sign in sign up
<<
Home , Literary genre, Young adult fiction

View metadata, citation and similar papers at core.ac.uk brought to you by CORE

provided by Jurnal Universitas 17 Agustus 1945 Surabaya

Tri Pramestri – Considering Young Adult

CONSIDERING YOUNG ADULT LITERATURE AS A LITERARY

Tri Pramesti

Abstrak. Istilah ―young adult literature‖ (sastra remaja) relatif masih baru di Indonesia. Istilah ―young adult‖ dan ―literature‖ bersifat dinamis, berubah sejalan dengan perubahan masyarakat dan budaya. Di Amerika Serikat, para kritikus sastra dan praktisi pendidikan telah tiba pada kesepakatan tentang definisinya dan beberapa peneliti telah mencoba mendeskripsikan genre ini. Makalah ini membahas karakteristik dari ―young adult literature‖ dengan penekanan khusus pada keberadaannya saat ini bagi pembaca targetnya. Disimpulkan bahwa dengan memasukkan sastra remaja sebagai satu genre karya sastra, konsep tentang karya sastra tampaknya sedang berubah dan berevolusi.

Keywords: , postmodern literature, young adult literature

INTRODUCTION from the structure of a (frequently repeated) Genre, meaning "kind" or "sort", from social occasion, with its characteristic partici- Latin: genus, is the term for any category of pants and their purposes‖ (1983). Jacques literature or other forms of art or culture, e.g. Derrida proposed that ―a text cannot belong to music, and in general, any type of discourse, no genre, it cannot be without... a genre. whether written or spoken, audial or visual, Every text participates in one or several based on some set of stylistic criteria. genres, there is no genre-less text‖ (Derrida in include , romance, the 1981:61), while David Buckingham argues Gothic, or . The major classical that ―'genre is not... simply "given" by the genres, in descending order of their perceived culture: rather, it is in a constant process of literary value, were , , lyric, negotiation and change‖ (quoted in Daniel , and . Genres are formed by Chandler p.3). Nicholas Abercrombie conventions that change over time as new suggests that ―'the boundaries between genres genres are invented and the uses of old ones are shifting and becoming more permeable‖ are discontinued. Often, works fit into (p. 45). multiple genres by way of borrowing and According to Chandler, genres need to be recombining these conventions. The studied as historical phenomena (p. 4); a definition of literary genres has been almost popular focus in young adult , for entirely dependent on society and its instance, has been the evolution of institutions, as Alastair Fowler puts it, ―The conventions within a genre. Current genres go concept of a literary work is dependent upon through phases or cycles of popularity (such there being human institutions (of which as with vampire ). On-going indeed critics have become an inte-gral part), genres and their conventions themselves governing its production, and gua-ranteeing change over time. (p.4) He stated further that its relationship to human purposes‖ redefining a genre should ―focus more (1985:50). broadly on the relationship between the Traditionally, literary genres tend to be makers and the of text (p. 5). He regarded as fixed forms, but contemporary added that Econo-mic factors may account for theory emphasizes that both their forms and the perpetuation of a profitable genre. As functions are dynamic. Gunther Kress defines genres and the relationships between them a genre as ―a kind of text that derives its form change over time; the conventions of each

* Dr. Tri Pramesti, M.S. adalah dosen Prodi Sastra Inggris, Fakultas Sastra, Universitas 17 Agustus 1945 Surabaya

Parafrase Vol. 15 No.01 Mei 2015 1

Tri Pramestri – Considering Young Adult Literature

genre shift, new genres and sub-genres certain range of reactions among adolescent emerge and others are 'discontinued' (though readers. note that certain genres seem particularly long-lasting (p. 5). WHAT IS YOUNG ADULT What makes a literary work a genre? LITERATURE? Tzvetan Todorov argued that 'a new genre is The term of YA Literature is relatively always the transformation of one or several new in Indonesia. In USA, literary critics and old genres' (cited in Swales 1990:36). Each educational practitioners have arrived at an new work within a genre has the potential to unanimous agreement on a definition. Some influence changes within the genre or perhaps researchers have attempted to describe this the emergence of new sub-genres (which may genre. From the perspective of reading later blossom into fully-fledged genres). He interest, Reid (1999) regards YA Literature as (in Bawarshi and Reiff. 2010) once said that ― that adolescents would probably like genre is resulted ―from an observation of and be able to relate to‖ (1999:3). literary reality.‖ That means genres are Other researchers have identified YA literary institutions that make certain literary Literature from the perspective of writing activities possible and meaningful, both in craft. Regarding style, Herz and Gallo (1996) terms of the subjects who participate within mention the quick-paced style in young adult them and in terms of the and readers texts, where ―the first page or two demand who produce and interpret them (2010:15). In readers‘ attention, enticing them to read on‖ this way, according to , (1996:xvi). With respect to , ―genres are essentially literary institutions, or Reid (1999) observes that ―the teenage main social contracts between a and a character is usually perceptive, sensitive, specific public, whose function is to specify intelligent, mature, and independent‖ and ―the the proper use of a particular cultural actions and decisions of the main characters artifact‖(quoted in Bawarshi and Reiff : are major factors in the outcome of the 2010:18). ‖ (quoted in Nilsen and Donelson, Furthermore literary genre is a 2001:4). Bushman and Haas (2002) identify manifestation of the interplay between some ―common characteristics‖ of YA different human institutions as Briggs and Literature: ―Conflicts are often consistent Bauman stated that with the young adult‘s experience, themes are often of interest to young people, ―Genres have strong historical associa- and most characters are young adults, and the tions— proverbs and fairy tales have the language parallels that of young people‖ ring of the traditional past, whereas electronic mail (E-mail) is associated with (2002:2). These statements provide insight the ultramodern. Genres also bear social, into the distinguishing features of YA ideological, and political-economic connec- Literature, even though they are partial, not tions; genres may thus be associated with comprehensive. Nilsen and Donelson (2001) distinct groups as defined by gender, age, social class, occupation, and the like‖ offer the term ―YA Literature‖ as an umbrella (1992:147). term that includes various literary works written for young adults instead of such terms From the discussion above, it can be said as ―teenage books,‖ ―teen fiction,‖ ―juvenile that Young Adult (YA hereafter) literature fiction,‖ or ―adolescent literature.‖ Further- qualifies as a literary genre because it reflects more they list the characteristics of YA the changes in society as well as induces a Literature:

Parafrase Vol. 15 No.01 Mei 2015 2

Tri Pramestri – Considering Young Adult Literature

1. ―Young adult authors write from the view matter of YA Literature match issues in point of young people‖: YA books are adolescents‘ personal, social, intellectual, and written through the eyes of adolescents. cognitive development, saying that ―we can, 2. In YA stories, the protagonists get rid of through YA Literature, connect them with their parents or an elder to accomplish issues that are contemporary, such as gender their own goals. bias or orientation‖ (1995:32). 3. YA plots develop speedily through a restricted number of events and characters. CONTEMPORARY YOUNG ADULT 4. ―YA Literature includes a variety of genres FICTION and subjects‖: YA books are abundant in a becomes more and remarkable diversity of subjects, themes, more popular after the publication of J.K. and genres. Rowling ‗s and Stephanie 5. ―The body of work includes stories about Meyer's . The year 2011 has characters from many different ethnic and seen an explosion of books catering to this cultural groups‖: YA Literature reflects ever-expanding bimodal , not only in social, economic, and ethnic multiplicity. novels for young adults but increasingly in 6. ―Young adult books are basically titles for middle-grade readers, elementary optimistic, with characters making worthy school readers, even the preschool set,1 accomplishments‖: YA works inspire whether they are written by best-selling adolescent readers by showing them how authors who are now writing for a younger to successfully mature from childhood to audience, or first-time novelists. Carpenter adulthood, even in the face of cruel further stated that Young adult continues to realities. be the topic of discussion due to Suzanne 7. ―Successful young adult novels deal with Collins‘ hugely popular Hunger Games emotions that are important to young trilogy, which has triggered an avalanche of adults‖: YA fiction addresses issues of dystopian fiction set in barely recognizable, physical growth and mental maturity in post-Apocalyptic American. adolescents‘ developmental tasks. The history of contemporary YA fiction (2001:25-33) can be traced during the 1950s and 1960s, This set of characteristics helps us to especially after the publication of S.E. formulate a definition that leads to a complete Hinton's The Outsiders. It focused on a group conception of YA Literature. of teens not yet represented in works of In terms of its content, YA Literature is fiction. Instead of having the nostalgic , broad and diverse in scope, as Aronson which was typical in young adult books (1995) observes: written by adults, it displayed a truer, darker side of adolescent life. Up for grabs for the modern YA As the decades moved on, the stormy are matters of ethnicity and race, issues of 1960s became the era "when the 'under 30' faith and religion, markers of gender and sexuality, problems of home and society, generation became a subject of popular choices of politics and belief, concerns concern, and that research on about money and the future. In short, the began to emerge. It would also be the decade YA genre now engages the most profound, deepest, and richest issues that 1 we face as a nation (1995:36). Susan Carpenter Des 4, 2011 . LA Times ―Young adult continues to be the literary world's fastest-growing genre‖

Moreover, Purves, Rogers, and Soter

(1995) claim that the and subject

Parafrase Vol. 15 No.01 Mei 2015 3

Tri Pramestri – Considering Young Adult Literature

when literature for adolescents could be said appearing in young adult fictions vary. to have come into its own" (Cart, 1996:43). 's success on store bookshelves and at For this reason, others adopt The Outsiders, the box office has led to its domination in the published in 1967 by S. E. Hinton, who at the young-adult genre, but realistic fiction is also time was only a teenager, as the initiator of thriving, such as in Going‘s Fat kid Ruled the the YA literature genre. This catapulted world, and Laury Anderson‘s Winter Girls, discussions about adolescent experiences and that discuss the body image, the question of the new idea of YA fiction authors; 1967 God‘s existence in Holt‘s Keeper of the Night sparked the production in growth of this now and closed community in Judy Brown‘s Hush. thriving genre. In the 1970s, as Cart states to Some of the more emotionally resonant be known as the "fab five" were published. titles this decade lifted a rock on lesser-seen the fab five are: I Know Why the Caged Bird aspects of war, including Words in the Dust Sings by Maya Angelou; The Friends by Rosa based on author Trent Reedy's real-life Guy; The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath; Bless the experience as an American soldier in Beasts and Children by Glendon Swarthout; Afghanistan, and Between Shades of Gray, and Deathwatch by Robb White" (Ibid.,77). from debut novelist Ruta Sepetys, about a As publishers began to focus on the Lithuanian teenager forced into a Siberian emerging adolescent market, booksellers and labor camp during World War II. Sarah Darer libraries began creating YA sections distinct Littman's Want to go Private? about an from either children's literature or novels Internet chat that escalates to a child written for adults. The 1970s to the mid- abduction, and Chris Beam's I Am J, which 1980s have been described as the golden age tells the story of a transgender teenage girl of young-adult fiction—when challenging who identifies as male, are some of the more novels began speaking directly to the interests compelling, and topical, issues addressed of the identified adolescent market (Owen, this year.2 2003:11). Themes in YA fiction are varied. Themes The 1980s contained a large amount of of love, friendship, and adventure, to name a Young Adult publications with topics that few popular ones, are approached by some adolescents faced such as , suicide, writers with humor and playfulness and by parental death, and ." Also in the others with anxiety and a serious writing tone. 1980s, "teenagers seemed to want to read Some of the most common themes in YA about something closer to their daily lives- novels are about coming of age, self- romance novels were revived" (Cart, discovery, and first love. They often also 1996:99). In the 1990s, YA Literature pushed touch on typical teen aspects of being quick to adolescent issues even further by including love or hate someone or to have emotions that topics such as "drinking, sexuality, drug use, run rampant. Insecurities relating to body identity, beauty, and even teen pregnancy" image and popularity such as in Winter Girls (Lubar). Also in the 1990s, it seemed as by Laurie H. Anderson are written in as well though the era of YA Literature was going to as immature behavior and a tendency towards lose steam but "due in part to an increase in the over dramatization of events.3 the number of teenagers in the 1990s the field matured, blossomed, and came into its own 2See Mulhall MB in her blog ―Young Adult Fiction : the with the better written, more serious, and Genre is more than teen Character and Love Triangles‖ retrieved 17 August 2013 more varied young adult books published 3. Susan Carpenter Des 4, 2011 . LA Times ―Young adult during the last two decades" (Tomlinson and continues to be the literary world's fastest-growing genre‖

Lynch-Brown 2007:5). In the themes

Parafrase Vol. 15 No.01 Mei 2015 4

Tri Pramestri – Considering Young Adult Literature

Another common theme is taken from the - The realistically experience classic. Contemporary retellings prove their major development tasks lasting relevance for readers. The novelist - Protagonist come to significant, universal may heighten the psychological realism of the human truth(s) as he or she progresses tale by fleshing out its briefly sketched toward adulthood (2004:72). characters such as in Thousands Acres or put It is commonly acknowledged that the the story into a contemporary like in issues involving dilemmas and other Prom and Prejudice, or reinterpret the theme subject matters such as body image are the of the conventional story such as Prada and main consideration for YA writers, they also Prejudice, or tell the story from the transform the YA readers from passive perspective of a character not usually recipients to active respondents (Cart, considered the protagonist as in Dating 2000:89). Hamlet. In addition, several young adult novels also take the story and characters from CONSIDERING YOUNG ADULT the famous young adult novel Twilight such LITERATURE AS A LITERARY GENRE as Companion of the Night by Vivian Vande YA Literature has become a genre which Velde, and Vampire Kisses by Ellen covers various types of text including: novels, Schreiber. graphic novels, blog, short stories, and . According to Latrobe and Drury, Much of the literature published consists of contemporary realistic fiction for young adult young adult fiction which in itself contains is ―a category of imaginative literature that several different types of text. The genre also accurate portrays young protagonist‘s life as it contains other various types of non-fiction is lived now or in the recent past‖ (Latrobe & such as biographies, autobiographies, journal Drury, 2004:70), while Muller showed the entries/diaries, and letters. Although many result of his research in 1975 that ―YA genres exist in YA Literature, the problem contemporary novels, seeking to identity novel tends to be the most popular among whether then–contemporary novels that young readers. Problem novel refers to young increasingly addressed more sophisticated adult novels in the realistic-fiction category subjects‖ (quoted in Latrobe, 2010:71). He that "addresses personal and social issues stated further that the genre ―was moving across socioeconomic boundaries and within away from -driven stories, linear plots, an both traditional and non-traditional family omnicient point of view, and generic style structures" (Cole, 1998). Memoirs are also toward a unity of and charater and the popular forms of YA Literature. Another use of interior monologue, multiple points of common genre within young adult fiction is view, sophisticated , and Bildungsroman, a coming of age story that time shift‖ (Ibid., 71). shows the process of "growing up". The genre Latrobe and Drury summarize itself has been challenged due to its contemporary YA literature as follow : seemingly mature content by critics of YA - The story set in the present Literature, but "other converted critics have - The story is told from the perspective of a embraced Young Adult so dearly that they YA protagonist have scoured the canon for any classics they - The protagonist is a multidimensional, could adopt into the YA family" (Stephens, dynamic character 2007). - The protagonist interact realistically with J. D. Salinger's novel The Catcher in the the events of the plot Rye (1951), often considered one of the progenitors of modern YA Literature, is

Parafrase Vol. 15 No.01 Mei 2015 5

Tri Pramestri – Considering Young Adult Literature

sometimes considered a problem novel, those found in an adult novel, despite the fact because it is popular with adolescent readers that young adult fiction is ―stripped down in for its themes of teenage confusion, angst, complexity regarding plot, number of alienation, and rebellion. The term, problem characters, breadth of setting, and sheer novel, was first used this way in the late length of ‖ (2000:17). Likewise, Zitlow 1960s with reference to contemporary works (2000) claims that quality YA Literature can like The Outsiders, a coming-of-age novel by ―reinforce all the aspects of literary analysis, S. E. Hinton, first published in 1967. Paul personal response, and introspection that are a Zindel's The Pigman (1968) is also a problem part of even the most advanced reading and novel written specifically for teenagers and a writing curriculum‖ (2000:21). In a more recent example is Adam Rapp's The particularly strong view, Crowe (2001) even Buffalo Tree (1997). The adolescent problem places YA novels on the same scale with the novel is rather loosely defined. Rose Mary classics, saying that ―we have a handful of Honnold in The Teen Reader's Advisor classics, followed by a good bunch of brilliant defines them as dealing more with characters novels, followed by an impressive collection from lower-class families and their problems of readable and entertaining books‖ and as using "grittier", more realistic (2001:146). This makes YA Literature worthy language, including dialects, profanity, and of study because of its potentially outstanding poor grammar, when it fits the character and literary quality. setting. Taking into account of the readers (their Additionally, some of the works discussed age), it can be said that by including YA may have originally been published for an Literature as a literary genre, the notion of adult audience but, because of their themes or literature is also changing and evolving as age of the protagonist, may be widely read by Cart points out that ―Literature,‖ which young adults or selected for classroom use. traditionally meant fiction, has also expanded Robert Cormier wrote The Chocolate War to include new forms of literary – or narrative (1974) without a specifically young adult — nonfiction and new forms of poetry, audience in mind, but his publisher suggested including novels and -length works of a marketing decision that placed this modern nonfiction in . The increasing classic squarely in the YA category. Mandy importance of visual communication has Hubbard‘s Prada and Prejudice, Rudolfo begun to expand this definition to include the Anaya‘s Bless Me, Ultima (1972) and Sandra pictorial, as well, especially when offered in Cisneros‘s The House on Mango Street combination with text as in the case of picture (1984) are widely used in high school or books, , and graphic novels and middle school curricula.4 nonfiction‖ Stephens added by saying‖ the term Young Adult serves as both an age CONCLUSION demographic and a genre. Sure, it might be a In conclusion, this genre is growing from tool used by marketers to put more books in the unsophisticated toward the complex and the hands of readers, but that tool is grounded significant, and its overall quality is attested in the reality of the writing itself‖ (2007:41). to by literary critics and scholars. From the discussion a chart can be drawn Christenbury (2000) believes that an excellent as follow: young adult novel has the same attributes as

4 See MB Mulhall in her blog Keystrokes and Word Counts. Retrieved 17 August 2013

Parafrase Vol. 15 No.01 Mei 2015 6

Tri Pramestri – Considering Young Adult Literature

LITERARY GENRE (Traditional)

Prose Poetry

tragedy Comedy Fabel Fair tales epic lyric

LITERARY GENRE ( Modern )

Fiction Non Fiction

Prose poetry Drama Narrative Expository Structure Structure

NOVEL, Description

TRAGEDY, Memoir SAGA, FREE Chronological order COMEDY, VERSE, Biography TRAGICOME Cause & effect DY, FARCE ROMANCE, autobiography

Parafrase Vol. 15 No.01 Mei 2015 7

Tri Pramestri – Considering Young Adult Literature

LITERARY GENRE (POSTMODERN)

Non Fiction Fiction

Narrative Structure Expository structure Form Literary Technique Reader

Biography Description Drama Science fiction Children Auto- Time order Poetry Fantasy Young- adult biography Compare Prose Adult Memoir Form & Crime fiction Cause& effect

Fairy tales

Parody

Tragedy

Comedy

YA Literature

Form Literary Technique Theme

Graphic novel Bildungsroman Bullying

Short story Problem novel friendship

Novel Fantasy Body image

Poetry Science fiction, etc Accepting difference

Epistolary, etc Dating challenges

The meaning of beauty

Old tales & Classic retold religion& spiritual life

Parafrase Vol. 15 No.01 Mei 2015 8

Tri Pramestri – Considering Young Adult Literature

REFERENCES Owen, Mary. 2003.Orana “Developing a Love of Reading: Why YA Literature is Aronson, M. 1995. ―The YA novel is Important‖. EBSCO Publishing. dead,‖ and other fairy stupid tales. Purves, A. C., Rogers, T., & Soter, A. O. School Library Journal, 41(1), 36-37. (1995). How porcupines make love III: Bawarshi, Anis S. And Reiff, Mary Jo.2010 Readers, texts, cultures in the response- Genre : An introduction to history, based literature classroom. New York: theory, research, and pedagogy Parlor Longman. Press LLC, West Lafayette, Indiana Reid, Suzanne, and Sharon Stringer. ― Briggs, Charles L. &Bautnan, Ethical Dilemmas in Teaching Probelm Richard.1992. Genre, Intertextuality and Novel: the Psychological Impact of Social Power in Journal of Linguistic Troubling YA Literature and Adolescent Anthropology Journal of Linguistic Readers in the Classroom‖ in Nilsen and Anthropology 2(2):131-172. American Donaldson. 2001. Literature for Anthropological Association Today’s Young Adult . New York: Brown, J. E., & Stephens, E. C. (1985). Longman Teaching YA Literature: Sharing the Soter, A. O. 1999. YA Literature and the connection. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth. new . New York: Bushman, J. H., & Hass, K. P. (2001). Columbia University Teachers College Using YA Literature in the English Press. classroom. New York: Merrill Prentice Stephens, Jonathan. Fall 2007. ALAN Hall. REVIEW , ―Young Adult : A book by Cart, M. 1996. From romance to realism: Other Name…: Defining a Genre‖ Fifty years of growth and change in YA Swales, John M (1990): Genre Analysis. Literature. New York: HarperCollins. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press Cart, M. 2000. A modern master. , Thomlinson, Carl M., Lynch-Brown, 97(8), 807 Carol.2007. Essentials of YA Literature. Christenbury, Leila. 2000. Making the Boston: Pearson Education, Inc. Journey:Being and Becoming a Teacher Tchudi, S., & Mitchell, D. 1989. of English Language Arts. Heinemann. Explorations in the teaching of English Derrida, Jacques (1981): 'The law of genre'. (3rd ed.). New York: HarperCollins. In W J T Mitchell (Ed.): On Narrative. Todorov, T. 1981. Introduction to Chicago: University of Chicago Press (R. Howard, Trans.). Minneapolis: Fowler,Alastair . 1985. Kinds of Literature: University of Minnesota Press. An Introduction to the Theory of Genres Trupe, Alice. 2006.Thematic Guide to YA and Modes . Oxford University Press Literature C USA: Greenwood Press Herz, S. K., & Gallo, D. R. 1996. From Hinton to Hamlet: Building bridges Electronic resources: between YA Literature and the classics. Chandler, Daniel. An Introduction to Genre Westport, CT: Greenwood Press. Theory. Aber.ac.uk. ( accessed 12 Kress, Gunther (1988): Communication and August 2013) Culture: An Introduction. Kensington, Crowe, C. 2001. The problem with YA NSW: New South Wales University literature. English Journal, 90(3), 146- Press 150. Latrobe, K and Drury, J. 2004. Critical Glenn and friends in ―Finding Space and Approaches to YA Literature . New Place for YA Literature‖ ALAN journal York : Neal-Schuman. Volume 36, Number 2 Nilsen, A. P., & Donelson, K. L. 2001. Kaplan, Jeffrey S. New Perspectives in YA Literature for today's young adults (8th Literature The Research Connection ed.). New York: Longman THE ALAN REVIEW FALL 2003

Parafrase Vol. 15 No.01 Mei 2015 9

Tri Pramestri – Considering Young Adult Literature

Lubar, David. "The History of Young Adult Novel". The Alan Review Spring 2003. Web. 12 Dec 2012. Stephens, Jonathan. 2007 "Young Adult: A Book by Any Other Name...:Defining the Genre". The Alan Review Fall 2007. Web. 12 Dec 2012. Wilder, A., & Teasley, A. B. 2000. YA: FAQ (We're glad you asked). The ALAN Review, 28(1), 55-57 Ziltow, C. S. 2000. Sounds and pictures in words: Images in literature for young adult. The ALAN Review, 27(2), 20-26.

Parafrase Vol. 15 No.01 Mei 2015 10