Click on a thumbnail to go to Google Books.
Loading... The Children's Story (original 1963; edition 1994)by James Clavell
Work InformationThe Children's Story by James Clavell (1963)
None Loading...
Sign up for LibraryThing to find out whether you'll like this book. No current Talk conversations about this book. This story takes place in a classroom somewhere in the U.S., with the feeling that a war has been lost. A new teacher is brought in to educate the youngsters while the old teacher is sent to the principal’s office, never to be seen again. This new teacher is young, enthusiastic, and friendly – exactly the type of person that sends warning signals to an adult, but easily wins over children with her alleged logic about loyalty and symbols, religion, and patriotism. When one boy argues they always begin the day with the Pledge of Allegiance, she acquiesces then challenges the children to explain what it means. She kindly questions everything they have to say, gently leading them toward what we know to be the new party line. An excellent short story that will make you angry and horrified. It warns how easily children can be manipulated by adults. A quick read at only 96 pages, it will, nonetheless, stay with you for a long time. Impressionable young children w/ Teacher It was a simple incident in the life of James Clavell—a talk with his young daughter just home from school—that inspired this chilling tale of what could happen in twenty-five quietly devastating minutes. He writes, "The Children's Story came into being that day. It was then that I really realized how vulnerable my child's mind was —any mind, for that matter—under controlled circumstances. Normally I write and rewrite and re-rewrite, but this story came quickly—almost by itself. Barely three words were changed. It pleases me greatly because I kept asking the questions… Questions like, What's the use of 'I pledge allegiance' without understanding? Like Why is it so easy to divert thoughts? Like What is freedom? and Why is so hard to explain? The Children's Story keeps asking me all sorts of questions I cannot answer. Perhaps you can—then your child will...." This book was a gift of my BC friend. Knowing I like James Clavell, she thought I might like this book by him too. And she was right. I think it is not really a book for children, I think it is more for teens. Children do not have very much insight in how 'people work', how people can manipulate and be manipulated. For grown ups it can be an eye opener, makes very clear how easy it is to maniputale children, let them believe what you want. Even the ones that are skeptical can be turned into the direction you want to. For parents of young children it is a warning that you should try to know what is going on in your child's life e.g. at school like in this little book. I liked it a lot!! no reviews | add a review
Has the adaptation
It was a simple incident in the life of James Clavell--a talk with his young daughter just home from school--that inspired this chilling tale of what could happen in twenty-five quietly devastating minutes. He writes, "The Children's Story came into being that day. It was then that I really realized how vulnerable my child's mind was --any mind, for that matter--under controlled circumstances. Normally I write and rewrite and re-rewrite, but this story came quickly--almost by itself. Barely three words were changed. It pleases me greatly because I kept asking the questions... Questions like, What's the use of 'I pledge allegiance' without understanding? Like Why is it so easy to divert thoughts? Like What is freedom? and Why is so hard to explain? The Children's Story keeps asking me all sorts of questions I cannot answer. Perhaps you can--then your child will...." No library descriptions found. |
Current DiscussionsNonePopular covers
Google Books — Loading... GenresMelvil Decimal System (DDC)813Literature English (North America) American fictionLC ClassificationRatingAverage:
Is this you?Become a LibraryThing Author. |
The last few pages of this little book present a reproduction of Clavell’s scrawling handwritten explanation of the genesis of the story. According to this account, years ago one of Clavell’s children asked for a dime as a reward for quickly, accurately, and fluently reciting the pledge of allegiance—without comprehending a single word of what she was saying. This apparently concerned him greatly. Not understanding what you’re signing on to, obediently and unquestioningly doing what you’re told, and being rewarded for easy compliance, as the story illustrates, sets you up to be indoctrinated, controlled, and exploited by others (including pretty, olive-drab-clad young women who are cogs in Dear Leader’s communist, atheistic oppressive system).
This is a facile, underwhelming little story, dressed up as a cautionary tale. It’s not quite clear whether the author thinks the pledge is a bad thing in itself (though I detected a slight whiff of horror at the possibility of a nation’s religion and belief in God being erased). What Clavell seems to be concerned about is citizens, even the youngest, not being encouraged to think about what they’ are taught. When an educational system values and fosters obedience and compliance in children, it consequently plays a major role in creating a society whose citizenry is vulnerable to manipulation and control—by its own government and others.
Who can argue with that? ( )