engleski

Dystopia in Children's Fiction

The thesis analyses how dystopia, the idea of an oppressive state or community, is presented in children’s and young adult literature. Six novels and a picturebook are analysed according to how the dystopian theme is elaborated, in order to determine common features of dystopian works for children. The analysis reveals four elements shared by dystopian works for children and young adults: the society, protagonists, memory, and message of hope. The relationship of a young reader towards the works with the dystopian theme is also analysed, as well as his role as an “active reader”. It is concluded that the dystopian works of children’s literature follow the guidelines of dystopian works for adults, but that they are, in certain ways, adapted to younger audiences. It is also concluded that the authors of children’s literature with the dystopian theme try to portray complex problems of the society, with the aim of motivating the young readers to question the world around them, as well as the future, which is to be shaped by human acitivities.

dystopia; utopia; children’s literature; young adult literature; the protagonist; message of hope; the dystopian reader

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