(Ü/PS) Explorations of the Imagination: An Introduction to Children's Literature through Neil Gaiman

In light of G.K. Chesterton's assertion that "[f]airy tales are more than true: not because they tell us that dragons exist, but because they tell us that dragons can be beaten", Neil Gaiman's Coraline (2002) is exemplary of how children's literature explores the thin line between 'fantasy' and 'reality' and opens new ways of understanding self and world.

Starting our exploration with a brief introduction to the reading and understanding of literature, this seminar will critically examine representations of childhood and adulthood as well as aspects of gender, age, and belonging through a close reading of the text. We will investigate the role of children's literature in processes of socialisation and identity formation, with special attention to Gaiman's blending of different literary traditions – such as the fairy tale, bildungsroman, or Gothic and horror story – which put fear, violence, and struggle in relation to learning and (personal) growth.

So, grab your keys and get ready to explore. And please do (not) forget to lock the door…

Please buy and read:

Gaiman, Neil (2002). Coraline. Illus. Dave McKean. New York: HarperTrophy. [ISBN 978-0-06-057591-5]

Additional material will be provided during the term.