Thematic (de)tabooization in contemporary Czech literature for children and youth

Radek Malý

Fakulta sociálních věd Univerzity Karlovy, Institut komunikačních studií a žurnalistiky, Katedra žurnalistiky
http://orcid.org/0000-0001-5205-0139

Abstract

The paper deals with the question of tabooization in contemporary Czech children’s literature. Firstly, it is an attempt to define the term “taboo” from the position of a specific genre, such as literature for children. Then, using selected examples of contemporary Czech books for children, we will try to show how contemporary authors and illustrators treat the categories of vulgarity, sexuality and physicality. Do they intend to express the desire to cross social taboos and shock, or the desire to speak “naturally about natural things”? This endeavor to cross borders is most likely related to the so-called collapse of the age category in literature for children and youth.

Keywords:

literature for children; vulgarity; sexuality; physicality