Disenchanted childhood: On the example of selected literary works

The essay is an attempt to disenchant the concept of childhood. Based on Lord of the Flies by William Golding and other literary works, the Author deals with the image of a child created as an innocent, incapable of evil, putting emphasis on the subjectivity of a child. The essay shows the important role of children in social life and discusses the theses of developmental psychology in which dominates the gradual nature of human development. It also emphasizes the signifi cance of recognizing a child as a human being, an important, conscious person, capable of evil, hence deserving respect. 

The essay is an attempt to disenchant the concept of childhood. Based on Lord of the Flies by William Golding and other literary works, the Author deals with the image of a child created as an innocent, incapable of evil, putting emphasis on the subjectivity of a child. The essay shows the important role of children in social life and discusses the theses of developmental psychology in which dominates the gradual nature of human development. It also emphasizes the signifi cance of recognizing a child as a human being, an important, conscious person, capable of evil, hence deserving respect.