Where the word on paper turns real. The axiology of negativity in a topical young adult novel

Abstract

The article offers a look at the philosophical and ethical foundations of the topical young adult novel through the prism of selected modern phenomenological interpretations. Through identification of the principal features of culture of presence, the study explains the genre-characteristic types of an ordinary and a special hero, the reason for abandoning the types of an ideal hero, a superhero, or a rebel, as well as the abundance of negativity in books for young adult audience. The article considers the axiology of emotions such as fear, hatred, love, anger, frustration, shame and despair and argues that these words change their conventional meanings for the opposite ones when used in a topical young adult novel. Adopted as ethical principles, erosion of the meaning, rejection of the single truth principle, individualism and diversity, in turn, allow for a unique view of the problem and its equally unique solution. The study compares the axiology of choice in the existential novel with that in the topical young adult novel. Special attention is paid to the essence of the relationship of the Self and the Other and their significance for the axiology of young adult authors.