10 April 2006
Prominent children's authors are incorporating the post 9-11 environment into fictional terrorist events and government propaganda in their books, a Monash University study has found.
Dr Rebecca-Anne Do Rozario, from Monash's School of English, Communications and Performance Studies, examined children's books and movies including J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter series, Jonathan Stroud's Bartimaeus Trilogy, Eoin Colfer's Artemis Fowl series and Disney movie Lilo and Stitch.
She also analysed the way these authors questioned ideological and political motivations.
"Rowling's Harry Potter and the Half-blood Prince and Stroud's Ptolemy's Gate were released in 2005, just after the terrorist attacks on London in July. Both books question government a propaganda," Dr Do Rozario said.
"In Harry Potter and the Half-blood Prince, the magical world's response to terror is increasingly reminiscent of contemporary Western governments. For instance, a purple pamphlet, 'Protecting your home and family against dark forces', resembles Australia's 'Be Alert Not Alarmed' campaign advice regarding suspicious behaviour. There is the sense of bureaucratic compulsion to guard against fellow citizens.
"Harry and his mentor, Dumbledore, though, dismiss bureaucratic measures as ineffective in ensuring security against villains such as Voldemort and the Death Eaters."
Dr Do Rozario said children's books, particularly those from the United Kingdom and Ireland, were well ahead of most adult books in writing on 9/11 themes and aspects of terrorism.
"These authors present an acute understanding of the ambiguities of war and terrorism," she said.
"They are not writing on what is literally happening, but through their storytelling they reflect that not everything is black or white, or as simple as 'good versus evil'. Readers are shown the importance of questioning what is going on -- of looking at all sides of the issue.
"And, ultimately, these authors equate terrorism with a very understandable construct - childishness. Their books reveal a sense of the ridiculous underlying terrorism and war, while still acknowledging the horrific consequences."
Dr Do Rozario said although the books covered issues of terrorism, they also provided a sense of hope.
For information email Rebecca.DoRozario@arts.monash.edu.au or contact Ms Karen Stichtenoth, Media Communications on +61 3 9905 1253 or 0408 812 301.
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