Introduction
Good literature evolves and captures the attention of a wide range of audiences. Classical tales were told to impart knowledge and cultural traditions. The world of children’s literature has changed and adapted to keep pace with a new generation. Children need books that help them make some sense of their universe.
Fiction opens and explains to the child the life of society and nature, as well as the world of human feelings and relationships. It develops the child’s thinking and imagination, enriching their emotions. Its educational, cognitive, and aesthetic significance is enormous, since expanding the child’s knowledge of the world around them affects their personality. Children’s books help them learn to understand themselves, others, their problems, and their feelings. Literature is the basis on which everything that follows in life is based.
Educational and Moral Role of Children’s Literature
Many children’s books are designed to educate and teach moral values. M. O. Grenby (2014) contends that children’s book authors have long believed it is part of their responsibility to educate their readers, whether it be about facts, religion, morals, social mores, modes of thought, or any other set of views or concepts. It provides children with substantial background information in areas such as history, geography, religion, and science.
Children who enter their pre-teen age usually have their own ideas about the main categories of morality – about good and evil, right and wrong. However, these ideas are often naive, so strong ethical guidance is necessary for children’s moral development. The examples from literature enable children to explore the complexity of relationships between people, the diversity of human characters, and the nuances of specific experiences. Children learn how to listen, observe, and then participate in the events in a tale. It develops their inclination to read, deepens their literary sense, and widens their imagination and perspectives.
This essay aims to analyze the value of moral stories in children’s literature and examine the notion of morality in this context. Furthermore, it will provide two examples of moral narratives in children’s books to investigate the moral themes presented in each narrative. The children’s literary works chosen for this study strongly resonate with imparting ethical values. Stories like Little Women by Louisa May Alcott and Raymie Nightingale by Kate DiCamillo illustrate that literature can be a powerful tool for teaching moral lessons.
Defining Morality in the Context of Children’s Stories
Philosophers and psychologists have defined the concept of morality. Still, in everyday language, it may be described as an individual’s or society’s judgment of what is perceived as the greatest good. This interpretation is founded on principles, guidelines, and concepts that serve as a basis for distinguishing right from wrong. Despite this, there is a clear cultural bias towards what constitutes “good.”
Conversely, morality is typically understood to relate to behaviors and attitudes that reinforce honesty, responsibility, empathy, fairness, kindness, and respect. According to Waters and Russell (2014), respect and accountability are the two essential components of morality, from which all other values are generated. The concept of respect may be broken down into two distinct components: respect for oneself and regard for others. Responsibility entails recognizing our own acts and lives and being obligated to openly participate in the community’s political, cultural, socioeconomic, and other activities.
It is possible to argue that morality lacks a precise definition because it can be understood in two distinct ways (Nelson, Claudia, and Patrick C. Fleming, 2016). The first is “descriptive,” which means a set of behavioral standards approved by a community or an individual. The latter method is called ‘normative,’ referring to rationally approved behavioral rules.
Both methods are elements of the morality concept. The complexity is in distinguishing between morality and religion. Since its dominant religious tradition shapes moral standards in a particular community, these standards would vary. Consequently, religious explanations and justifications are found within moral principles. Fleming (2016) argues that moral tales in children’s literature, like religious pamphlets, relate proper behavior to suitable rewards and punishments in a narrative that features realistic characters and events rather than magic and otherworldly creatures and events. As a result, the concepts of punishment and reward become standard in moral stories of children’s books.
Moral Story Tradition in Children’s Literature
According to Fleming (2016), during the latter half of the eighteenth century and the early nineteenth century in Britain, several new subgenres of children’s literature appeared, the most prominent of which was the moral story. Such stories, written to teach young readers essential life lessons, had a profound impact on the generation we now refer to as the Victorians. Engaging children’s minds is one of the most significant aspects of children’s literature, as it encourages them to become loyal and independent readers. Thus, a simple pleasure has the potential to develop into a deep-seated passion for literature.
Children can gain a deeper understanding of themselves and the world in which they live by reading literature written specifically for children (Rebecca, 2014). It enables them to explore new aspects of their surroundings and adequately prepares them for life. Children’s books can be very intriguing for instilling positive values and appropriate actions, as they enable children to better identify their subjectivity. Children need to develop reasoning skills, and stories can provide the ideal environment for them to do so.
In addition to providing children with role models and themes for discussion regarding ethical conundrums, children can see their reflections in the books they read (Mills, 2016). Morality in children’s books is on the rise, and it’s not just for the main characters or ones portrayed as “normal” or “like” the reader. Children are captivated by the characters’ actions and how they respond to those actions. They are allowed to contemplate what took place and how they would react if they were in a scenario similar to the one described in the story (Sainsbury, 2022). They assist children in being aware of what kinds of actions are beneficial and what behaviors should be avoided. When a child judges why they should or should not act in a given way, moral tales gain power.
Ethical Lessons in Little Women by Louisa May Alcott
Louisa May Alcott’s Little Women is a notable example of a moral tale in children’s literature due to the numerous ethical lessons embedded throughout the story. The importance of Alcott’s story can be reflected through the prism of the complexities that arise from the differences affecting young adult girls. The story teaches young girls to embrace their multidimensionality and recognize flaws and advantages that can be helpful in life. Instead of focusing on obstacles, young girls should empower themselves by working hard, learning more about their personalities, and promoting friendship (Arslan, 2020).
The social origins of the forces described in the novel are no longer present. However, empowering women still stands tall among other crucial topics in American literature. The fact that such ideas are included in children’s literature proves that morals are necessary. Education and work contribute to the main character’s transformation and help Alcott paint the bigger picture, where self-culture and self-reliance become more typical of women. Thus, the novel’s author empowers girls by helping them find their purpose in life and overcoming the stereotypical views popularized by society.
Mercy is the novel’s first and foremost moral theme. Despite their financial situation, Mrs. March has always been committed to helping the less fortunate and encouraged her four children to be compassionate and forgiving. On Christmas morning, the servant Hannah informs the girls that their mother distributes aid to needy people by visiting with them. In Mrs. March’s view, Mercy entails a sympathetic attitude toward low-income people and the willingness to make personal sacrifices for their well-being.
The third moral theme emphasizes the importance of respecting one’s family. A child’s family is the primary social institution, cultural icon, and formative influence. Since it is the foundation of society and the primary influence on an individual’s actions, the family is the first line of defense.
Moral Growth in Raymie Nightingale by Kate DiCamillo
Another example of a moral narrative is presented in Kate DiCamillo’s literary work. In DiCamillo’s tale, three completely unalike girls start a beautiful friendship despite being represented as rivals initially. The three-girl alliance hints at how strong friendship could help younger children overcome the complexities of the adult world via attachment. The unlikely partnership between these girls proves that larger goals require more than an emphasis on convenience if a compound objective has to be accomplished.
The main idea from DiCamillo’s tale is that the most random connections could result in the most tentative friendships where people support each other unconditionally (Kadhim, 2018). For each girl, the whole story is a challenging path they must take together to meet or exceed expectations. Even when things do not go as planned, the main characters do not get scared of improvising and pursuing their dreams together. Through disappointment, the girls gain wisdom and learn to build on what they have without giving up on their dreams. DiCamillo’s central lesson in the story is that people will always disappoint, and we must learn to go with it without depending on others too much.
Comparison of Alcott’s and DiCamillo’s Works
Communicating bits of knowledge in the form of stories is one of the oldest means of teaching children morals and their importance. The examples from the literature show that this practice eventually lets authors communicate messages without being too direct with the audience, especially children. The incredible variety of moral and cultural lessons that can be embedded in literature provides younger generations with numerous advantages. As the stories reviewed within the framework of the current paper show, there can be questions regarding cultural identity and the need for guidance that has to be maintained.
Alcott and DiCamillo help the younger audience recognize the role of morals and explain how different takes on behaviors and cultures could help overcome personal challenges. The thin line between right and wrong should be embedded in children’s literature because many young people do not have enough experience to reflect on the story and decide on their morals. Thus, both books reviewed within the framework of the current paper represent moral compasses that make it easier for children to make assessments and develop a better understanding of the world around them.
Conclusion
Children’s literature is an undeniably important part of general literature, but it is still a natural phenomenon. Great importance in the culture of childhood is traditionally attached to literature for the smallest. The system of genres also corresponds to the mental characteristics of each age. The general style of such literature facilitates the simplicity and accessibility of the text for the perception of children through the clarity of thought and the richness of the word and image.
The reviewed texts are devoted to educating children on kindness, responsiveness, mutual assistance, and justice. The stories are written so that children can understand and emphasize why people should be attentive to each other, relatives, and friends, and treat others with respect and benevolence. Characters show in their actions and words why it is necessary to come to the aid of a person when they need it, and offer strong moral examples. They also offer an important lesson: good deeds should be done without expecting praise.
The educational function of literature is carried out in a special way, inherent only in art, by the force of the impact of the artistic image. The art of the word reflects reality through artistic images, showing the most typical, comprehensive, and summarizing real-life facts. This helps the child to learn about life, form their attitude towards their environment.
Artistic works, revealing the inner world of heroes, make children sympathize with and experience the joys and sorrows of heroes as their own. Creating compelling narratives teaches children’s literature about empathy, acceptance, tolerance, friendship, and other vital parts of human life. Moreover, it offers guidance on difficult-to-approach topics such as illness, poverty, and sometimes even death in ways children can comprehend.
The problems of moral education and the formation of the moral qualities of a person are significant at a young age, due to the unique features of children’s psychophysiological, social, and personal growth. Childhood is a crucial period in a person’s life when the foundations of social, emotional, volitional, and cognitive development are laid. There is also an introduction to spiritual values, the evolution of the abilities, and the child’s individuality. It is essential to teach children to communicate and interact with others; however, such phenomena and concepts can be complicated for a child. Children’s literature plays an immense role here, providing easy-to-perceive and analyze examples for children to develop their perspectives.
References
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