Deconstructing the Hero: Literary Theory and Children's LiteratureThis book sets out to explore the structure and meanings within the most popular of all literary genres - the adventure story. Deconstructing the Hero offers analytical readings of some of the most widely read adventure stories such as Treasure Island, the James Bond stories and Star Wars. The book describes how adventure stories are influential in shaping children's perception and establishing values. |
Contents
INTRODUCTION | 1 |
THE STORY | 9 |
The power of the myth | 10 |
Dualism and binary oppositions | 15 |
The heros point of view | 38 |
The linear journey | 45 |
Closure | 51 |
THE HERO | 58 |
white savages | 144 |
Ogres darkness and shadows | 151 |
THE WOMEN | 156 |
Mothers | 161 |
Goddesses fairy godmothers and others | 167 |
Witches and bitches | 174 |
Brides | 193 |
Relationships | 200 |
Class and mastery | 62 |
Gender | 68 |
Age | 72 |
Relationships | 76 |
Rationality | 88 |
Action and violence | 96 |
THE WILD THINGS | 107 |
Dragons | 111 |
Wolves and other beasts | 118 |
human beasts | 129 |
REWRITING THE STORY | 203 |
gender | 206 |
public and private space | 216 |
civilization and wilderness | 219 |
Denying dualism | 224 |
Changing the point of view | 228 |
Conclusions | 233 |
236 | |
246 | |
Other editions - View all
Deconstructing the Hero: Literary Theory and Children's Literature Margery Hourihan Limited preview - 2005 |
Deconstructing the Hero: Literary Theory and Children's Literature Margery Hourihan Limited preview - 2005 |
Deconstructing the Hero: Literary Theory and Children's Literature Margery Hourihan Limited preview - 1997 |