Part One (due before class on Jan. 22nd):
Directions: Skim and summarize both “Harry Potter and the Technology of Magic,” by Elizabeth Teare (Inquiry 548-562), and “Lies My Children’s Books Taught Me: History Meets Popular Culture in the American Girls Books,” by Daniel Hade (Inquiry 563-573), according to the layout under "Writing a Summary" on pg. 144 of Inquiry; use the list form, only 1-3.
Ex.
Teare:
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3.
Hade:
1.
2.
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Part Two (due before class on Jan. 27th):
Directions: Re-read both “Harry Potter and the Technology of Magic,” by Elizabeth Teare (Inquiry 548-562), and “Lies My Children’s Books Taught Me: History Meets Popular Culture in the American Girls Books,” by Daniel Hade (Inquiry 563-573), and contextualize the two articles. Indicate why the articles would be important to a particular claim/argument/thesis.
Part One and Two will help you to write your annotations for your first assignment.
Replies: stay professional, and offer any advice to your classmates that you think they could use to improve their work. Also look at the work of others and see how you might use their example to improve your own work.
Priscilla Breckenridge
ReplyDeleteENG 122
Teare:
1. In “Harry Potter and the Technology of Magic” Teare writes about the commercialization, and thus, consumerism of children’s literature and how technology has changed the way that younger readers interact with literature. She also argues that the Harry Potter novels “attempt to make their own creative appropriation of the problem of consumer goods and media” (para. 14).
2. Teare explains how children would rather watch a movie or play a video game than read the book in which these mediums derived from. Teare writes, “Books have lost children’s attention … to other media that present narrative fantasies” (para. 6).
Teare uses the Harry Potter novels to illustrate how the characters face the same challenges we do when it comes to consumerism. A great example is when she mentioned the scene of the Quidditch cup where the children would spend their money on “schlocky souvenirs” (para. 25), then states that though it might be funny “the humor loses some of its force when the reader remembers that collectible figurines … are part of the vast array of Harry Potter merchandise now available” (para. 25).
3. In “Harry Potter and the Magic of Technology” Teare mainly focuses on consumerism and how the Harry Potter novels depict the challenges that society faces today. She writes on how Rowling has some characters fall victim to consumerism and others overcome it.
Hade:
1. In “Lies My Children’s Book Taught Me” Hade argues that the American Girls books, though allegedly written to teach girls about American history, are not about teaching true history, but a romanticized version of American history. The books do not tell the true history about children in American at the time period for which the story was written. He argues that the stories focus on the “feel good” version of history.
2. Hade points out that in one of the books children are blamed for disobeying child labor laws. He writes “By stating that it was the children who disobeyed the laws, the books obscure the truth that it was employers who were … responsible for the wretched
working conditions.” (para. 30)
3. “Lies My Children’s Book Taught Me” discusses the inaccuracies in stories written for children. Hade focuses on the American Girl books pointing out how its historical facts are misleading.
1: Teare’s main claim is that in the July/August issue of Book lists J.K Rowling as one of the top ten most influential people in publishing because of an almost magical power to make books succeed in the marketplace.
ReplyDelete2: Author’s main claims: The Harry Potter books have transformed both the technologies of reading and the way we understand those technologies. According to Le Guin in her critique of what she calls “commodified fantasy”; the “mills of capitalism” take advantage of modern stability, ancient truths, immutable simplicities of fantasy providing readers with empty imitations. Are Rowling’s novels too, as they have been published and marketed, only “commodified fantasy”? The producers and consumers of children’s literature have traditionally constructed their cultural position in opposition of capitalist enterprise. Publishers are better, more wholesome, than the manufacturers who flood the children’s market with toys like Pokémon and participate in an interlocking system of cartoons and video games and movies and plastic toys and clothing and accessories and trading cards, all designed to encourage continued consumption in search of the rare missing card, like the golden ticket to Willy Wonka’s factory. Read the American Girls and buy the dolls, their outfits and furniture, the matching doll-and-owner American Girl jackets, tickets to the American Girl revue… Disney, of course, is the merchandising master of this game.
3: The gist of this essay is that J.R Rowling’s books have been commercially exploited, but also narratives a story that allows readers to either participate in the commerce or keep themselves away from it.
1: Hade’s main argument is that although the American Girl book series and the Pleasant Company claim being a historically accurate source of information and ideas for young girls in the United States.
2: Some key arguments are found on page 565 paragraph 5,6, 7 and 8. Page 566 paragraph 9, 10 and 12.
3: I believe that the gist of this essay is to reveal the truth about the American Girl book series, doll collection and accessories. He claims that these books aren’t as historically correct as they state and that the intentions of the Pleasant Company are to get people to consume stuff, rather than to teach.
Part One
ReplyDeleteTeare
1. Elizabeth Teare in Harry Potter and the Technology of Magic speaks about the commercialism found inside the series and surrounding the Harry Potter Franchise.
2. Examples given include how the book makes fun of various adults and their materialistic desires while almost rewarding the main characters for the same attitudes (560-561).
3. Teare speaks about the history children's fantasy literature has with “modern commodity culture” and how on the surface Harry Potter seems to hold the same values as its contemporaries. However, the Harry Potter series is rather uneven in its messaging regarding consumerism.
Hade
1. Daniel Hade's key claim is how history can not be reduced to a simple commodity for mass consumption without watering it down or romanticizing history in some way.
2. Two of Hade's largest examples are inaccuracies of the “Peek into the Past portion of Meet Kirsten, and differences between the official American Girl Samantha and her acquaintance Nellie
3. Using the American Girl merchandise of the Pleasant Company, Hade examines the historical inaccuracies (566-567) and how the lifestyles put forward don't represent what was really happening to most American children at the time (568-569).
Part Two
DeleteIn “Harry Potter and the Technology of Magic” Elizabeth Teare examines the commodification of children literature. Using the popular Harry Potter franchise as backdrop, Teare examines how the series has handled materialistic wants and desires both inside its universe of books, and outside in the world market. Teare also looks at how Harry Potter holds up to previous works in children literature as well as the materials present in other popular children's stories. Teare's work can be used as an example of the shifts in modern day culture and the growing connections between all media in the 21st century.
Daniel Hade's “Lies My Children's Books Taught Me: History Meets Popular Culture in the American Girls Books” explores how the Pleasant Company's American Girls brand has warped history in order to make it easier for mass consumption. Hade also looks at how this not only dilutes historical lessons for future generations but how it reaps companies a solid profit. Making a great case for the dangers of turning children's literature into a commodity, even in the interest of doing something good.
Teare:
ReplyDelete1. In “Harry Potter and the Technology of Magic” written by Elizabeth Teare, she talks about how modern times influence the way society consumes literature and the ways kids are persuaded to spend money on toys associated with the books they read . Teare claims that “twenty-first-century commercial and technological culture” (para.1) has an effect on the merchandise people buy.
2. Teare claims that today’s stories are nothing more then repeated works that have more of a desire to make money then to entertain readers (page. 550). Teare further raises the question of purpose in today’s literature by asking if children novels are focused more on selling action figures and toys associated with the literature “bright plastic tie-in merchandise”.
3. Teare’s essay gives a better understanding of how today’s technology and media has an effect on literature. By using Harry Potter books she shows how the novels have a chain reaction in producing profit and claims that profit is the main goal in the series “Money is always a concern and often a worry in Rowling’s world, as we might expect” (page 559).
Hade:
1. In “Lies My Children’s Book Taught Me” Daniel Hade argues that although the main purpose of American Girl doll is to educate today’s young girls about the American History and the roles girls played throughout history, the main purpose is to make money “turn history into a commodity to be bought and sold” (para.35).
2. Hade also states that the Pleasant Company is misleading and inaccurate in educating today’s girls by pointing out errors in some of the books. Hade shows examples of” misspelled names, inaccurate routes, and misleading statements” (para. 18). Further supporting his claim that profit is the motivation behind Pleasant Company and inaccurate history is acceptable.
3. In “Lies My Children’s Book Taught Me” Hade shows how “The American Girl” collection is a way Pleasant Company uses American History as business strategy, and is willing to teach children inaccuracies in order to make profit.
Teare:
ReplyDeleteElizabeth Teare is a Yale graduate and well known author. Teare has written Biographies of famous writers, but also shows interest in children’s literature. Her essay “Harry Potter and the Technology of Magic” published in The Ivory Tower and Harry Potter (2002), paints a vivid picture of the concerns associated with today’s children’s books and the ultimate goal of making money by turning those books into movies, action figures and accessories. Teares essay is very relevant when it comes to debating whether or not today’s children literature is written to entertain kids or used as a gateway to further generate profits.
Hade:
Daniel Hade is an educator, publisher, and editor. One of his areas of interests is on the values and accurate history lessons today’s literature teaches children. In his essay “Lies My Children’s Books Taught Me: History Meets Popular Culture in the American Girls Book” Hade debates whether or not the “American Girl” book collection is historically accurate and if the company that produces the literature has the primary goal of generating profits. His essay is important because he shows how a company claiming to be a good source of education, catered to American History is inaccurate in facts. Hade further supports his claim by showing how the Pleasant Company, makers of the “American Girl” book collection manipulates children, parents, and even school teachers by selling expensive dolls, accessories, and lesson plans.
Dr. Elizabeth Teare, a literature professor at Yale, wrote an essay titled “Harry Potter and the Technology of Magic” which was published in “The Ivory Tower and Harry Potter: Perspectives in Literary Phenomenon” (2002). In it she argues how commercialism has invaded children’s literature. She argues that the stories written today promote consumerism in both stories and real life. Using the examples Dr. Teare adopts in her essay one could easily provide evidence to support the claim that children’s literature is more about commercialization than literacy.
ReplyDeleteProfessor Daniel Hade teaches literacy and language at Penn State’s College of Education. He participates in research geared to children’s experience in reading and the values and ideals in children’s literature. In “Lies My Children’s Books Taught Me: History Meets Popular Culture in the American Girls Books” he challenges the historical accuracy in the “American Girls” books. He claims that the stories are misleading in their interpretations of American History. Hade questions whether it really is history the Pleasant Company is selling. He states that the ultimate goal of the company is consumerism. Hade’s essay could be used to substantiate the idea that children’s literature is being used to promote consumerism. Aside from his opinions he has hard facts about American history to back up his claims.
Teare:
ReplyDelete1. Teare's main claim is that the Harry Potter books both condemn and support the consumer culture.
2. Teare quotes Linton Weeks of the Washington post, "Are the Harry Potter books a real alternative to children’s commodity culture, or are they just the most cleverly packages part of it?” (552) She also notes, “While wizardly technologies may not look like the commodities we are used to, they are nonetheless marketed and consumed as ours are.” (559) She further supports her thesis with, “The adult readers, critics, and publishers concerned with the definition of culture, in particular, have found in Rowling’s narratives a story that allows them both to participate in the messy world of millennial commerce and technology and to hold themselves apart from it.” (561)
3. Teare provides ample examples of how Rowling condemns consumer culture in her books but then she also promotes consumer culture in the children’s behavior and attitudes. While much of her argument seems based on her personal opinion , she also pulls in enough outside sources to make her claims believable.
Hade:
1. Hade’s main claim is that the American Girl franchise’s main goal is not to connect girls with history so much as a lesson in consumerism.
2. Hade states “The success of the Pleasant Company and the popularity of its books, dolls and other products is based upon a shrewd packaging and selling of history.” (566) He also states, “…the Pleasant Co. assures parents and girls that their materials are thoroughly researched and historically accurate. “ (566) Hade further claims, “Ultimately, the goal of these books, the dolls and accessories, and the associated programs seems to be to connect American girls, not with their history, but with the ultimate American goal – consuming stuff.”(572)
3. Hade’s essay presents the idea that the American Girl books contain quite a few historical errors, but more importantly, have glossed over the struggles of actual young girls in America. Instead of teaching lessons based on fact, even difficult fact, the books offer a view of life through rose-colored glasses.
Elizabeth Teare is a Professor of Literature at Yale and University of Dayton. She presented a draft of this piece at the 1999 Modern Language Association convention. It was later published in The Ivory Tower and Harry Potter – Perspectives on a Literary Phenomenon (2002), a collection edited by Lana A. Whited. Teare looks at the “twenty-first century commercial and technological culture” that shapes consumerist themes in many children’s books and the marketing of merchandise associated with children’s books and films.
ReplyDeleteDaniel Hade is a Professor of language and literacy education at Penn State’s College of Education. He edited Journal of Children’s Literature and published on the topic of children and reading. He previously taught fifth grade and worked as an elementary school library and media specialist. Hade is part of a vibrant community of literature and education scholars who study the “cultural work” performed by children’s literature. Hade points to the historical inaccuracies in the American Girl books as evidence that Pleasant Company is more interested in selling their products than in presenting factual history. The misrepresented history also glosses over the difficulties that the majority of people (children included) experienced in these time periods.