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Elements of Carnival and the Carnivalesque in Contemporary Australian Children’S Literature

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Elements of Carnival and the Carnivalesque in Contemporary Australian Children’S Literature Elements of Carnival and the Carnivalesque in Contemporary Australian Children’s Literature B.F. Haynes PhD Thesis (Education) 2009 l For Kylie and my Parents My precious girls and Alf and Oily - remembered with Love CERTIFICATE OF AUTHORSHIP / ORIGINALITY I certifythat the work in this thesis has not been previously submitted for a degree nor has it been submitted as part of requirements for a degree except as fully acknowledged within this text. I also certify that the thesis has been written by me. Any help that I have received in my research work and the preparation of the thesis itself has been acknowledged. In addition, I certifythat all information sources and literature used are indicated in the thesis. Signature of student Acknowledgement I wish to acknowledge the support and assistance received in the writing and editing of this thesis from my supervisor Professor Rosemary Johnston. My thanks for your advice, support, ideas and direction. 4 Table of Contents Abstract .................. 6 List of Texts Used .................. 7 Introduction .................. 8 Chapter 1 - From the Margins: a framework for Bakhtinian Camivalesque .................. 13 Chapter2 - Blurring the Boundaries: the paradigm of Authority and the Camivalesque in children ’s literature .................. 43 Chapter 3 - Scatology and Mirth: the importance of carnival laughterand humour within children ’s literature .................. 70 Chapter 4 - Conflicting Thrust: bodily functioning in children ’s books representing symbolic function within the camivalesque .................. 98 Chapter 5 - Delineated Hunger: the role of appetite in the construction of Camivalesque understanding in children ’s literature ............. 124 Chapter 6 - The Camivalesque Influence: conclusions concerning the role of camivalesque in contemporary children ’s literature .................. 151 Bibliography .................. 174 5 Abstract This thesis discusses the influence of elements of Bakhtinian camivalesque in selected contemporary Australian children ’s literature. Many of the Bakhtinian ideas are centred on the work of Franqois Rabelais, particularly his five books collectively entitled Gargantua and Pantagruel. Aspects of the complex field of Bakhtinian camivalesque that have been considered include: attitudes to authority, the grotesque body and its working, the importance of feasting and the associated concepts of bodily functioning, customs in relation to food, and ritual and specific language such as the use of curses and oaths. The role of humour and the manifest forms this takes within carnival are intrinsic and are discussed at some length. These central tenets are explored in two ways: first, in relation to their connection and use within the narrative structures of a selection of books short listed (and thus critically acclaimed) by the Australian Children ’s Book Council from the early 1980s to the early 2000s, and second, by means of contrast, to the commercially popular but generally less critically acclaimed works of other Australian writers suchas Paul Jennings and Andy Griffiths. The thesis concludes by considering the ways in which camivalesque freedom is encouraged through and by new media. 6 List of Australian Texts Aldridge J 1984 ... ... The True Story of Lilli Stubeck CarmodyI 1987 ... ... Obernewtyn FatchenM1981 ... ... Closer to the stars Fowler T 1981 ... ... Wait for me! Wait for me! Gleitzman M 1991 ... ... Worry Warts Griffiths A 2005 ... ... Bumageddon: The Final Pongflict Griffiths A 2003 ... ... Zombie Bums From Uranus Griffiths A 2001 ... ... The Day My Bum Went Psycho Hartnett S 2001 ... ... Forest Hartnett S 1997 ... ... Princes Hartnett S 1995 ... ... Sleeping Dogs Jennings P 1991 ... ... Unmentionable Jennings P 1990 ... ... Round the Twist Jennings P 1986 ... ... Unbelievable! KelleherV 1986 ... ... Taronga KelleherV 1982 ... ... Master of the Grove Klein R 1989 ... ... Came Back to Show You I Could Fly Klein R 1985 ... ... Hating Alison Ashley Lurie M 1985 ... ... Toby’s Millions O’Neill J 1989 ... ... Deepwater Park R 1980 ... ... Playing Beattie Bow PhipsonJ 1981 ... ... A Tide Flowing Rubenstein G 1986 ... ... Space Demons Scott B 1984 ... ... Shadows among the leaves Sharp D 1986 ... ... Blue days Spence E 1982 ... ... The Left Overs Vaughan Carr R 1985 ... ... Firestorm Wheatley N 1984 ... ... Dancing in the Anzac Deli Wrightson P 1983 ... ... A Little Fear Wrightson P 1981 ... ... Behind the Wind 7 Introduction This thesis explores elements of carnival and the camivalesque in contemporary Australian children ’s literature. It is informed by the Bakhtinian idea of carnival and investigates to what extent these ideas are incorporated into selected contemporary publications. It draws on Bakhtinian concepts and discusses their influence within the field of children ’s literature. Chapter one will discuss Bakhtin in terms of his theory of camivalesque and will provide a basis for connecting the tenets of these ideas and how these have been used or adapted for use within Australian children ’s literature (as introduced in chapter two). Within this context, it will focus in depth on the idea of the grotesque body through differing aspects, as the role of the body is examined in a camivalesque framework. Books referred to in this thesis are taken from the areas of young adult fiction and junior books. Specifically, these books are selected texts from the Australian 8 Children ’s Book Council short lists from the year 1980 to 2000. The books that have been chosen from the early eighties have been selected on the basis that they were specifically written for young people and represent a beginning for the cultural literary recognition of children ’s books. Short-listing for the awards demonstrates a degree of cultural and literary endorsement, which has been reinforced by subsequent research and serious academic discussion. This in turn provides some critical basis on which the concepts and issues of these books are analysed in relation to camivalesque ideas. In some instances this link can be tenuous owing to the narrative of the short listed books, which are predominantly serious in their themes. As a means of comparison the works of writers such as Paul Jennings and Andy Griffiths, though they have as yet not received critical acclaim from established and recognised cultural literary award organisations, will also be considered. This is because many aspects of their narrative construct, from characterisation and plot to sub themes, motifs and focalisation, incorporate camivalesque elements. It is noted that these texts have increasing market share and are extremely popular with young readers. It should also be noted that these texts represent a more recent period of time and encapsulate perhaps broader and more complex issues that influence textual concerns. Their increasing popularity is an important issue to consider in the context of reading trends and the philosophical assumptions that mark what may be a paradigm shift in the way reading material is viewed in terms of what is acceptable and appropriate for children. The first chapter of this thesis will explore the idea of carnival and the main tenets of Bakhtin’s theory of the camivalesque. This thesis is not concerned with all of Bakhtin’s theory, only that which relates to carnival and those aspects which provide a camivalesque paradigm of understanding. This will form the basis for following chapters to discuss specific aspects and how they are evident within the texts of selected children ’s books. The concept of carnival refers to the use of ritual and celebration in relation to life. It celebrates the two most significant stages of human existence namely birth and death. It is a rejuvenatingprocess where social order is forgotten or temporarily suspended and all participants are equal within its rituals. 9 Bakhtin’s theory of the camivalesque attempts to describe the roles played by participants in carnival narratives - usuallythe novel. It is seen as a rebirthing and a reaffirming process for the renewal of society. All are participants within camivalesque theory and each has a role to play in determining the continuing social structure of their society. Bakhtin draws specific attention to the role of the body in camivalesque as well as the purposes of food and laughter. The usurping of authority is also discussed in relation to the subversion of norms or through parody. Laughter is an important feature of Bakhtinian theory and subsequently is dealt with on many levels. Concepts suchas “the laughing truth” are discussed in this thesis as are the uses of language (oaths and curses for example) and visual sources - all aimed at subverting normal social discourse. The second chapter will discuss selected texts in relation to exploring aspects of Bakhtinian theory, specifically in connection with themes, narrative ideas, plot, focalisation and character. This chapter will look at how authority is viewed within camivalesque theory and subsequently how this is used in the writings of contemporary Australian authors. In particular it will consider how authority is approached and understood in chosen texts and how its antithesis is manifest in areas such as social taboos, class, race and gender. The third chapter will explore the role of laughter and the comic and how this has been adapted, rewritten, modified and changed for the purposes of authors such as Jennings and Griffiths and other selected short listed authors from the Children ’s Book Council list. Comedy,
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