Complexity of 'Innocence'
The Complexity of ‘Innocence’ depicted through experience
Poet Thomas Gray famously wrote with nostalgia of the felicity of childhood, that “Where ignorance is bliss, ‘tis folly to be wise” (Gray). His poem reminisces of childhood innocence with fondness, to be carefree, unmarred of the realities of responsibility, and pure of cynicism. ‘Childhood innocence’ simply stated is a naïve ignorance that is inevitably lost with maturity. Exposure to the harshness of the world shapes the identity of adults while they are children, and loss of innocence is a common theme that is represented in many forms of literature in order to express these experiences of harshness. Many authors tend to illustrate their characters with certain backgrounds in order to relate to the reader, and oftentimes ordinary realities are not the best fit. Unfortunately, some children go through significant hardships early in life and not all children have a carefree childhood because their lives are too complicated, resulting in a loss of innocence. Upon reading Montgomery’s Anne of Green Gables, Fitzhugh’s Harriet the Spy, and Boyne’s The Boy in the Striped Pajamas, one gains a strong understanding of childhood identity depicted through innocence and experience. More specifically, by examining the similarities and differences in the characters Anne, Harriet and Bruno, it is evident that the authors’ portrayal of innocence is complex, however it is made fluid when their relationships with their parents and friends, as well as their common ignorance is explored.
From infancy, children start to closely identify the faces of their loved ones as they strongly depend on these figures to nurture them and to raise them properly. However, in some circumstances not every child is lucky enough to have a stable home. Regrettably, these children are either left to raise themselves, are raised improperly, or are left with a feeling of abandonment. Authors L.M. Montgomery and Louise Fitzhugh illustrate the
Poet Thomas Gray famously wrote with nostalgia of the felicity of childhood, that “Where ignorance is bliss, ‘tis folly to be wise” (Gray). His poem reminisces of childhood innocence with fondness, to be carefree, unmarred of the realities of responsibility, and pure of cynicism. ‘Childhood innocence’ simply stated is a naïve ignorance that is inevitably lost with maturity. Exposure to the harshness of the world shapes the identity of adults while they are children, and loss of innocence is a common theme that is represented in many forms of literature in order to express these experiences of harshness. Many authors tend to illustrate their characters with certain backgrounds in order to relate to the reader, and oftentimes ordinary realities are not the best fit. Unfortunately, some children go through significant hardships early in life and not all children have a carefree childhood because their lives are too complicated, resulting in a loss of innocence. Upon reading Montgomery’s Anne of Green Gables, Fitzhugh’s Harriet the Spy, and Boyne’s The Boy in the Striped Pajamas, one gains a strong understanding of childhood identity depicted through innocence and experience. More specifically, by examining the similarities and differences in the characters Anne, Harriet and Bruno, it is evident that the authors’ portrayal of innocence is complex, however it is made fluid when their relationships with their parents and friends, as well as their common ignorance is explored.
From infancy, children start to closely identify the faces of their loved ones as they strongly depend on these figures to nurture them and to raise them properly. However, in some circumstances not every child is lucky enough to have a stable home. Regrettably, these children are either left to raise themselves, are raised improperly, or are left with a feeling of abandonment. Authors L.M. Montgomery and Louise Fitzhugh illustrate the
Cited: Boyne, John. The Boy in the Striped Pajamas. United States: Ember, 2011. Print. Fitzhugh, Louise. Harriet The Spy. United States: Yearling, 2001. Print. Gray, Thomas. "Ode on a Distant Prospect of Eton College." The Thomas Gray archive. N.p., 1794. Web. 14 Mar 2012. . Maslow, A H. "A Theory of Human Motivation." Classics in the History of Psychology. Web. Aug 2000. . Montgomery, L. M. Anne of Green Gables. London: Seal Books, 1996. Print.