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AML 2410
Fall 2006
Issues in American Literature and Culture:
American Children's Popular Culture in Literature, Film and Media
Reading Questions
Brown, Gillian. "Child's Play." The American Child: A Cultural Studies Reader. Levander, Caroline and Carol Singley. Eds. New Brunswick: Rutgers, 2003.
While reading the chapter, think about the aspects of absorption and play addressed by Brown.
-What are some various "objects of absorption" (15)? What types of absorptions are discussed and what are their effects? (initial mention)
-What are the two crossroads for imaginative to real spheres of activity? How does this relate to what Brown describes as childhood?
-Explore the topic of children's absorption in relation to children's pleasure and children's play.
-According to Dewey, what types of objects do children seek?
-Explore the gender divide. How do 19th century accounts of boyhood differ from the accounts of girlhood? Is this still applicable today?
-What are two ideals of play? Do you still think this is valid today?
-How does absorption differ by gender in "the ideal portrait" of boys and girls (26)?
-Why is Tom Sawyer used as the primary example from children's literature? What does he illustrate?
-Why does it seem impossible for child protagonists to evade the real world?