Kids Read Fantasy to Escape & Comfort

[Ludibunda]

The article by Tollesson confirms what I see as an elementary teacher. While a well-rounded library is preferred, students are currently flocking to fanstasy books with Tolkien-type themes. This is not surprising in a time when classroom discussion often must center on bombing, sniper attacks, gassing and intruder drills. Even the curriculum of Black Civil Rights, Holocaust Horrors, Native American History, and the struggle for Gay Rights presents a stressfull and dark reality.
By escaping to lands like Middle-earth and Narnia, students may not avoid the violence, but at least the lines of good and evil are clearly drawn. Most often good vanquishes evil in a happy(ish) ending.
Huck Finn (played by Elijah Wood if you like) still experiences parental abuse and racism. This provides no escape from the horrific realities some kids face. Even Judy Blume's Ramona has to deal with her father's unemployment.
Of course, kids need to cope with reality. And all book characters meet problems to solve. But my observations have been that students are preferring to escape or meet their fears in a land different from our own, with characters who present clear allegiance and where good is certain to triumph.

[Bonos-Girl]

i guess it depends on how drawn into books you get. if you read books and enjoy them, but don't really get taken into the story that much then it won't be much defence against the owrld, but if you really get into the story then i guess it probably provides some great relief for peple (probably not just kids either).

i think it's quite good that peopel can escape to other lands to, not run, but kinda get rid of, their problems for a while. it can give them strength and help them work out what decisions to take and stuff.

[Tári Celebrindal]

Originally posted by Bonos-Girl
i think it's quite good that peopel can escape to other lands to, not run, but kinda get rid of, their problems for a while. it can give them strength and help them work out what decisions to take and stuff.

i agree. and i think that separating oneself from problems temporarily lets the person see the wider picture. thank eru for tolkien and the like for providing an escape route.

[Cuiel Rilwen]

...and not only an escape route, but also means to get the perspective on what can be done, what one can manage, what is the right thing to do. I can't say my childhood was troubblesome in any way due to adults surrounding me, and looking back, I think my upbringing has been better than many people I grew up with. But at least I know that Tolkien has given me the aid I needed to move on in my life, not once, but twice! When it comes to his work, I wouldn't be worried. None other Fantasy- author I have read has the same simplicity, yet the immense depth. But then in my opinion he wasn't the typical fantasywriter!:)

What can be a certain danger are all the less good authors that try to make money on the hype, and some kids may not see this for what it is simply because of their young age. Just look at the Potter-hype! Lots of people are trying to ride on that wave! I guess all kids read bad literature, at least I did. How are you else gonna learn how to recognize a good book from a bad if you have nothing to compare with?

I wonder if this is a worse escape than f. ex. teenagers crushes on moviestars. Dreaming about an idol is kind of the same thing, but this isn't considered dangerous for young minds. I think its all a part of growing up, but the world is changing, and so does the ways of it. If the kids today really tend to go too far astray into a story, the story itself isn't the problem. Again the adults are to blaim, for not being there, for not talking enough, not listening enough, not teaching our young ones to handle their lives. Many adults have lost THEIR perspective on what's their most important job; namely to help their kids to grow into complete humans!

[Winyaél Greenleaf]

I agree. Reading is a healthy hobby anyway.