The Wonderful Wizard of Oz," depicted the
classic U.S. modern fantasy for young readers, in 1900.
The Edwardian Era
The Edwardian era occurred between 1901 to 1915, where the ideas of
childhood experienced a cultural change, which considered the idea that "a
child is central to childhood." This became the defining mood of the period
that dictated children's literature.
Children's literature became more subjective." The Tale of Peter Rabbit"
written in 1901, "The Phoenix and the Carpet" in 1904, "The Railway
Children" in 1906 were a few of Beatrix Potter's literary pieces. The story of
"Peter Pan," which was written by J.M. Barrie was a popular piece during this
period specified in 1904, and Kenneth Grahame's "A Wind in the Willows" in
1908 made a mark. Other literary pieces produced during this period were
Frances Hodgson Burnett's "A Little Princess in 1905 and the "Secret Garden
in 1910, the satirical verse of Hilaire Belloc was collected in the "Cautionary
Tales for Children" in 1907.
The 20th Century
The 20th century was considered the era of fantasy writing in children's
literature due to the emergence of many fantasy figures. This period was
known for the production of picture storybooks, the personification of toy
animals. Hugh Lofting produced "The Story of Doctor Dolittle" in 1920, A.A.
Milne wrote "Winnie-the-Pooh" in 1926, which personified toy animal stories.
Laura Ingalls also wrote "Whose Little House in Big Woods in 1932. Further,
P. L. Traver wrote "Mary Poppins" in 1943. The popularity of series books
rose during the 20th century such as "The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe"
in 1950 by C.S. Lewis, "The Hobbit" by J.R.R. Tolkien, which became a
prequel to his work of art "The Lord of the Rings" which became a very
successful movie. Classic adventure "The Charlotte Web" by E.B. White, that
featured a definitive animal fantasy was produced.
The rise of new realism occurred after World War II. These resulted in the
diversity of world cultures depicted in children's literature. It opened a more
liberal approach to children's literature. Roald Dahl, a British author,
produced "James and the Giant Peach" in 1961. It was followed by "Charlie
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and the Chocolate Factory," "The Witches," "Fantastic Mr. Fox," and "Matilda.
In 1970, Judy Blume produced her novels "Are You There God?", "Margaret",
"It's Me", "Deannie," and "Blubber."
During the late 20th century, heroes portrayed literature came in different
colors and much of the literature written for children were adapted to films.
Using the ideas, styles, and forms of the previously written literary pieces for
children, and integrating technology and science, the late 20th century
writers were more experimental in creating something new and fresh. The
surge of children's literature with grew in modern days. J.K Rowling's "Harry
Potter" became famous like Lois Lowry's "The Giver," Sachar's "Holes," Philip
Pullman's "His Dark Materials.
