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Ml 48106 18 BEDFORD ROW. LONDON WC1R 4EJ, ENGLAND 8001779 M c B r o o m , G e r a l d in e L y n n YOUNG ADULT REALISTIC FICTION, 1967-1977: IMAGES OF ADOLESCENT MALE PROTAGONISTS The Ohio State University PH.D. 1979 University Microfilms International300 N. Zeeb Road, Ann Arbor, MI 48106 18 Bedford Row, London WC1R 4EJ, England Copyright 1979 by McBroom, Geraldine Lynn All Rights Reserved PLEASE NOTE: In all cases this material has been filmed in the best possible way from the available copy. Problems encountered with this document have been identified here with a check mark . 1. Glossy photographs ________ 2. Colored illustrations________ 3. Photographs with dark background________ '4. Illustrations are poor copy________ 5. Print shows through as there is text on both sides of page_________ 6. Indistinct, broken or small print on several pages throughout 7. Tightly bound copy with print lost in spine________ 8. Computer printout pages with indistinct print________ 9. Page(s) lacking when material received, and not available from school or author ________ 10. Page(s) ________seem to be missing in numbering only as text follows _ _ _ _ _ _ 11. Poor carbon copy _ _ _ _ _ _ 12. Not original copy, several pages with blurred type ________ 13. Appendix pages are poor copy _ _ _ _ _ 14. Original copy with light type __ 15. Curling and wrinkled pages _ _ _ _ _ _ 16. Other University; M io o iim s International 300 N. ZEES RD.. ANN ARBOR. Ml A8106 1313) 761-4700 YOUNG ADULT REALISTIC FICTION 1957-1977 IMAGES OF ADOLESCENT MALE PROTAGONISTS DISSERTATION Presented in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree Doctor of Philosophy in the Graduate School of The Ohio State University By Geraldine Lynn McBroom, B. S., M. A. **** The Ohio State University 1979 Reading Committee: Approved By Dr. Frank Zidonis Dr. Donald Bateman Dr. Maia Pank Mertz Adviser Department of Education: Humanities ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Greatest thanks and appreciation to: my family for their love; Ken Donelson for his faith in me; Phyllis, Kathy, Bob, and all my friends for their support; Nomie for the tables; Lonny for his understanding and encouragement. ii VITA May 17, 1943....... Born - Defiance, Ohio 1966............... Ayersville Local School, Defiance, Ohio 1970............... B.S. in Education, English major, speech minor, Kent State Univer­ sity, Kent, Ohio 1975............... M.A., literature and linguistics, Kent State University, Kent, Ohio TEACHING EXPERIENCE 1970-1973.......... Eighth grade language arts teacher, Copley-Fairlawn Junior High School, Copley, Ohio 1973-1975.......... Teaching Assistant: composition, linguistics, writing clinic, Kent State University, Kent, Ohio 1975-1977.......... Teaching Associate: composition, Language arts and reading methods, English-education student teacher supervision, The Ohio State Uni­ versity, Columbus, Ohio 1977-1979.......... Lecturer: linguistics, composition Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona PUBLICATIONS "Boys and Girls Together: Their Relationships in Adoles­ cent Novels." The ALAN Review 6 (Spring 1979): 5, 12, 13. FIELDS OF STUDY Major Field: English Education Studies in Methods of Teaching English. Professors Frank Zidonis, Don Bateman, Maia Pank Mertz, The Ohio State University Studies in Adolescent Literature. Professors Ken Donelson, Arizona State University; Charlotte Huck, The Ohio State University Studies in Linguistics. Professors David Stamp, David Dowty, The Ohio State University Studies in Early and Middle Childhood Education. Profes­ sors Martha King, Charlotte Huck, The Ohio State University iv TABLE OF CONTENTS ACKNOWLEDGMENTS............................................. i i VITA......................................................... iii LIST OF TABLES.............................................. vii Chapter I. INTRODUCTION..................................... 1 Goals of the Dissertation.................... 3 Specific Areas of Investigation............. 4 Definition of Terms........................... 4 Text Selection................................ 5 Characteristics Selection.................... 8 II. REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE................... 12 A Brief History of Young Adult Literature... 12 Introduction............................... 12 1700-1900: Precursor...................... 13 1900-1965: Awareness and Growth......... 15 1965-1978 : Controversy.................... 19 Male and Female Images in Literature........ 22 Fairy Tales and Nursery Rhymes........... 24 Picture Books.............................. 25 Readers and Texts.......................... 29 Females in Adolescent Novels............. 34 Males in Adolescent Novels................ 38 Significance of this Study................... 41 v Page III. RESULTS OF CONTENT ANALYSIS....................... 50 Introduction.................................... 50 Characters...................................... 50 Major Characters............................... 52 Minor Characters............................... 54 Color and Economic Categories................. 56 Family Structures.............................. 58 Authors......................................... 61 Publishing Divisions.............. 62 Settings and Time Spans....................... 62 Narrative Styles............................... 65 Topics and Themes.............................. 66 IV. RESULTS OF DESCRIPTIVE ANALYSIS.................. 74 Introduction.................................... 7 4 Ages............................................. 75 Physical Descriptions.......................... 76 General Personality Characteristics.......... 78 Overview of Attitudes andRelationships ....... 90 Peer Relationships............................. 90 Attitudes Toward Sexual Activity............. 96 Relationships with Parents.................... 102 Relationships with Other Adults.............. 105 Goals............................................ 107 Emotions........................................ 112 Embracing and Crying............ .............. 118 Activities...................................... 12 2 Resolution of Topic; Effect of Theme on the Major Character....................... 12 5 Conclusion...................................... 131. V. SUMMARY............................................. 141. Introduction.................................... 141 The Young Adult Novel.......................... 142 The Major Male Character...................... 146 Suggestions for Further Research............. 155 APPENDIXES A. Suggestions for Grouping Novels.................. 162 168 B. Suggestions for Related Activities............... 173 WORKS CITED............................................... SELECTED BIBLIOGRAPHY............................... 175 vi LIST OF TABLES Table Page 1. Recommended Novels of Realistic Fiction with Major Male Character........................................ 7 2. Characteristics.................................. 9 3. Content Analysis: Sex, Color, Economic......................................... 51 4. Relationships of Major and Minor Characters................................. 5 3 5. Specifics of Novels.............................. 59 6. Distribution of Characteristics................ 79 7. Ages and Characteristics of Major Characters................................ 81 8. Peer Group Relationships........................ 92 9. Adult Relationships.............................. 106 10. Resolution of Topic, Effect of Theme.......................................... 127 vii CHAPTER I INTRODUCTION As a separate area of book publishing and educational interest, the field of young adult literature is a relative­ ly new development.