Morality
1.) In our discussion about the way these stories teach morality, it was suggested by some that they are a means to a simple moral end. Still, is it better to instill an idea based on fear (if you do something wrong you'll be punished and if you do something right you'll be rewarded)? Or is it better to try and teach them the concept of knowing what is good vs just doing what is good because you'll get something in return. Do you think that children's literature of the 18th Century succeeds or fails (in either approach) to encourage children to behave morally? Furthermore, is there anything problematic with some of the morals valued in these stories?
Nationhood
2.)What about Eric's comment about the desire to form the nation state and how parents instilled these values because they wanted their children to be good members of society? How does the concept of nationhood enter into childhood or children's literature? Do you see any connections with patriotic texts we have previously encountered in the course? Do you feel it is a formative part of childhood now?
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The line between ideals of nationhood and societies ideals are very thin. They are so very similar. Abstract communities to which large masses of people conform to share ideals. A moral child is going to be moral within the abstract concept of the nation.
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