Biography 1: Lewis Carroll
Lewis Carroll (1832-1898) was an English logician, mathematician, photographer and
novelist. His real name was Charles Dodgson. He is best known for as the Arthur of
Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland written in 1865. Dodgson was the eldest son and
third child in a family of seven girls and four boys. He was born in the old parsonage
in Daresbury, England. Carroll suffered from a bad stammer, but he found himself
vocally fluent when speaking to children. He began writing children’s story in 1856,
inspired by his interaction with the Liddell family. The story of Alice's Adventures in
Wonderland emerged in 1862, when Dodgson, who had become a close family
friend, entertained Alice Liddell and her sisters with a fantastical tale. Alice Liddell,
the youngest, was particularly enchanted by the story, and she asked Dodgson to
write it down for her. This led to the publication of Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland
in 1865. The book gained immediate popularity and Carroll wrote the sequel,
Through the Looking Glass and What Alice Found There in 1871. He was also a noted
photographer, particularly interested in portraiture and children’s photography. Many
of his photographs, some of which were controversial at the time due to his close
relationships with young girls. Lewis Carroll died on January 14, 1898, in Guildford,
Surrey, at the age of 65, from pneumonia following a stroke.
Biography 2:
Edgar Rice Burroughs (1875-1950) was an American writer best known for creating
Tarzan of the Apes and the Barsoom series. Born in Chicago, Burroughs struggled
with academics and attended half of dozens of public and private schools before
finally graduating in 1895 from the Michigan Military Academy. He worked various
jobs such as being a cowboy, a shopkeeper, a gold miner and a railroad policeman
before becoming an author in 1911. His first major success came with A Princess of
Mars in 1912. In 1912, he also published Tarzan of the Apes, a story about a British
lord raised by gorillas in the African jungle. The character of Tarzan became one of
the most iconic in fiction, leading to 24 sequels and widespread adaptations in films,
radio, and comics. Burroughs moved to California in the 1920s, where he found
success in real estate, particularly in the area of Tarzana, named after his famous
character. Although his popularity waned later in life, Burrough’s influence on the
adventure, science fiction, and fantasy genres remains profound. He passed away in
1950 at the age of 74.
Essay
The Use of Animal Characters in Adolescent and Children’s Literature
Animal characters have long been a staple in Adolescent and Children’s
Literature. From novels we read in class such as Alice in Wonderland to the globally
well-known Winnie the Pooh, these animal characters have become icons in the
world of adolescent and children’s literature. By incorporating animal characters and
giving them human-like traits, authors are creating characters that are more relatable
to kids while also making it more interesting for young children. Animal characters in
adolescent and children’s literature plays a crucial role in offering significant moral
values, providing emotional comfort and raising awareness of environmental issues.
It is a common practice for authors to use anthropomorphic animal characters
to convey ethical values and moral lessons to young readers. Through the
experiences of animal characters, children can learn values such as kindness, honesty
and bravery. In the fable The Lion and the Mouse, two different animals with
different sizes, species and cultural background broke the barrier and became friends
because of their kindness. This fable emphasizes the importance of empathy and
being kind to others. By using animal characters, authors can convey these difficult
and abstract ideas in a way that is easier to understand and engaging for younger
audiences.
Since animals are often seen as non-threatening figures and does not apply to
specific human social norms, young audiences can more easily relate to sand form
emotional connections between themselves and animal characters. When reading
this type of stories and fables, children can reflect their own emotions onto the
characters. It helps young readers develop a sense of self-awareness and empathy.
Animal characters often faces challenges and dilemmas that they must solve. In the
story Rabbit and Tortoise, the tortoise was challenged by the rabbit to a race. Even
though he knew that the rabbit is a strong opponent, he still accepted the challenge
and won the race. This fable provides emotional comfort and shows children that it is
okay to face difficulties in life but we have to stay strong and perseverance.
While young readers relate to animal characters’ problems, feelings and desire
when reading, they will also develop a sense of empathy for them and even for real
animals and their living environment. Therefore, authors may sometimes use animal
characters to highlight environmental problems that we may face nowadays such as
pollution, deforestation and climate change. In the story The Tale of Peter Rabbit,
Peter’s disruptive behavior towards nature led to him being chased down by the
farmer, showing the negative consequences of disrespecting our environment. The
story shows the importance of respect towards nature and protecting our planet. By
creating connections with animal characters, readers will more like develop a sense
of responsibility and understand that environmental protection is crucial.
We can see that animal characters serve as an effective tool in adolescent and
children’s literature. Not only it can teach children moral lessons, it can also provide
them with emotional comfort while teaching them respect towards our living
environment. Through these animal-drive narratives, children will gain many valuable
life lessons that will eventually help them grow into a more understanding, respectful
and responsible human being.
