The reality—fiction opposition in children’s literature

Table of Contents

1 General remarks on children’s literature and metareferentiality

1.1 The elusive nature of children’s literature

1.2 Literary metareference and the reality—fiction opposition

2 The reality—fiction opposition in Lewis Carroll’s Alice-stories

2.1 Introductory remarks and plot summary

2.2 Framing the border-crossing between reality and fiction

2.3 Metalepses and tangled hierarchies between reality and fiction

2.4 Carroll’s use of language in discussing the reality—fiction opposition

2.5 Carroll’s use of identity and illusion in discussing the reality—fiction opposition

2.6 Synopsis

3 The reality—fiction opposition in Michael Ende’s Die Unendliche Geschichte

3.1 Introductory remarks and plot summary

3.2 Framing the border-crossing between reality and fiction

3.3 Metalepses and tangled hierarchies between reality and fiction

3.4 Ende’s use of language in discussing the reality—fiction opposition

3.5 Ende’s use of language in discussing the reality—fiction opposition

3.6 Synopsis

4 The reality—fiction opposition in John Connolly’s The Book of Lost Things

4.1 Introductory remarks and plot summary

4.2 Framing the border-crossing between reality and fiction

4.3 Metalepses and tangled hierarchies between reality and fiction

4.4 Connolly’s use of language in discussing the reality—fiction opposition

4.5 Connolly’s use of identity and illusion in discussing the reality—fiction opposition

4.6 Synopsis

Objectives and Topics

This thesis examines the representation and treatment of the reality—fiction opposition within four classic and contemporary works of children’s literature. By applying theoretical frameworks of metareferentiality and metalepsis, the research explores how these novels navigate the boundaries between the 'real' world and the fictional constructs created by characters and authors.

• The structural depiction and framing of reality and fiction.
• Mechanisms of border-crossing (metalepsis) and their implications.
• The role of language in highlighting or blurring the reality—fiction divide.
• The relationship between truth, lies, identity, and illusion in narrative worlds.

Excerpt from the Book

Summary of Chapters

1 General remarks on children’s literature and metareferentiality: Establishes the theoretical framework by discussing the elusive definition of children's literature and the relevance of metareferentiality in the genre.

2 The reality—fiction opposition in Lewis Carroll’s Alice-stories: Analyzes the subversive nature of Carroll’s dream worlds and how they deconstruct conventional understandings of time, logic, and identity.

3 The reality—fiction opposition in Michael Ende’s Die Unendliche Geschichte: Explores the interconnectedness of reality and fiction through the meta-referential device of the "book within a book" and the power of naming.

4 The reality—fiction opposition in John Connolly’s The Book of Lost Things: Investigates how recent children's fiction utilizes traditional fairytales to address themes of violence, truth, and moral maturity in a dual-world setting.

Keywords

Children's literature, metareferentiality, reality—fiction opposition, Alice-stories, Die Unendliche Geschichte, The Book of Lost Things, metalepsis, mise en abyme, identity, illusion, fiction, narrative levels, reader, language, authorship.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the fundamental focus of this research?

The work focuses on the intersection of children's literature and metareferentiality, specifically how four selected novels represent and challenge the opposition between reality and fiction.

Which texts serve as the primary focus?

The study examines Lewis Carroll's "Alice's Adventures in Wonderland" and "Through the Looking-Glass", Michael Ende's "Die Unendliche Geschichte", and John Connolly's "The Book of Lost Things".

What is the primary objective of this thesis?

To analyze and compare how these authors utilize structural and linguistic devices to blur the boundaries between reality and the fictional realms presented in their stories.

What academic approach is applied?

The analysis primarily employs the framework of Werner Wolf regarding metareferentiality and concepts of metalepsis to understand the hierarchical relationships between diegetic levels.

What are the core themes explored in the main body?

The main body treats the structural framing of story-worlds, the role of language in creating or destabilizing reality, and the impact of identity-related illusions on both characters and readers.

What keywords define this analysis?

Key terms include children's literature, metareferentiality, metalepsis, mise en abyme, and the reality—fiction opposition.

How do these books handle the "author" figure?

The thesis highlights that all four works employ specific mises en abyme to mirror the author-reader relationship, with varying degrees of authority and existential threat to the characters.

Does the research conclude that fiction is superior to reality?

While the authors take different stances, the thesis concludes that all four works suggest fiction and reality are fundamentally interdependent, with most arguing for a necessary conjunction of both for a holistic human experience.