The concept of the hero in selected adolescent novels

Since the protagonist of the adolescent novel is an adolescent dealing with conflict, the resolution of that conflict can serve a didactic purpose for the adolescent reader. The purpose of this study was to examine the concept of the hero as it emerges in the adolescent novel.

Fifteen novels were selected based on frequency from a survey of specialists in the field of adolescent literature. The method for content analysis, suggested by Kerlinger, consists of theme, character, and the sequence of events confronting the protagonist. To create a framework for analysis, the study was divided into three areas: the quest-hero, the alienated hero--or outsider, and the hero as moralist.

Chapter I was introductory. Chapter II was a survey of criticism which produced two significant findings. First, a majority of critics believe that adolescent literature can produce a positive classroom experience if taught in conjunction with traditional literature. Second, most critics feel that adolescent readers can especially benefit from exposure to the adolescent novel, because it presents heroes who struggle to resolve conflicts in a world which is familiar to the adolescent reader. Chapter III revealed that the fictional adolescent quest is an attempt to achieve self-identity, or an experiential process that facilitates the transition from childhood iii to adulthood. Chapter IV revealed that alienation of an adolescent protagonist occurs because the hero fails to achieve a sense of self-identity, or a sense of identity related to family or society. Chapter V revealed that the adolescent hero learns moral responsibility only when there is a recognition of the moral dilemma, a struggle to resolve the conflict, and a positive resolution. However, the adolescent reader can learn from either a positive or negative resolution.

Further study is suggested. There is a need for interactive classroom studies to determine how adolescent readers respond to the resolution achieved by the adolescent hero in selected novels.