Edith Nesbit's contemporary fairy tales: The influence of childhood experiences on artistic manifestation

Abstract

This research conducts a comprehensive examination of the influence exerted by early life experiences on an author's literary corpus, with a particular emphasis on Edith Nesbit (1858-1924), the author of children’s novel, and her incorporation of childhood memories to enrich the contemporary fairy tale genre. Utilizing Melanie Klein’s (1882-1960) theoretical framework, a renowned Austrian-British psychoanalyst, the investigation endeavours to deliver an exhaustive analysis of Nesbit's artistic persona. Nesbit's children's narratives, as modern fairy tales, embody an internal realm of unconscious reverie akin to Klein's concept of phantasy. Central to Nesbit's tales are young protagonists who confront challenges associated with separation from caregivers, the establishment of identity, reality appraisal, body image maturation, and object relations. Edith Nesbit's harrowing childhood experiences shaped her into the imaginative author she ultimately became. By delving into the realm of fantasy and creativity, Nesbit achieved a sense of completeness and resilience, allowing her to overcome her feelings of loss and vulnerability. This research aims to shed light on the complex link between a writer's formative years and their creative expressions by examining the remnants of Nesbit's early life experiences. Furthermore, by emphasizing Edith Nesbit's ability to transform her experiences into her artistic body of work, this study also demonstrates the power of artistic expression as a means of self-exploration and healing.