Disturbing the Universe: Power and Repression in Adolescent Literature

by Roberta S. Trites

The Young Adult novel is ordinarily characterized as a coming-of-age story, in which the narrative revolves around the individual growth and maturation of a character, but Roberta Trites expands this notion by chronicling the dynamics of power and repression that weave their way through YA books. Characters in these novels must learn to negotiate the levels of power that exist in the myriad social institutions within which they function, including family, church, government, and school. Trites argues that the development of the genre over the past thirty years is an outgrowth of postmodernism, since YA novels are, by definition, texts that interrogate the social construction of individuals. Drawing on such nineteenth-century precursors as Little Women and Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, Disturbing the Universe demonstrates how important it is to employ poststructuralist methodologies in analyzing adolescent literature, both in critical studies and in the classroom. Among the twentieth-century authors discussed are Blume, Hamilton, Hinton, Le Guin, L'Engle, and Zindel. Trites' work has applications for a broad range of readers, including scholars of children's literature and theorists of post-modernity as well as librarians and secondary-school teachers. Disturbing the Universe: Power and Repression in Adolescent Literature by Roberta Seelinger Trites is the winner of the 2002 Children's Literature Association's Book Award. The award is given annually in order to promote and recognize outstanding contributions to children's literature, history, scholarship, and criticisim; it is one of the highest academic honors that can accrue to an author of children's literary criticism.

Genres: Nonfiction, Theory, Academic, Adult, Criticism, College, Literary Criticism

189 pages, Paperback

First published April 1, 1998

Reviews

[Ennu Leiwo · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Most adolescent literature bears some sort of didactic impulse. In a literature often about growth, it is the rare author who can resist the impulse to moralize about how people grow.” (1999, 75)

Roberta Seelinger Trites is one of the few YA theorists (as there is still, 25 years after the publication of this book, very little theoretical discussion around youth literature) who, I feel, truly understands what the genre is about: not growth essentially, but power, repression, sex and death. In her careful discussion on canonical English and U.S. adolescent novels, Trites demonstrates how youth literature is not only a pedagogical tool but a complex literary genre deserving of serious theoretical engagement.

The most useful concept she introduces in the book is “the paradox of rebelling to conform.” She identifies this as a central tendency in YA narratives: they simultaneously empower and repress the young protagonist (and the young reader). As Trites argues, much of the genre is “dedicated to depicting how potentially out-of-control adolescents can learn to exist within institutional structures” (1999, 7). The political message is delivered when the adolescents in the stories repeatedly “fail at one form of institutionally proscribed rebellion before they find an institutionally tolerated form of rebellion that paradoxically allows them to remain within the system” (1999, 34).

This was my second reading of the book, and I’m so glad I took the time to reread it. Trites’ work really encourages and inspires me to engage with YA literature in a serious and theoretically ambitious way in my PhD.

[Audrey · Rating 5 out of 5]

someone explain to me why the cover of this book is so lame, but the inside is so fantastic!
YA lit is ALLLL ABOUTTT power.

[Naomi]

had to read this for class- it was really insightful and interesting!! as someone who reads a lot of young adult (and perhaps might try to write young adult in the future), i'm glad i got to learn about the publishing industry, the history of the genre, ideologies that authors have to follow in order to get published and popular... there's a lot. some of it for sure was disappointing; the restraints and limitations that authors have due to western ideals and culture makes it hard to offer liberational books for young adults (most of the messaging is conflicting and often liberating ideals are mixed with repressive ones). but! there is a glimmer of hope- because the young adult genre reflects the values and ideologies of western culture, hopefully, if positive change progresses, then the genre will as well.

all that said, i will continue to read young adult books, and try to not let myself get bogged down in the subtle and not-so-subtle messaging. i do believe that often, the liberating messages tend to overshadow the repressive ones, in my experience. at the very least, they demonstrate the prevalence of injustices and encourage young adults to enact their own agency and make a difference. yay!

[Pamela · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a really excellent book about the problem novel in adolescent lit. Trites applies several theoretical frameworks in this text, from Freud and Lacan to Foucault, as well as several major figures in children's/YA lit. I'd definitely recommend this to anyone interested in studying the problem novel.

[Abbey · Rating 4 out of 5]

a great analysis of power and repression in young adult literature. discussion on how young protagonists are simultaneously liberated and oppressed as they come of age. would have preferred a more explicit conversation of gender and race, but will settle for this. relies heavily on foucault....and i like that.

[Emily (Fractured Mirror Publishing) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not enough is written on Young Adult literature and Trites does an amazing job focusing on power play in YA lit. I had to read this for a Ethnicity and the Child class and was completely blown away. =]

[Neda · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very complete and interesting analysis of YA novels. It gives great insights into empowerment, critical reading, death, sexuality and etc.
I especially loved the part about novels in which we have photography. The action of taking pictures would give the protagonist some voice in this chaotic world. I've actually never looked at it in this way.
All thanks to dr. Trites! :)

[Karin · Rating 3 out of 5]

While this is certainly an interesting study of adolescent literature, it does contain numerous inconsistencies and several flaws in reasoning. Nevertheless well worth the read.

[Emma Rategan · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must-read for anyone interested in young adult literature. One of the most fundamental texts for understanding the genre.

[S · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting stuff. A little dense at times but overall an interesting read

[Wardah Kloub · Rating 4 out of 5]

i want to readDisturbing the Universe: Power and Repression in Adolescent Literature

[Dana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wonderful book. Full of good information about YA Lit. It will make you say, "Hmmm I wish I'd thought of that."

[Melusine Parry · Rating 4 out of 5]

Unexpectedly tells you everything, including the END, of The Chocolate War in the very first chapter. Thank you very much, I was planning on reading it.

[Vasili Birlidis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read for LIT 4333 - Literature for the Adolescent with Ms. Gregory (fourth year, University of Florida, Spring 2017).

[EvaLovesYA · Rating 4 out of 5]

Brugt til speciale om Young Adult-litteratur (2017)