Orphan Stories Essay - 4714 Words

Orphan Stories Throughout our lives we move from one story to the next. Whether we are listeners, readers or writers â€Å"we live our lives immersed in stories.’ From the many stories we encounter, both fiction and non-fiction, the orphan figure stands out as one of the most prominent figures in literature. Orphan figures have prevailed in the literary arena for centuries, from ancient poetry, folktales, and myths to modern day novels. This constant reoccurrence of the orphan figure in literature emphasizes the need to understand the significance attached to it. However, according to the editors of Bastardy and its Comparative History literatures great interest on the orphan figure is poorly reflected in literary criticism. It is further†¦show more content†¦------- notes that the orphan figure shed its untamed and negative representation of the past and entered the developing novel as a heroic figure in eighteenth century English novel.(ck article). The establishment of orphan as heroic figure in eighteenth century literature is commonly associated with the dawn of the enlightenment and romanticism in the eighteenth century. Furthermore, the socio-historic explanation correlates the increasing philanthropic gestures for example the establishing of foundling hospitals and the increased attention on the child with the rise in positive orphan figures in literature. This literary revolution was perceived as a reflection of the rise in the care and protection of orphaned and abandoned children, in other words an expression of social concern. This study is committed to the eighteenth century English novel because this was when the literary orphan came to be celebrated as a heroic figure in English literature, thus marking a notable departure from earlier representations of the orphan. This socio-historical commentary is valid however; it disregards the fact that the novels are not accurate portrayals of society. Important facts: first the philanthropic attitude in the novels is simply not a reflection of the literal changes in society, the novels cannot be classified an expression ofShow MoreRelatedOrphan Train : A Historical Fiction Novel Written By Christina Baker Kline1120 Words   |  5 Pages Orphan Train, a historical fiction novel written by Christina Baker Kline, focuses on the lives of two very different people that have very similar backgrounds. Along with writing and editing many novels, Kline has taught multiple literature-based classes, such as poetry and non-fiction writing. Out of all of her fiction pieces, Orphan Train is the first of which that is based off of historic events and the real stories her mother-in-laws’ father told. 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