Femininity in Canadian Children’s Literature. An Analysis of the Incomparable Mademoiselle Charlotte Cover Image

La féminité dans la littérature de jeunesse de langue française au Canada. Une analyse de l’incomparable Mademoiselle Charlotte
Femininity in Canadian Children’s Literature. An Analysis of the Incomparable Mademoiselle Charlotte

Author(s): Anne-Marie Dionne
Subject(s): Literary Texts
Published by: Wydawnictwo Uniwersytetu Śląskiego
Keywords: children’s literature; social construction of gender; femininity; stereotypes

Summary/Abstract: The influence of children’s literature on the development of gender identity has been well established. However, it seems that many children’s books are conveying stereotypical representations of genders as well as notable iniquities among males and females characters. Therefore, to counterbalance the detrimental effects that this could have on gender role socialisation, books that are presenting positive, non-traditional representations of masculinities and femininities should be put forward. In this regards, the incomparable "Mademoiselle Charlotte", the beloved main character of a young Canadian readers series, is certainly bringing her share to the diversity of female models. In this article, this unconventional, eccentric lady is the subject of our interest. A content analysis was performed on the seven novels of the series in order to highlight many facets of her persona that could influence the developing minds of young readers by broadening their perceptions regarding variable femininities.

  • Issue Year: 8/2013
  • Issue No: 1
  • Page Range: 230-241
  • Page Count: 12
  • Language: French