Blooming Middle-earth: An Analysis of Tolkien’s writings through the perspective of Young Adult Literature

Adolescent’s Nox

by Laura Berenice Piceda

The zombie apocalypse is real. Perhaps not in the sense of living flesh-eating corpses walking down the streets, but definitely in the cultural sense. Teenagers and young adults dressed like zombies take over the streets.  During the last years, the popular fascination  for zombies has been reborn, and along with it countless books ,comics , films and TV  shows that filled the social media with these terrorific, drooling and undoubtedly basic monsters have raised from the ashes. But, what could happen if the zombie is not only conscious, but also clever and reflective? This situation is clearly portrayed in the story “The Prince of Nox”, by Kathe Koja. A man that has been turned into a zombie realizes that he is the only one who still has a “human” brain, and tries to find a relevant meaning to his life as a dead, despite that sounds especially ironic. That search for a path in life plus the zombie topic make this story a perfect creation for young adult literature.

Teenagers have always felt that they are meant to fight against the rest of the world, and that they have to force their way through to find the essential meaning of their lives, even though they may do it unconsciously. That’s why they’ll easily relate to the rebelliousness against the authority that the main character of the story depicts and his search for a meaning of his days as an undead.  In the following quote, we’ll find that clearly summed up,

There was a place inside him that death did not hamper nor life release, that had blossomed now in this terrible half-life to make of it, and him, something new. And there was work to do.

His quest for his own destiny, and his work to share this “new world” perspective leads him to glance into his deepest core to find the essence of life and death, just as most adolescents had done at least once in their lives because, after all, that’s what growing up is all about . What’s more, that quest is undoubtedly related to the search for identity that every teenager has faced, for no meaning can be found without searching for your own essence first.

That zombie’s quest can be analysed as a metaphor for the teenager’s pursuit, and to make that identification even more interesting for them, we have to take into account the blast that the zombies phenomenon has been during the last years. Using a topic that may appeal them is more than a relevant point to take into consideration, because that’s what will call their attention first of all, and therefore encourage them to read and later find all the features and characteristics of young adult literature that they will surely enjoy.

Without any doubts, one of the main characteristics of  YAL is that the main character is specially perceptive, sensitive, intelligent, mature and independent. In “The Prince of Nox”, the main character (who has forgotten his name as a mortal) contains all those characteristics inside himself.

Was it a coincidence that he alone retained the gift of awareness, of a consciousness more severely tempered and refined than even those who had never died? Was it a coincidence that he alone understood what a gift it all was?

He was grateful for the gift of awareness, and therefore makes use of it throughout the whole story. His interpretation of what happens around him and the new reality that he has to face keeps his thoughts constantly active and makes him to be always reflective and introspective, another important characteristic that most young adults have.

This self-communion is essential for the story, just like it is for every teenager. That’s why, if we add together all the features that have been already mentioned, and take into account the zombie- based topic, this story will definitely be a sterling case of young adult literature. What’s more, if the adolescents read it, they would also be able to find their own Nox, their nightly paradise where the hidden answers of their quest can be found.

“Chicken” by Kathy Stinson

Review by Barros Paola, Gulin Rocío and Piceda Laura

“Chicken” by Kathy Stinson is a story taken from the book ‘101 ways to Dance’. This story is about a teenage girl who is painting a church and she finds herself alone with a boy who already has a child and is expecting another one. Although her mother warned her about being alone with a boy like him, she stays there anyway. When the boy suggests playing a game called “Chicken”, in which one puts a finger on the other person’s forehead and pulls away and the first one who says ‘stop’ is the chicken, she accepts and the game begins. This is an engaging story that has different purposes. It could be used to deal with sexuality, to practice English reading comprehension or it could be simply used for the purpose of entertaining.

This story deals with one of the most important topics related to adolescents: sexuality. Most teens have a lot of questions about this matter. This is normal and natural, and It is also normal to feel shy about rising these issues with adults. That’s why the text “Chicken” could serve as a way to teach teenagers not only about English, but also about sexuality. The development of a discussion and an analysis will help them to have this subject clearer. Moreover, they will be able to clear up doubts in a debate among mates.

Another good feature of the story is that it puts on words teenager’s feelings. Therefore, they will feel identified, because they are experiencing the similar frightening unknown emotions. What’s more, the use of simple sentences in this story makes it easy to follow the argument and it is catchy for adolescents, apart from the fact that it leads teenagers to create the scenes vividly in their minds while reading.

We think that, without any doubts, “Chicken” is a didactic story that should be used to work with teenage students. They will like the plot and feel identified with it. Highly recommended.

“Brave” wild heart

by LAURA PICEDA AND ELIANA ROMERO

Freedom is the condition of being free of restraints. This word represents the most important right in our lives. “Brave”, the American film produced by Pixar Animation Studios and released by Walt Disney Pictures in 2012, is a story which shows us the importance of being free. This movie breaks the mold of classical fairy tales. All of us are accustomed to see a princess who waits for the perfect prince to reach her dreams and to live happily ever after. Despite the fact that in previous fairy tales the issue of liberty was taken into account, for the first time a princess fights for her own freedom, not depending on a saviour, the eternal “Prince Charming”.  

Merida, the protagonist of Brave, is definitely not a typical princess. She reflects a princess archetype that looks like a real girl with real dreams and wishes. She is not the “perfect” princess, she is not afraid to show the imperfections that make her such an unique and appealing character. She wants to take control of her own destiny regardless of the obstacles in her way, just as most women do in our days. She fits the principle of freedom of our times, and her hopes belong to the category of the “ideal” ones for the majority of the female population. Without doubts,”Brave” portrays the change in women´s desires in the 21st century.

For centuries, princesses were the ideal of thousands of girls, they were the perfect models to follow.  The standards of beauty were based on a pale white skin, a thin body and a flawless appearance. A woman had to be confined to “feminine” duties, such as sewing, cleaning or cooking, and never dare to touch a sword or a bow. And, as mentioned before, they seemed to be incapable of saving themselves, their own families or beloved ones. They just had to wait for their saviour, their prince, and never aim to anything else than to be married to him.

But Merida breaks the rules showing us a different reality, our reality. She is presented as a natural girl full of dreams and goals who does not think in the future that was already set for her. She does not care about what she has to do according to her status or about what the others expect from her. Her life is based on what her heart dictates. She wants to be eternally free, and what’s more, she sees marriage not only as something undesirable but also as the end of her beloved freedom, her only husband.

It’s no surprising the fact that most girls or women feel identified with this revolutionary princess. Merida is an empowering role model who speaks to girls' capacity to be change agents in the world rather than just trophies to be admired. Her wild spirit and her “innovative” desires are those that the majority of women share nowadays. Even though some women still long for their “Blue Prince”, now it is generally accepted that kind of events only happen in Fairy Tales. Women have to save themselves, no matter if there is or isn’t a prince. Now they know that they are the only ones that are able to fight for their wildest aspirations. And that’s what Merida actually does. She makes her own trouble and then she gets herself and her family out of that trouble without the help of anybody else. Merida and her mother Elinor argue due to her refusal to get married. Thereupon Merida tears the family tapestry and Elinor throws Merida's longbow into the fire. Merida then storms out in tears and rides into the forest, where she follows the wisps to the hut of an elderly witch posing as a woodcarver. After some bargaining, the witch agrees to give Merida an enchanted cake to change her mother's mind. Merida returns to the castle and gives Elinor the cake, which magically transforms her into a black bear. Realizing that she has made matters worse for herself, Merida returns with Elinor, who still retains most of her human personality, to the witch's cottage but finds only a message left behind. They learn that unless Merida is able to "mend the bond torn by pride" before the second sunrise, the spell will become permanent. In the end, Merida realizes the true meaning of the witch`s riddle, and reconciles with her mother. The Queen is finally transformed back to her human form, and the family is happily reunited.

What’s more, the conflict between her and her mother is another point in which some girls or teenagers may feel identified. The constant confrontation between what the daughter desires and what their parents expect her to be is a recurrent issue in most women’s lives. The Queen´s expectations about  her daughter creates an enormous distance between them. This generally occurs between parents and teenagers, and it's another example of why this movie portrays the change in women's desires during this century. Nowadays girls do not resign to the fate that their parents desire for them, but confront them in order to achieve their deepest wishes.

The idea of freedom in this film presented through Merida´s inner qualities and dreams may inspire moms and daughters around the whole world. Merida exemplifies the role of women nowadays creating a solid identity based on her deepest values. She and her mother learn together that the only way to be truly happy is to rely on their own will to reach their wildest desires and to fight for the liberty that has always belonged to them, but was secretly stolen. This innovative version of a princess transmits confidence, inner strength, bravery, and shows that is possible for a woman to stand by herself. But never forget that, as Merida shows us, if we want to achieve that solemn goal, we will surely need a brave, wild heart.

“Sitting in My Box”

by Dee Lillegard
Illustrations by Jon Agee

Review by Laura Berenice Piceda

Funny and tender, “Sitting in My Box” is a children’s story which shows how children’s imagination can turn any daily experience into an amazing and incredible adventure. This book by Dee Lillegard tells the story of a young boy who sits inside a little box, and while he reads a book of wild animals he imagines that all of them come to visit him. Throughout the whole story, the author shows the readers the power of a child’s creativity, and the magic that can be found inside every single book.

The story begins when a giraffe knocks on the little box in which the boy is sitting and asks him to enter. Immediately after that, an elephant knocks and does the same. One by one, a big baboon, a lion and a hippopotamus appear; and join him and the rest of the animals inside the box. Then, the boy notices that all of them are standing because there’s no room to sit, but none of the animals wants to leave the box. Suddenly, a flea jumps right in the box. He bites the hippo and that starts a chain of bites that clears out the box, leaving the boy alone again with his own imagination.

Regarding the writing style, the story is really easy to read, due to the fact that sentences are simple and most of them are repeated, making the task of understanding easier for little children. The illustrations made by Jon Angee are catching, colorful and comic-like, and help the audience to follow the plot in a clear way.

“Sitting in my Box” is a funny story which will not only entertain children but also encourage them to use the power of their own imagination. They will surely love this book! It is a must for your library. Highly recommended.