Research question: What is the role of 'happy endings' in children's literature? Specifically, can they inspire optimism and resilience in children?
I am fascinated by the role of ‘happy endings’ in children’s literature, specifically their potential to inspire optimism and resilience in young minds. I plan to conduct a qualitative analysis of a seminal children’s novel: C.S. Lewis’ The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe (1950). Written in the aftermath of World War II and shaped by Lewis’ service in World War I, the novel reflects a yearning for hope, restoration, and the triumph of good over evil. During the war, thousands of children were displaced from their families and evacuated to unfamiliar environments. Inspired by these experiences, the story follows the Pevensie siblings, after they were relocated to the countryside, into Narnia, a mysterious realm concealed within a wardrobe.
The uplifting finale presents an alternate reality, demonstrating how life could have unfolded with different choices, thus offering its readers psychological respite. To explore the novel’s continued influence on children, my analysis will focus on the thematic aspects of its ending, character resolutions, and narrative arc. Consequently, I will understand if and how the environment it was inspired by impacts the story’s effect on children.
Understanding how happy endings affect children can open new ways of thinking about education, parenting, and leadership. This research could provide ideas to boost resilience and optimism in young readers by demonstrating how reading, specifically happy endings, influences their well-being. Ultimately, I aim to uncover whether the hope offered by children’s literature can serve as a foundation for a more proactive and compassionate generation.