Date of Award
Spring 4-30-2015
Document Type
Honors Project
Degree Name
Bachelor of Arts
Department
English, Linguistics, and Communication
First Advisor
Scanlon, Mara
Second Advisor
Rigsby, Mary
Major or Concentration
English (Creative Writing Concentration)
Abstract
This paper examines the role literary perversions play in children's literature. Specifically, it examines the role they play within the books Charlotte's Web and Bridge to Terabithia. Moreover, it is particularly interested in examining how literary perversions of gender--that is, representations of gender that fall outside of the normative standard of society--effect the narratives and characters of the books in question. The presence of this form of literary perversion in children's books is fascinating because childhood is one of the only times gender fluidity is acceptable. Yet, children are also being prepped for the roles they will be expected to fill once they are older. This paper additionally discusses the inherent value of reading perversely, which is a form of reading that places perversions at the heart of a narrative, rather than viewing them as mere outliers. Finally, it addresses and explores the challenges one might face when attempting to do a perverse reading.
Recommended Citation
Winkler, D. Claire, "Bending Gender: Perversions in Children's Literature" (2015). Student Research Submissions. 99.
https://scholar.umw.edu/student_research/99