Right wing propaganda in hidden in children stories?

Question

Have you ever noticed that many children stories and novels seem to contain propaganda as the morals of the story which seem to convince adults and children alike that the best way to deal with life is by controling other people?

For example the story about the 3 ghosts of Christmas indicates to the viewers that if you don't behave in a good way that we will all be burned in h**l?

Snow Man

Answer 1

It sounds more like Christian propaganda to me.

Answer 2

I dont know if id look into it this way with a such a rubber stamp. Though certainly there are cases where there might be a more overt effort, i think those are more likely exceptions than rules.

I think we expect children's stories to be more message oriented and more "value" (whatever value your pushing) based. This is simply because children are going to be less able than adult readers to dig through a story to find meaning, so you have to be more upfront about it. Especially if we still believe stories can transmit messages of values and ideals - which everyone does.

The reason why i dont think its indoctrination to the degree you might pose, is because people seemingly tend to want to put the best light on their views, even if they dont realize it. One would assume the children's story author has to have a pretty firm sense that the messages they are writing about are important for children to know -and that they are positive for children to encounter. So if they choose to write about certain themes, its probably not quite hidden propaganda - or even if it is, its a far less sinister form, imo.

Answer 3

I'm not sure which story you're referring to SM.  

You don't mean "A Christmas Carol" do you?  In which case the story is about personal control.  By learning love and generosity the character is 'saved' from the unpleasant fate of his (deceased) hard-hearted partner.

If I've the wrong story, please do correct me though.

Peace.

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Answer 4

It is all left wing propaganda designed to control the masses.

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Answer 5

You are being paranoid.  The story was written in a time where almost everyone was a christian.  The story was used to pass along christian values that everyone at the time shared.  You act like the story was written by John McCain last week.

Answer 6

There are many old stories that have a moral conflict in them in which the protagonist does the right thing.  I don't know what doing the moral thing has to do with controlling people.  Back when people in general actually had morals they were not offended by stories such as A Christmas Carol.  In fact, I believe you are the first person I've heard of that is.