How Childhood and Children are Portrayed in Literature?

Author's assumptions about Children

Introduction

It's kind of fun to do the impossible (Walt Disney).

Childhood is regarded as the golden part of an individual's life. We grow up hearing fairy tales and similar stories. But, as we grow up, we realize that the real world is quite different from what was portrayed in such stories. Usually children's stories are written - keeping some basic assumptions about the target audience in mind. A children's story almost always includes some interesting characters, is usually filled with pictures; and is not usually realistic, but ends with a positive message.

Discussion

When writing a children's story; an author assumes that children are naïve and will believe in any character that intrigues them. The basic idea of a children's story is to inspire and interest the child so that it can relate to the situations and characters portrayed in the story. The characters and situations in the story could be anything; as long as they are able to grip the reader and make them believe in the progression of the story.

Firstly, an author of children's story is not bound to be realistic. He/she can choose any character that would intrigue children or would be exciting to them. Fantasy allows the author to explore a vast horizon. It also gives the author a fair chance to make the story wild and interesting. Most of the famous childhood stories are completely based on fiction i.e. Aladdin, Batman, Cinderella etc.

In the first act of the play Peter Pan, Peter says “I never cry” (Barrie 1915). This conversation between Wendy and Peter clearly shows that the author assumes children to be sensitive and emotional. The writer here portrays Peter; as a child in denial.

In the second act, the author assumes that ...