„Csak élet és halál dolgában járok”. A gyászfeldolgozás ábrázolása a Szólít a szörny című regény bábadaptációjában
“I am only in the business of life and death”. The Representation of Grief in the Puppet Adaptation of the Novel The Monster Calls

Summary/Abstract: Since the 2010s, Hungarian children’s literature has increasingly tackled taboo topics—such as divorce, bullying, and grief—through storytelling with a strong pedagogical intent. In What Cannot Be Talked About, Must Be Talked About, Andrea Lovász critiques this literature for its inherent tension: while such works necessitate a degree of emotional detachment, their fictional nature often deeply engages readers on an emotional level. This study, expanding on Lovász’s insights, examines whether puppet theatre provides a more suitable medium for addressing taboo subjects. I focus on puppetry’s abstract, symbolic qualities and their ability to facilitate discussions on grief and death. The analysis centres on The Monster Calls, performed by the Mesebolt Puppet Theatre. First, I assess how the play aligns with the psychological frameworks of child development and grief. Second, I argue that puppetry’s “double reception”—viewing puppets as both characters and objects—combined with its “open play” technique, creates a layered, reflective experience that can be ideal for engaging with difficult themes.

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