Auteur(s) :

Sènakpon Adelphe Fortuné AZON, Komi BEGEDOU, Komla M. AVONO.

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Résumé :

This paper analyses loss and loneliness in children’s literature, focusing on Harris’s What the Fireflies Knew. Modern society is rife with violence, ignorance, and misunderstandings, which is often showcased in adult literature and media. However, children’s literature mostly seeks to shield young readers from the harsh realities of life, instead offering overly romanticized narratives that fail to prepare them for real-world challenges. Harris’s novel departs from this trend by presenting a ten-year-old black protagonist navigating a world marked by family breakdown, loneliness, and loss. Through a close analysis of Harris’s literary techniques and thematic choices, this study analyzes how the novel realistically portrays the emotional struggles of its young protagonist, KB, as she copes with isolation and the loss of her family structure. Based on elements of narratology and literary stylistics, the paper examines Harris’s construction of an emotionally resonant narrative that captures the complexity of the experiences of black girls in America. By highlighting the rarity of realistic youth literature that addresses the unsparing truths of children’s lives, the authors argue for a more honest portrayal of childhood’s tribulations in literature, suggesting that such works can provide crucial insight and preparedness for young readers facing the realities of a world fraught with violence and solitude.

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