Browsing by Subject "Children’s literature"

This thesis examines representations of gender norms and hegemonic masculinity in the Diary of a Wimpy Kid series. These immensely successful easy-to-read books have gained almost no literary attention when it comes to gender issues although the portrayal of masculinity in children’s literature has been a growing concern during the past few decades. Greg, the protagonist of the series, is depicted as being pressured into fitting the ideals of hegemonic masculinity, which is, in this thesis, defined as the normative and traditional masculinity against which one’s “manliness” is often measured in the society. The ideals of this hegemonic masculinity include attributes such as physical fitness, toughness and independence. In this thesis, the portrayal of gender in the series is explored through the themes of learned gender norms, popularity and appearance, bullying, and emotions in masculine relationships. It is argued that the portrayal of masculinity in the series is limited, and gender norms are exaggerated for a humorous effect. Although the protagonist’s mother offers some alternative ways of performing gender, both parents are depicted as attempting to raise their versions of a “perfect son” and Greg learns to adhere to the norms of hegemonic masculinity at home as well as at school. The thesis discusses how Greg learns to perform his masculinity correctly to avoid negative attention and bullying as well as maintain his status particularly among his peers. The portrayal of gender in the series indicates the continued dominance of the traditional gender binary in children’s books, reflecting the views in our society. The thesis offers an overview of how current popular children’s literature portrays gender and offers possibilities for further exploration of the recent diary cartoon trend among books targeted for preteens.