Significance of The Theme of Death in Crossover Literature: A Case Study of Harry Potter and The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas

Abstract

Death is the inevitable status of life, and every individual must conform to the rule of nature. Naturally, literature works at all times incline to involve death as an eternal theme that worth deeper thinking and reflection. Crossover literature, now gaining increasing popularity, is no exception. Boyd Tonkin nicely encapsulates the working definition of crossover fiction: “a crossover novel is one ‘ostensibly written for children’ which ‘adults should read too’” (Tonkin 6). It blurs the borderline between traditionally separate readerships: children and adults. In different literature genres, discussions about the theme of death offer readers different reading experience, which largely determined by the manner in which the writers present it. There are some common ways to refer to this topic, For example, by poetically beautifying death as a symbol of getting rid of the pangs in real world, or directly depicting the detailed experience of death. However, considering the specialty of readerships of crossover literature, writers must handle their discussion on death carefully to satisfy the two different target audience groups — both children and adults. They differ in intelligence, values and life experiences, which lead to very divergent perspectives and preferences for books. The thesis explores two pieces of typical crossover literature work, Harry Potter series and The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas. Both of them are influential worldwide, attracting numerous readers of all ages. I concentrate primarily on the author’s portrayal of and reflection on the theme of death, also its profound influence exerted on readers.