Children's literature is analyzed and evaluated in several different ways. The traditional approach to evaluating any type of literature is used, as well as some more contemporary models as society advances. The traditional approach evalutates the story based on very fundamental ideas of what comprises a story. These are the analysis of the elements 0f literature such as character, setting, narrative point of view, plot, conflict, theme, style, and tone. I will be analyzing the picture books of adaptations of Little Red Riding Hood based on similar criteria that is used for analyzing folktales. This criteria includes characters, setting, plot, theme, conflict, and style. I will also look for the narrative point of view and cultural depicition. I will use the original translation of the story as the traditional written version and compare the other versions to it.

Characters: "At the heart of every good story are believable and memorable characters" (Russell 39). The characters in folktales are commonly very simple, and underdeveloped. There are not descriptions of a characters mental thought and dilemas. Characters also reflect common stereotypes, and are easily deciphered as good or evil.

protagonist: the main character with whom the reader can identify

antagonist: the character that opposes the protagonist and creates the conflict

flat characters: may also be called stock characters or stereotypes and are used to advance the plot

round characters: these characters may not be the main characters, but they have more developed personalities

dynamic character: usually the protagonist; "one who changes throughout the narrative, usually toward greater maturity

static characters: usually played by supporting characters; do not change throughout the narrative

foil character: a character whose personality contrasts with the protagonist to make the protagonist stand out or shine

Setting: "The setting refers to the time, geographical location, and general environment and circumstances that prevail in a narrative" (Russell 40).

~may help create mood of story

~ also includes descriptions of the daily happenings

~usually very simple like "Once upon a time in a kingdom, far, far, away"

~reflect the landscape of the tale's culture

Plot: a series of connected events throughout the narrative

foreshadowing: the reader is suggested to some event that will happen somewhere in the narrative and will be resolved at the end

dramatic plot: progresses in order of setting, conflict, rising action, climax, and conclusion

episodic plot: loosely related events that are tied together by ususally only a common theme

parrallel plot: a book that contains two dramatic plots that are usually linked by characters or themes

Conflict: an event that is usually a battle between good and evil or right and wrong (part of a plot)

ttypes include:

~protagonist against another

~protagonist against society

~protagonist against nature

~protagonist against self

Theme: tells the reader the purpose of the story and plot, aslo referred to as the underlying meaning

common themes in folktales:

~ The struggle to achieve autonomy or to break away from parents

~The undertaking of a rite of passage- sometimes to sexual maturity

~The discovery that ultimately we are all alone on our journey to maturity is fraught with struggle and danger

~The anxiety over the failure to meet a parent's expectations

~The anxiety over one's displacement by another-the "new arrival"

~there are also many other themes

Style: the way in which the narrative is written

formula and repetition: there are usually conventional openings and closings like, "Once upon a time in a kindgom, far, far, away" and "They lived happily ever after."

motifs and imagery: a motif is a recurring thematic element

examples: "... journey through a dark forest, enchanted transformations, magical cures or other spells, encounters with helpful animals or creatures, trickster antics, foolish bargains, impossible tasks, clever deceptions, and so on" (Russell 162).

magic: folktales often accept magic as a normal part of life

examples: "helpful animals, transformations from human to beast and beast to human, granted wishes, and so on" (Russell 162).

sublimation: folktales often display this by taking something ordinary and making it devine, more refined, or more socially acceptable

Additional criteria:

cultural depictions: the basis of the original story has been adapted to fit into certain societies standards of life, i.e. different geographical locations

 

Narrative Point of View: the type of storyteller/storytelling

internal narrator: also a character in the story, commonly the protagonist, the text shows clues such as, "I," when referring to himself

external omniscent narrator: not a character in the story, "all-knowing"

external subjective narrator: not a character in the story, but tends to look at events through the eyes of a single character

References:

Russell D. L. "Literature for children: A short introduction." 5th ed. Boston: Pearson: Allyn and Bacon 2005