Essay Questions

Potter's books appeal to children and adults alike on different levels. Why is this?

Beatrix Potter's animal tales are like an nineteenth century version of The Simpsons in that they appeal to both adults and children on entirely different levels without either being able to see or understand the appeal to the other. One of the main ways in which she achieves this is by using each tale as a sort of "teachable moment", but one that adults see as a deeper issue than children do. A good example of this is in the story of Jemima Puddleduck; the tale, a Potter-ized reworking of Little Red Riding Hood, appeals to children as a fairy tale, as proof that scary things can be confronted and also as a sign that eventually good will triumph over bad. These are all important lessons for children and also lessons that they readily identify with.

An adult will see more layers to the story; such a reader will see temptation. The story shows a degree of "the beast within" and is sometimes more like a spiritual tale in that it is a lesson that although we might have a beast inside us we must never succumb to its temptations. On both levels there is a serious way of looking at the story and also a more lighthearted and fairy tale one, depending on the age of the reader.

How does Potter teach children about manners through her books?

Potter is very skilled in her teaching because she lets her young readers know that it is perfectly fine and understandable to find manners and etiquette a stifling and frankly rather annoying addition to days that have previously been play-filled and carefree. The best example of this is in The Tale of Tom Kitten. Tom is a playful, mischievous and rather overweight young kitten who loves to play, get into things he should get into, and generally be on the move all the time. He does not want to get dressed up in suits (they are stiff and they don't fit anyways) and he does not want to sit quietly in a room with adults at a tea party. Potter, by narrating almost from Tom's point of view, tells her readers that this view of manners is completely understandable and very accurate, but also explains that manners and etiquette are going to be required so it is best to try to learn them and have them on hand. By identifying with her young readers it is easier to teach them the importance of manners than it would be if her books were written from a more adult viewpoint or written in a more instructional kind of way.