Children's Literature

The development of children’s literature reflects a changed understanding of childhood. Prior to the late 1600s, children were believed to be born in a naturally depraved state, which required an education designed for the salvation of their souls. Children’s literature reflected that need to save souls with highly instructive and moralistic stories. In 1693, John Locke departed from the idea of a natural state of depravity that needed to be eradicated and instead introduced the idea of a child as a “tabula rosa” or blank page. Now, children’s literature still served to instruct children, but because the starting point was a blank page instead of a soul marred by original sin, the literature could be both entertaining and instructive.