The importance of anthropomorphism in children’s literature : studies in Elwyn Brooks White’s Charlotte’s web and Stuart Little

Abstract

The anthropomorphised linguistic and social world in which animals are given human voice originated in the literary genre of the animal fable. Over the centuries this has changed from being, predominantly moralistic stories for adults to one that is specifically directed towards younger children. This genre can be found in books, toys, songs, electronic medias etc. and regularly features animals as the central characters. The use of animals and other nonhuman characters in children’s literature has become a well-known medium of entertainment for them and is one through which children can be educated with life lessons. The anthropomorphised animal characters are a reflection of children’s affection for animals and carry with them many explicit and implicit messages about animal and human relationships. Through the analysis of two children’s literature texts written by E.B. White, Stuart Little (1945) and Charlotte’s Web (1952), this study will focus on the importance of anthropomorphism in children’s literature and consider how it can aid social skills development. Many of the illustrated social skills are those values that contribute to children’s lives in order for them to demonstrate good behaviour in their society. The study will illustrate the importance of such anthropomorphism in children’s literature and its use in teaching acceptable societal behaviour whilst contributing to the discourse on anthropomorphism in children’s literature.