Analysis: Olivia by Ian Falconer and anthropomorphism
Olivia by Ian Falconer is a clear depiction of a child’s spunk and imagination combined in one. This little pig follows Carolyn Burke and Joby Copenhaver’s defintion of anthropomorphism in Animals as People in Children’s Literature, as she states, “anthropomorphism involves assigning a human trait to an animal or object” (207). Interestingly enough, before the story begins, the first page says “Have fun with Olivia… dressing up, singing songs, building sands castles, napping (maybe), dancing, painting on walls, and-whew!- going to sleep at last” (Falconer). All of these characteristics would not be found in a normal day to day pig, but it would identify with a young little girl, which is just what Olivia is to relate to. This follows with what Elizabeth Dunn suggests, that there are stories “which are essentially about humans in animal form, where the kind of animal has no major impact on the story” (40). With that said, Olivia being a pig has no particular significance, but it is interesting to point out that the pig is following human form so much so that the pig family actually owns a cat. Not too often would one picture an animal owning another animal, and in this case it is simply an appearance of a pig that follows suit with the character, and only masks the human character within the story.
Furthermore, this story is a perfect example of the use of animal characters to appeal to a child due to its ambiguity. Although a girl pig, in general, this pig relates more to the characteristics of a young child. In fact, the entire book magnifies the vagueness that animal characters bring to the story in order to not discriminate against any of its young audience. For example, the illustrations and text are very simple, and the illustrations of Olivia herself are not usually gender specific or come off as very feminine, besides a couple images of her in particular girl articles of clothing. The simplicity of the story does not make it too girly for males to read, and therefore could appeal to both genders.
Carrying on with anthropomorphism leads to its next application of the idea that animal characters create a distance between the story and the reader. According to Burke and Copenhaver, one of the trends or topics that deal with anthropomorphism in children’s literature is power vs. weakness. Olivia goes from one activity to the next and proceeds to experience it with outmost confidence, and never ceases to shy from anything. An example of this is when Olivia is taught how to make sand castles and then on the next page there is this illustration of Olivia’s masterpiece and underneath it says “she got pretty good at it”. Whether it be going to the beach and not shying away from the ocean, to taking on cooking, jump roping, or painting, Olivia has the confidence to try all these things. Although not human, Olivia shows the courage to try all kinds of human activities, many of which can be intimidating for some children (i.e. going swimming in the ocean). Anthropomorphism encourages high self esteem as well as openness to new experiences by creating a separation with a threatening experience through animal characters (Copenhaver, Burke 212).
Work Cited
Burke, Carolyn L., and Joby G. Copenhaver. "Animals as People in Children's Literature." Language Arts 81.3 (2004): 205-213. Web. 18 Nov. 2010. <https://secure.ncte.org/library/NCTEFiles/Store/SampleFiles/Journals/la/LA0813Animals.pdf> Derby, James. "Anthropomorphism in Children's Literature or "Mom, My Doll is Talking Again."." Elementary English. 47. (1975): n. page. Web. 25 Feb. 2013. <http://www.jstor.org/discover/10.2307/41386644?uid=5660056&uid=3739560&uid=2129&uid=2134&uid=2&uid= 70&uid=3&uid=8024032&uid=67&uid=20018&uid=62&uid=3739256&sid=21101860786567>.
Falconer, Ian. Olivia. New York: Atheneum for Young Readers, 2000. Print.
Dunn, Elizabeth. Talking Animals: A Literature Review of Anthropomorphism in Children's Books. MA thesis. University of North Carolina, 2011. Web. <http://dc.lib.unc.edu/cdm/singleitem/collection/s_papers/id/1419/rec/13>.
Furthermore, this story is a perfect example of the use of animal characters to appeal to a child due to its ambiguity. Although a girl pig, in general, this pig relates more to the characteristics of a young child. In fact, the entire book magnifies the vagueness that animal characters bring to the story in order to not discriminate against any of its young audience. For example, the illustrations and text are very simple, and the illustrations of Olivia herself are not usually gender specific or come off as very feminine, besides a couple images of her in particular girl articles of clothing. The simplicity of the story does not make it too girly for males to read, and therefore could appeal to both genders.
Carrying on with anthropomorphism leads to its next application of the idea that animal characters create a distance between the story and the reader. According to Burke and Copenhaver, one of the trends or topics that deal with anthropomorphism in children’s literature is power vs. weakness. Olivia goes from one activity to the next and proceeds to experience it with outmost confidence, and never ceases to shy from anything. An example of this is when Olivia is taught how to make sand castles and then on the next page there is this illustration of Olivia’s masterpiece and underneath it says “she got pretty good at it”. Whether it be going to the beach and not shying away from the ocean, to taking on cooking, jump roping, or painting, Olivia has the confidence to try all these things. Although not human, Olivia shows the courage to try all kinds of human activities, many of which can be intimidating for some children (i.e. going swimming in the ocean). Anthropomorphism encourages high self esteem as well as openness to new experiences by creating a separation with a threatening experience through animal characters (Copenhaver, Burke 212).
Work Cited
Burke, Carolyn L., and Joby G. Copenhaver. "Animals as People in Children's Literature." Language Arts 81.3 (2004): 205-213. Web. 18 Nov. 2010. <https://secure.ncte.org/library/NCTEFiles/Store/SampleFiles/Journals/la/LA0813Animals.pdf> Derby, James. "Anthropomorphism in Children's Literature or "Mom, My Doll is Talking Again."." Elementary English. 47. (1975): n. page. Web. 25 Feb. 2013. <http://www.jstor.org/discover/10.2307/41386644?uid=5660056&uid=3739560&uid=2129&uid=2134&uid=2&uid= 70&uid=3&uid=8024032&uid=67&uid=20018&uid=62&uid=3739256&sid=21101860786567>.
Falconer, Ian. Olivia. New York: Atheneum for Young Readers, 2000. Print.
Dunn, Elizabeth. Talking Animals: A Literature Review of Anthropomorphism in Children's Books. MA thesis. University of North Carolina, 2011. Web. <http://dc.lib.unc.edu/cdm/singleitem/collection/s_papers/id/1419/rec/13>.