Content area
Full Text
The Arcadian motif takes new and unorthodox forms in modern children's literature. Tijana Tropin argues here that in the 20th century, when a new view of childhood as no longer an idyllic period emerged, escapism became Arcadia's most important aspect
The Arcadian motif in literature has a long history that dates back to Hesiod, but more famously to Theocritus and Virgil, who transferred the image of idyllic, innocent rural life from Hesiod's legendary Golden Age to the Greek province of Arcadia. ER Curtius (1948) describes the perfect embodiment of Arcadia, the locus amoenus, as a beautiful quiet place with meadows, trees, running water and birdsong, in a state of eternal spring. It has appeared as a background and leitmotif in all idyllic poetry since Theocritus; over time, this picture of an actual Greek province turned into an abstract, symbolic place, equated with a happy, simple way of life.
Later poets and artists kept both the name of Arcadia and the mythical overtones of the Golden Age in their idyllic and pastoral poetry; Christian authors appropriated the image of Arcadia during the Renaissance and added a strong association with Eden, especially by stressing the innocence of Arcadia's inhabitants. Much of their symbolism can be traced to the fact that the Christian image of the Garden of Eden has exactly the same scenery as the locus amoenus: rivers, meadows, fruitful trees and eternal spring. Christian writers have often adapted Virgil to their needs. Paradise is shown as a secluded garden, hortus conclusus, but it still contains the same elements and, of course, nature is intact, without any agriculture, since people did not start working until after leaving Eden. The description of heaven, as well as Arcadia, relies on Virgil's Bucolics rather than his Georgics. On the other hand, the existence of a boundary is noticeable. The heavenly version of Arcadia is enclosed, protected and not merely virginal nature but a carefully tended God's garden. However, from Renaissance to Rococo the most important theme among pastoral poets was romantic love - usually love between heavily idealised shepherds - which had no place in representations of paradise.
The Arcadian motif, as well as the Christian image of heaven, often feature in children's literature. Since the 18th century and...