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Representations of Religion and Culture in Children’s Literature |
89www.jrfm.eu
2018, 4/1, 81–99
In this case, own and foreign identities
are not illustrated by characters that
differ in national, religious or cultural
ways, but by figures that represent dif-
ference in terms of generations. Huda
depicts what intended recipients
would recognise, whereas Huda’s
grandma illustrates otherness. Ques-
tioning and responding exhibit nesci-
ence, as do also visual illustrations.
The story “Lili und das chinesische
Frühlingsfest” exemplifies the charac-
terisation of own identities inasmuch
as Emma is always depicted as unin-
formed and curious about the host’s
Chinese traditions (figs. 6–8).
CULTURE AND CULTURAL
IMAGINARIES
The term “culture” is often used im-
precisely in both academic and popu-
lar spheres. However, culture is a con-
cept frequently used in contemporary
children’s literature in connection
with religion and migration, employed
to represent differences between
own and foreign identities. Here the
analysis focuses on the production
of cultural meaning in light of the
cultural imaginary. According to Hall,
a group’s identity is based on shared
meanings that distinguish members of
one group from members of another
group.23 Elena Croitoru notes,
The cultural imaginary can be said to
make up for the loss of the sense of be-
longing, thus leading to the concepts
of a nation as an “imagined community” (nationhood) and identity. Therefore, cul-
tural imaginary is socially constructed to suit the needs of a community, of a particu-
23 Kramer 2008, 272. Fig.6–8: A facial expression of nescience and
admiration in Yu-Dembski/Leberer (illust.), Lili
und das chinesische Frühlingsfest (n. pag) ©
Carlsen Verlag GmbH, Hamburg 2011.
JRFM
Journal Religion Film Media, Volume 04/01
- Title
- JRFM
- Subtitle
- Journal Religion Film Media
- Volume
- 04/01
- Authors
- Christian Wessely
- Daria Pezzoli-Olgiati
- Editor
- Uni-Graz
- Publisher
- SchĂĽren Verlag GmbH
- Location
- Graz
- Date
- 2018
- Language
- English
- License
- CC BY-NC 4.0
- Size
- 14.8 x 21.0 cm
- Pages
- 129
- Categories
- Zeitschriften JRFM