British and Anglo-American children's literature as an instrument of change [Elektronski vir] = La littérature britannique et américaine médiatrice de changement
Mazi-Leskovar, Darja
Children's literature is traditionally represented as a mirror of societal attitudes to children and as a means for the formation of new generations according to the established standards in a ...particular society. However, no society is immune to artistic creation, and children's books in translation particularly tend to challenge the locally promoted ways of representation of childhood in culture. Non-implied readers are thus encouraged to discover new aspects of their own microcosm, to find alternative answers to the old questions. Books from a foreign culture can therefore contribute to secret changes of heart and mind, leading to more obvious changes in relationships and even to drastic changes that history books will write about. Changes in culture that characterize the last decade of the 20th century and the start ofthe new millenium are revealed in various ways, most drastically perhaps through the establishment of new democratic countries and the unification of Europe. Both projects are the realization of the old dreams, cherished throughdifferent channels, among which the positive influence of children's literature is also to be estimated. My paper will be based on the assumption that books which display artistically convincing literary elements that can enhance the sensibility of the intended audience for the societal issues may present a valuable contribution also to the development of the awareness of non-intended readers. The translations of Mildred Taylor's Thunder Hear My Cry, Lois Lowry's Anastasia Krupnik, Louis Sachar's Holes and Roal Dahl's Matilda can thus be viewed as instruments of change also with respect to Slovenian readers who for decades needed encouragement to express their point of view and to struggle to be heard. Besides, the four books highly value critical thinking and successfully deconstruct stereotypes. By pointing to the limits of authority, these texts indirectly question any form of totalitarism and promote tolerance and the culture of dialogue. How could readers not be influenced by the ideas of plausible characters in an inspiring setting and convincing form? Moreover, the books display issues that each generation and each individual has to face anew, hence they can be considered at least as a potential means of change of both, children and mainstream culture.
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