doi: 10.56294/sctconf20241089

 

Category: Arts and Humanities

 

ORIGINAL

 

Psychological novel in children’s literature

 

Novela psicológica en la literatura infantil

 

Vesel Islami1  *

 

1Faculty of Education, University of Prishtina, 10000, 31 “George Bush” Str., Pristina, Republic of Kosovo.

 

Cite as: Islami V. Psychological novel in children’s literature. Salud, Ciencia y Tecnología - Serie de Conferencias. 2024; 3:1089. https://doi.org/10.56294/sctconf20241089

 

Submitted: 22-01-2024                   Revised: 03-04-2024                   Accepted: 09-07-2024                 Published: 10-07-2024

 

Editor: Dr. William Castillo-González

 

ABSTRACT

 

Introduction: psychological novels are numerous in Kosovo’s children’s literature, so their study is essential, given the circumstances of their creation and their impact on the formation of a new generation.

Objective: to investigate the development of such novels, considering the experiences and specificities of authors from Kosovo.

Methods: the study used a combination of methods, including sociological, formal, structural, synthesis and literary analysis.

Development: the origin of the authors of the texts for children was considered, which ultimately reflected not only their professional qualities but also their ones. Various historical circumstances, including the war in Kosovo in the 1990s, were interpreted in the course of the study, which ultimately contributed to a comprehensive analysis of the works. The nature of the relationship between different generations is studied in the example of a grandfather and grandson, which determined the importance of the process of communication between the older and younger generations. The concepts of “tragedy” and “pain” within the framework of psychological novels in children’s literature are considered, which in conclusion demonstrates the close interdependence of the complex historical and political situation in Kosovo and the cultural segment of the country.

Conclusions: this study provides valuable insights into how psychological themes in children’s novels from Kosovo impact readers, offering a nuanced understanding of their role in shaping young personalities.

 

Keywords: Character; Motif; Tragedy; Historical and Political Context; Interpretation of Texts; Spiritual State of the Reader.

 

RESUMEN

 

Introducción: las novelas psicológicas son numerosas en la literatura infantil de Kosovo, por lo que su estudio es esencial, dadas las circunstancias de su creación y su impacto en la formación de una nueva generación.

Objetivo: investigar el desarrollo de este tipo de novelas, considerando las experiencias y especificidades de los autores de Kosovo.

Método: el estudio utilizó una combinación de métodos, entre ellos el análisis sociológico, formal, estructural, de síntesis y literario.

Desarrollo: se tuvo en cuenta el origen de los autores de los textos infantiles, que en última instancia reflejaba no sólo sus cualidades profesionales, sino también las suyas propias. En el curso del estudio se interpretaron diversas circunstancias históricas, incluida la guerra de Kosovo en los años noventa, lo que en última instancia contribuyó a un análisis exhaustivo de las obras. La naturaleza de la relación entre distintas generaciones se estudia en el ejemplo de un abuelo y su nieto, que determinó la importancia del proceso de comunicación entre las generaciones mayores y las más jóvenes. Se consideran los conceptos de “tragedia” y “dolor” en el marco de las novelas psicológicas de la literatura infantil, lo que en conclusión demuestra la estrecha interdependencia de la compleja situación histórica y política de Kosovo y el segmento cultural del país.

Conclusiones: este estudio aporta valiosas ideas sobre el impacto que tienen en los lectores los temas psicológicos de las novelas infantiles de Kosovo, ofreciendo una comprensión matizada de su papel en la formación de las personalidades jóvenes.

 

Palabras clave: Personaje; Motivo; Tragedia; Contexto Histórico y Político; Interpretación de Textos; Estado Espiritual del Lector.

 

 

 

INTRODUCTION

The typology of the novel in children’s literature is very extensive and includes many genres, which are always endowed with a special thematic characteristic that deals with the specific plot of each novel. Therefore, the study needed to examine the specifics of the psychological novel, in particular, the examples and development of this genre in Kosovo, which touches the feelings of young readers, regardless of the emotional point of view it affects them: the one that generates love and joy; or the other that reflects pain and fear.

The study aimed to address the historical circumstances, which, in the objective form of the difficult past of Kosovo’s society, directly influenced the plots of the novels, which mostly reflected unpleasant aspects of a psychological nature. Another problem with the subject matter was that the wide variety of genres of this nature cannot be fully considered in a single study, as the themes of Kosovo children’s novels are rich in ideas, motifs, and characters. It is important to note that regardless of the number of attempts to examine the motives of such themes, it is impossible to fully present the views and ideas of all writers of the genre.

The study by Çitaku M(1), which examined the impact of socialist realism in countries where communism was the predominant system of government, such as Kosovo, proved to be significant. The author assessed the impact of the ideology, which established norms for how writers should continue to act and receive approval from the Communist Party. Socialist realism contained a didactic mission that paved the way for the Albanian community to adopt the norms of the new communist way of life, using literature as a propaganda tool to shape readers’ beliefs about a positive view of communism in general. However, the researcher focused mainly on the political context of Kosovo at the time, without examining the content of the literature itself, particularly children’s literature.

Nika E(2) emphasized the significant and direct influence of oral traditions and fairy tales on the literary process, consolidating it and serving as a source for various plots and characters that define different literary genres and genres. Concerning Albanian literature for children, the author of the study pointed out that during the period of national revival, when numerous social, political, and cultural changes were taking place, significant work was done to compile texts for Albanian schools. This study has documented the progress of Albanian children’s literature in the characteristic styles, forms, and norms that it has gone through and consolidated throughout its history. At the same time, the study by the researcher did not consider such a type of children’s literature as the psychological novel.

Perdomo C, Pašić M and Reis C(3,4) assessed the readiness of future teachers to work with diversity in the classroom, using children’s literature as part of the educational resource. Although these studies did not consider the essence of the literary works themselves, the contribution of these works in the pedagogical context is quite significant. For this purpose, Perdomo C(4) conducted a comparative study between two specialisations at the Faculty of Education of the University of La Laguna (Tenerife). Thus, when assessing the responses of students of both specialities to key indicators, the researcher considered, in particular, the factors of understanding diversity in the classroom and the use of children’s literature as a resource for the formation of positive attitudes and academic progress of students.

As a result, it was formulated that students do not have enough knowledge and resources to use the opportunities provided by children’s literature in their further professional experience. On the other hand, Pašić M and Reis C(3) determined that although literature has always been artistic, its impact on the psychological state of children has always been important. They considered the term “bibliotherapy”, which is closely related to the teaching of literature, where the competence of children’s literature teachers is of great importance. This paper offers specific methodological advice for teachers who teach children’s literature in this area.

Roszak S and Lewis B(5,6) noted that children’s books by famous authors, which are traditionally associated with “adult” texts, are often ignored, or underestimated in the cultural space. At present, some adults are interested in reading literature for children, but some do not consider such texts appropriate for an older audience. Studies have shown that contemporary authors challenge the old stereotypes of children’s literature, expand its epistemology, offer active participation in rethinking concepts such as “civilization” and “cultural belonging”, and address the problematic issue of intercultural representation.

The study of Rushidi J(7) is also worth mentioning, where the concept of “citation theory” is considered a necessity in the study of literary texts, in particular, what affects their contamination and frequency of use. The author uses postmodernist theories that consider a literary text as a continuation, rewriting or intersection of textual surfaces, in which Albanian children’s literature serves as an apt example to illustrate citation techniques and models. The study includes classifications and models of citation and demonstrates them with examples from modern and early children’s literature, which is often used in school textbooks.

Given the above, the study aims to investigate the evolution of the phenomenon of the psychological novel as a genre of children’s literature, in particular, considering the factor and specificity of Kosovo as a country where historical circumstances had a significant impact on the formation of the motives and ideas of the authors. One of the objectives of the study was to determine the nature of the influence of psychological novels on the emotional development of children. This task was aimed at identifying and explaining the emotions that can be evoked by reading novels of this genre. Another important task was to analyze the factor of psychological influence on the formation of moral values and beliefs in children. In this context, it is important to talk about the identification of internal conflicts that are present in the psychological and moral aspects of novels of this genre. In general, this study attempts to summarize what is most significant, noticeable, and reflective in the eyes of readers and literary critics in terms of addressing themes with sensitive psychological motifs in children’s literature by Kosovo authors.

 

METHOD

To successfully reproduce and formulate the results of the study, it was necessary to use methods of scientific knowledge that would best contribute to the realization of the goal set at the beginning of the work. The following methods were identified as the most effective in this case: sociological, formal, structural, synthesis and literary analysis. The combined use of these applied literary and general scientific methods of scientific knowledge made it possible to identify the most significant aspects of the topic under study.

Within the study, the importance of the sociological method, which in this case was used as one of the literary methods, should be emphasized. The use of the sociological method of scientific knowledge was based on the study of the socio-cultural context in which psychological novels for children are created and read, and the influence of social factors on the themes, images and reactions of readers was considered. On the other hand, the formal and structural methods were also significant. Thus, the formal method was applied when considering the structure and formal elements of the psychological novel, which included the storyline, composition, and characterization of the characters. As for the structural method, it was used to study the organization of the psychological novel text, its internal logic, and connections between the text elements.

The methods of literary analysis and synthesis were also used, where the latter acted as a general scientific method and played an important role in combining and integrating various aspects of the study. This method involved combining different sources and approaches to create a comprehensive view of the topic. As for the literary analysis, this method was used to examine stylistic elements, images, metaphors, allegories, and other literary devices used to express psychological aspects of the work. During the research on the selected topic, a variety of materials were used, which were necessary to obtain an objective and comprehensive understanding of the topic. All types of materials were essential for the consideration of certain important aspects of the study and the formation of knowledge that was integral in the context of clarifying significant problematic issues.

The most important type of material used was literary works, in particular those by Kosovo authors. In this context, reading and analyzing psychological novels for children made it possible to gain a deeper understanding of the psychological aspects of characters, plot and style. In particular, special attention was paid to the novel by Kërveshi M(8) and the work by Hoxha R.(9)

Familiarization with scientific publications and books by various authors was also important, including the studies of Kosovo, Albanian, Chinese, American, English, Indonesian and other scholars. These materials were related to the study of academic research and theories related to the psychological aspects of literary works for children, which included psychological, literary, and other scientific approaches. Furthermore, historical, and cultural sources, as well as analytical reviews, proved useful for the study. The former was used to study the history of children’s literature and psychological trends in the development of the genre, as well as to consider aspects of cultural influence on psychological novels. As for the analytical reviews, the basis for these materials was analyses of psychological novels in children’s literature by certain critics or experts, which helped to obtain thorough conclusions and opinions of other researchers.

Recordings of organized conferences of scholars were used as optional materials, where the results of discussions and debates by experts on the subject helped to collect different points of view and analyze arguments.

 

RESULTS

The topic of psychology in children’s novel

The psychological novel is a genre of children’s (as well as any other) literature.(10) This subtype is characteristic of the entire world of children’s literature, but this study focuses on the explanation of exclusively Albanian literary texts, due to the focus of the subject on the culture of Kosovo. Various scholars also refer to this type of novel as “psychological fiction”, as it creates situations and events related to the thinking and psychology of the individual.(11) In Kosovo’s children’s literature, the presence of this type of novel with elements of psycho-narrative only adds to its value and importance, as this aspect makes it include almost all genres and subgenres that currently exist in world literature.

The topic was defined as broad enough in terms of the many variants it includes, but this study focused on one specifically defined area – the psychological. Numerous topics are included in this area, which are mainly related to the reference to motives that cause psychological effects. Such effects are reflected throughout the narrative and the development of events, but they also have an impact on the reader’s position. The most common examples are shown in table 1.

 

Table 1. Motives used by authors when writing psychological novels

Motive

Motive meaning

Love

Deep affection, sympathy, tenderness for another person

Pain

Unpleasant physical or emotional sensations

Suffering

physical or emotional discomfort

Hate

Strong and persistent antipathy towards another person

Envy

An unpleasant feeling that arises from the fear of losing the love or affection of another person

Despair

A state of despair, hopelessness

Grief

Strong and persistent sadness caused by the loss of a loved one

Fear

An unpleasant feeling that arises from a fear of danger

Source: compiled by the author based on (12,13).

 

All of the above is used in the psychological novel genre as a type of children’s literature in Kosovo, where authors have used these in different historical periods. The writer “must first of all learn the psychology of a child, which means metaphorically returning to the age of his characters, looking at the world, making demands, reasoning, feeling, and perceiving like children. He must also study and research the mental, moral, and ethical world of the child for a long time; he must know how to find an approach to children, how to communicate with children, how to love children; he must know the child’s soul, temperament and intelligence, the child’s demands, desires, and dreams”.(14)

Writers address psychologically motivated topics for a variety of reasons, although “motivation is generally defined as something that drives behavior”.(15) In cases where objective circumstances were the determining factor that prompted the consideration of these topics, it was also determined that writers, having witnessed such situations, expressed thoughts to reflect some of their pain to readers through literary art. In this context, this study was guided by the context of the events in Kosovo society that brought the country to the 1990s due to inappropriate policies, which most people felt and experienced personally. A difficult time in Kosovo’s history brought with it the popularization of themes related to suffering, and the treatment of these phenomena found a place, in particular, among the works of children’s writers. Some novels of this period, which lasted approximately a decade, addressed the most sensitive motifs of psychology, themes of suffering, pain, despair. In particular, the study singled out the novel Ermali by Hoxha R(9) and the work of Rifat Kukaj, Summer Without Beauties.

Pain, as an unpleasant sensation, encompassed almost all spheres of life in Kosovo at that time. The circle was narrowing every day, and the powerlessness of people who could not stop the violence and terror was a problem that could not stop the continuation of that difficult era.(16,17) Like all the intellectuals who tried to work together for the good of the country and to counteract this situation with their methods and initiatives, Kosovo’s children’s writers tried to reflect the worst side of the reality of that time through art. The psychological influence on the motives of the themes varied in this category of literature, where “a more detailed discussion of this aspect was postponed to later stages, because several other factors, such as the level of development of the child and types of model behavior, also need to be considered”.(18)

Any of the novels that deal with the work of such a character were skillfully constructed, which helped to avoid a negative response from the reader. Textbooks of this kind are important because they provide a certain test of children’s emotionality, which can arise in various situations.(19) They also measure the psychological temperament of the reader. Interpreting these topics in front of others undoubtedly changes the reader’s state of mind. Although the average age of the reader is small, they should already be accustomed to experiencing situations that can be caused by all possible emotions (love, pain, hate, fear, jealousy, despair, grief).

Dealing with such motives is an indicator that makes readers think more about life and creativity. They may slowly realize that life is not only about experiencing spiritual pleasures, fulfilling desires, and achieving all the goals and dreams that a person has. Thus, the intertwined psychological motifs, which reflect both joy and sadness, are a preparation for teaching children to question certain events, which sometimes may not develop in the way that was originally intended.(20,21)

Undoubtedly, texts that deal with the motives of the psychological/spiritual state of the reader of this young category should be thought through in terms of interpreting the idea. Because they are the best indicators that shape the moral and spiritual outlook of children. Given that this category of readers is not yet sufficiently familiar with the vicissitudes of life, special attention should always be devoted to the development of psychological themes. Even though the development of events in the text can cause obvious difficulties, the study emphasized the importance of a happy ending. In fiction, and especially in children’s literature, family relationships are an extremely important symbol for the creation of a narrative. Such elements contribute to the creation of what theorists and writers have called “family literature”, which is present not only in children’s novels but also in the novel as a genre in general.(22,23)

Considering the age relationship, which is a characteristic feature of children’s novels, a warm relationship between a grandfather and his grandson can be observed often. For example, in the novel The Language of Birds by Kërveshi M(8), a similar family climate was embodied. The closeness of the relationship between two generations of different ages is manifested in the profile of one character, aged about seventy, and his nephew, a primary school student who has just begun the journey of learning. This story focuses on a warm storyline that demonstrates the family love of a grandfather for his grandson and vice versa. Although the image of grandparents is often presented in works of this kind, the realization of this idea in the title text is embodied differently.

At the end of the story, the characters become so attached that it even becomes difficult for the grandson to perform certain actions in the absence of his grandfather. The study has shown that the novel The Language of Birds uses figurative language from the very beginning, which makes the reader sensitive and emotional. Birds, as a key element in the development of events within the novel’s theme, were a factor that contributed to the creation of a beautiful image. The grandfather has Mëngjesi, which in Albanian can be interpreted as an ordinary morning on a good sunny day. At the same time, his nephew, Shendi, is his grandfather’s greatest comfort, and they do almost nothing without each other. Thus, everything that the grandson undertakes is under the care and good advice of his grandfather, especially when it comes to helping mountain birds.

As the story unfolds from chapter to chapter, the reader realizes that the relationship between two generations that differ in age, ideas and actions can still have the best level of understanding. This great closeness of the grandfather and grandson was identified in the study as an indicator that reveals the depth of the concept of “family love”. Therefore, a grandson, as a representative of the new generation and heir to the family, can be a great example for others, no matter where he is. This feeling makes clear an essential principle related to the psychological aspect of history: new generations should be brought up in the best possible way to become models for the promotion of culture and social identity. Fairy tales from the grandfather are the first references that reflect the symbols of family upbringing, giving a lot of information about life and good deeds. The nephew also expresses his interest: “Shendi doesn’t want to and refuses to sleep during the day unless his grandfather tells him stories”.(8) Those tales were the very factor that awakened the child’s imagination and increased his curiosity to ask questions.

The success of descendants in education is an expression of emotion for the ancestors as well. For the grandfather, who is already in his old age, they are the main incentive to live. He feels a moral obligation to be with his nephew every step of the way, to accompany him in all his affairs and to take the position of a family teacher. The chapters of the novel under consideration, entitled “Longing”, “Grief”, “Anger”, “Mystery”, “Reconciliation”, “Love”, “Wisdom” and “Compassion”, were found by the research to be the best complements that serve to implement the idea mediated by the theme of the text. At the same time, the development of mutual love between grandfather and grandson is associated with the experience of psychological states that change depending on objective circumstances.

The experience of feelings of longing, grief, reconciliation, love, wisdom indicates the raising of psychological themes that are considered extremely sensitive for the age and developmental level of children. Although they influence the psychology of the characters as subtopics, they are not addressed in such a significant way as to cause maximum effects and counter-effects throughout the reading. Thus, the results of the study indicate the particularly important role of maintaining the relationship between the grandfather and grandson throughout the narrative, which, as a result, offsets the presence of other characters in the novel’s plot. Thus, this relationship between the two characters influences all of the nephew’s actions, without exception, which is always mediated by his grandfather’s advice, which becomes an indispensable part of the path to a successful life. One of the scenes that unfolded between the characters can serve as proof of this: “After lunch, the grandfather turned to Shend: today the teacher gave him two marks: one for his notebook with wide and narrow lines, and the other for his dictation, which was written without a single mistake”.(8)

All of their conversations realized in the form of a dialogue, have the character of educational forms, which testify to the intellectual and human preparation of new generations. In this way, a kind of responsibility of adults towards children for their life path is felt. In this context, the grandfather’s position also reflects parts of the writer’s autobiography, especially concerning the language he spoke; ideas, thoughts and visions that are necessary to create a better future.

 

Pain and fear (tragedy as a topic and discourse)

Tragedy is one of the thematic motifs characteristics of the children’s novel in Kosovo. In addition, tragedy is also a phenomenon related to the grotesque. Albanian scholar Uçi A(24) defined it as one of the “essential categories of literary and cultural discourse”. Although pain as a subject matter is more difficult for young readers to understand, authors of children’s literature in Kosovo have not been able to avoid this topic.

The study found that in some novels, sub-themes or short sequences are presented either retrospectively to some events or in a way that is also related to the central theme of the novel. It is worth noting that in this literary branch, fewer works focus on the concept of “pain” as the main theme, but their presence is obvious and characteristic of the Kosovo children’s novel.

That is why the difficult circumstances of political, economic, social, cultural, and educational life give rise to motives that have prompted children’s writers to address topics of such a sensitive psychological nature. Pain as an unpleasant emotional disturbance can be caused by creating a situation or event in which the characters are responsible for all the dramatic aspects of the story. They are confronted with phenomena and problems that are destined for them by fate and therefore must be overcome by the characters themselves. The experience of pain, or “the emergence of tragedy and its acceptance or rejection by the hero as a phenomenon that transfers children’s emotions from a static state to a dynamic one, as the Kosovo researcher Professor Agim Deva argues, depends primarily on its purpose and motivational moments, which may or may not have a specific pattern”.(25)

The study found that these novels have a course and development of events that create a real drama, moving towards an undesirable end for either the main or secondary characters of the text.

The novel that finally reflects the theme of pain and tragedy as a result of the difficult political circumstances of the time is Ermali by the writer Rexhep Hoxha, in which “historical discourse is intertwined with the real and the unwritten. The theme of the novel is the suffering of Albanians under the great Serbian occupation”.(26) The author intends to create a text that simultaneously addresses the pain of the characters and the readers, which is taken from actual reality. Almost a century of repressive regimes brought the people of Kosovo vicissitudes and difficulties, which caused the society to suffer a lot and experience the cruel reality of life. In all these difficult circumstances, the writers’ intentions were revised to show the trials and tribulations of life that were characteristic of the times of the occupier’s rule through realistic paintings. The theme of the novel Ermali is also interpreted in this context. The first pain is the one reflected in the perception of the society of the time when the Dalani family had only two daughters and no heir, which should be a son.

The reflection of this pain is embodied in the psychological world of Mirusha’s father, his wife and two daughters. The content of the work makes it clear that this pain was largely distributed among all family members. They never abandon their ideals and work, and continue to be devoted to good deeds, cherishing the hope and faith that the family will not be left without an heir. The parents will experience the true pleasure of being the parents of a boy who, after many years of marriage, is to be born into their family and will finally turn pain into joy. What kept this pain alive and turned it into a family concern was the rumors spread by others, which were generated by ideas about a society that is very different from the current development of civilization, where such situations provoked by the patriarchal system are avoided in the vast majority of cases.(27) Despite all that has been said and heard, the Dalani family never stopped working and dedicating themselves to preserving hope for the future, which turned out to be the leading motive that encouraged them to continue living in the continuous pursuit of a better future.

The ideas that are manifested in the attitudes of these family members towards the birth of their offspring are a factor that can be reflected through allegorical reading and interpretation when new generations need to be brought up with patriotic feelings and prepared with the best arsenal of knowledge and education. This attitude was increasingly realized through the forced conviction that the new offspring should be educated and brought up to the best possible level. These positions complement and reinforce the idea of the text, based on the principle that the main weapon of a person is always his or her education. Hence, the study determined that the development of events is moving towards both stabilization and destabilization, while “the author, Rexhep Hoxha, focuses on presenting the period of the strongest use of violence by the Serbian occupation authorities against the Albanian people in Kosovo, which culminated in the last decade of the last century”.(28)

Within the study, the circumstances of the time explained this, as the events unfolded in the nineties in Kosovo. At that time, local young people went to military service, invited by the then-occupation regime, returning “in coffins”. This was the fate of many young people in the country who did not return alive. Such moments brought great pain to the relatives and friends of the fallen young men, who were numerous in number. Similar to the suffering caused by the losses of many families in the society of that time, Dalani’s family suffered the same grief. At first, it was the repeated abuse of Ermal’s father, Mirushi. During the novel, he is regularly interrogated by law enforcement officials, and he also becomes a victim of bullying for no reason. Given these circumstances, it is important to note that Mirushi’s mental and physical pain was limited to his family and immediate circle of friends.

Given that political developments have taken a negative turn and further achievement of acceptable change is becoming an impossible task, the novel’s plot begins to reveal secret alliances between characters, and new characters emerge to play their part in the plot. The protagonists have ideals: they want to fulfill their mission. Thus, a secret military organization begins to form, which will later become the main symbol of resistance, sacrifice, and heroism. However, such initiatives are dangerous actions that cost their organizers dearly: the Dalani family will lose their son Ermal, who was killed. The consideration of such themes under the influence of the actual circumstances of the time can be found in the novels of other writers, but perhaps not as directly and focused on the motif of pain as it is seen in this work. Given this, it can be fairly stated that “R. Hoxha is one of the authors who examine the interethnic problems of Albanians with Serbs, the issue of betrayal, deception and persecution of Albanians”.(9)

The whole experience of that pain, vicissitudes and challenges was skillfully handled, demonstrating the complexity of the reality of that time. No matter how delicate the study of such topics is, readers should be familiar with the concept of pain and the reality where the sacrifices of the heroes became symbols of freedom, which is especially important to explain during the educational process of young people.

 

DISCUSSION

The study of the psychological novel in children’s literature has revealed important results, this genre in the context of Kosovo, plays a significant role, in particular, in the formation of young readers as individuals. However, the whole issue of this topic is multidimensional, and therefore it must be considered through the prism of different research approaches, considering the specifics of the cultures of different countries.

Jyoti P(29) highlights the psychological aspects of Elie Weisel’s novel The Day, in which the main theme is life during the Holocaust. The author of the novel often described the suffering, pain, death, and other aspects of the Holocaust tragedy through the prism of the characters. Jyoti P(29) examined the psychological aspects of the character Eliezer, who experienced psychological anxiety. The researcher conducted an in-depth analysis of the character, which revealed an extraordinary psychological problem, in addition, the work pointed to the connection between his work and the author’s own life, especially during the Holocaust, which Weisel experienced first-hand. This parallel is in line with the study’s view, which also explained the ideas of Kosovo authors by the events they experienced, in particular during the 1990s.

Joseph K and Amalaveenus J(30) analyzed the psychological aspects that author Sarah Shulman uses in her novel After Delores. As a literary figure and a representative of the queer activist movement, Shulman successfully explores the psychological aspects of the lives of queer people who are excluded by traditional society. In this aspect, this work differs from the present study, as it considers the presented issues primarily from the point of view of the development of new movements in contemporary society. The central theme of the novel is the psychological consequences experienced by a lesbian when her lover leaves her. Rejection by the family and society has an important impact on the psychological and social life of the main character.

Examining the words, actions and statements of the characters allows to reveal the essence of psychological aspects, among which are the following: Seligman’s theory of learned helplessness, Sternberg’s theory of love, kinesics, self-esteem and self-affirmation, sublimation or displacement, suppression and oppression, rejection, apathy, and unrealistic expectations. In general, the researchers analyzed the psychological state of the novel’s characters, which helped to understand their situation, and explained why it is important to sympathize with rejected people and how to approach them with understanding.

It is also worth noting the thorough work of Ahmadi A and col(31), which is part of a three-year (2021-2023) study funded by the Indonesian government and aimed at studying the psychological aspects of Indonesian literature. The study aimed to analyze the psychological reaction of readers to Indonesian literature, with a focus on short stories by Budi Darma. The data was collected through documentary research and surveys, with Budi Darma’s short stories as the source of information. The results showed that the favorite story among readers was “Not My Student” since it reflected ethical values, while the story “Dark Corridor” was the least favorite because of its violent themes, such as crime and sadism. The authors emphasized that the findings may be useful for further research, in particular in studying the characteristics of millennial’s reader reactions to literature, as the interpretation of the opinions of this category of readers may be diverse and interesting to study. It is important to note that, unlike the present study, which investigated the nature and content of works by Kosovo authors, the study by Ahmadi A and col (31) was aimed at studying the sociological factor and the reaction to the works of artists working in similar genres.

An important study in this research area is the paper by Meylani P(32), which focused on two issues: the detailed definition and coverage of various cases of violence against children in Ruvi Mate’s novel The Secret of the Matchbox (original title: Misteri Bilik Korek Api). This paper explores the various manifestations of violence that arise in the depiction of acts of aggression directed against children in a literary work. A literary psychological approach is used to comprehensively analyze these situations, complemented by Azevedo and Vivian’s conceptual typology of five different forms of violence. Using a qualitative approach, the author delves deeply into the complexity of the text, contributing to a deeper understanding and interpretation of the textual data. The results of the study made it possible to comprehend the content of the five main forms of violence (indifference, contempt, isolation, rejection, and terror) that occurred within the novel’s narrative, which can be further confirmed in the work of M. Cadden. (33)

Xiao Y(34) determined that children’s literature has become an important resource in the field of bilingual education, particularly in China, as it helps to improve language skills, deepen understanding of different cultures and expand opportunities for communication and future academic success. It is possible to mention that in contrast to the present study, the study by Xiao Y(34) focuses on the linguistic aspect of this topic. The article provides an overview of the current state of children’s literature in bilingual education and explores its impact on language skills, cultural understanding, and literacy development. The need for effective teaching materials and strategies for bilingual education is highlighted, and the challenges faced in using children’s literature in this context are analyzed. The article highlights the impact of children’s literature on cultural understanding and bilingual vocabulary learning and suggests practical activities such as book club discussions and creative writing for better use in bilingual education.

Articles by Walizada F, Kastrati N and Duraj P and Altwaiji M(35,36,37), who studied the development of children’s literature in Afghanistan, Albania, and Saudi Arabia, respectively, were also analyzed. Walizada F(35) argued that literature for children and adolescents plays an important role in the history of mankind and is an integral part of the cultural heritage of every nation. The author emphasized that there were few studies in the classical literature of Afghanistan devoted to children’s literature, but in recent years their number has increased significantly. For example, the researcher noted that the first children’s magazine in Afghanistan was Siraj-ul-Athfal, which was published together with Siraj-ul-Akhbar.

This magazine was mainly educational and entertaining, and its content consisted of general information, scientific topics, religious and moral poems, and stories. After the appearance of publications on children’s literature in Siraj-ul-Akhbar, other publications were discovered that dealt with various aspects, such as friendship between children, youth interaction, and the expression of the child’s voice itself. Several writers, such as Abdul Qayyum Qoim, Mohammad Hossein Yamin, Paisi Hanafi and others, were mentioned in the study as having made a special contribution to the development of children’s literature in Afghanistan. Kastrati N. and Duraj P(36) aimed to expand the understanding of children’s literature authors and their basic needs, particularly in the context of primary school students.

The authors emphasized that the attractiveness of literature cannot develop or continue within an imaginary framework, in the absence of the realization of the function of literature. In this case, the function of literature should be aimed at education in a broad sense, including morality, ethics, and aesthetics, and avoid moralizing and ideology. The researchers suggested that although Albanian children’s literature may have less tradition than other languages, it has gone through its path of development and cultural growth. The paper also pointed out that to maintain its attractiveness, the efforts of literary criticism are needed to analyze and make it understandable, as not every reader can freely discover the meaning of the figurative language of fiction on their own. Literary criticism plays an important role in both theory and practice, making literary art more accessible and valuable for education, in particular in school textbooks. The consideration of this issue complements the present study and is worthy of a holistic assessment, considering the context of Kosovo.

The study by M. Slade is also noteworthy, in which she analyzed the use of diverse children’s literature and relevant developmental discourse to form a positive identity in young children.(38) The author of the study pointed out that in the early stages of life, children already begin to comprehend their identity and realize how others see them. By applying the two culturally responsive pedagogies, educators can create an environment where each child’s voice is respected, promoting their consciousness and civic engagement. The chapter offers a framework that facilitates the selection and implementation of diverse children’s literature, united by five key themes. It also provides recommendations on strategies for developing discourse and genres of children’s literature that meet the needs of preschool education. The study by M. Slade considered the specifics of all children’s literature as one of the tools of pedagogical education, while this particular work focused primarily on the characterization and study of the psychological novel as one of the genres of children’s literature.

Thus, to summarize, the psychological novel is an important type of children’s literature that requires comprehensive research and study to clarify all the issues related to the development, formation, and creation of this cultural phenomenon. This topic is vast and relevant for study, considering not only the context and realities of Kosovo but also other countries that had their prerequisites and factors that contributed to the emergence of such a genre of children’s literature as the psychological novel. Moreover, the question of motives and ideas that are the basis for authors creating works in this genre touches upon many important aspects of human existence (feelings of pain, suffering, grief), and therefore should be thoroughly investigated within the framework of children’s literature.

 

CONCLUSIONS

The exploration of psychological themes in Kosovo’s children’s literature reveals a sensitive reflection of societal realities, deeply affecting both authors and readers. These novels authentically portray emotional complexities, rooted in real-life experiences rather than fiction. Authors must possess nuanced understanding of child psychology to effectively convey these themes, as exemplified in works like Muhamed Kërveshi’s “The Language of Birds” and Rexhep Hoxha’s “Ermali”.

Future research could further explore how authors worldwide utilize psychological elements in children’s novels, comparing and contrasting approaches across different cultural contexts. This study contributes to advancing the discourse on Kosovo literature, highlighting its unique contributions to children’s literary criticism.

 

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FINANCING

The author did not receive financing for the development of this research.

 

CONFLICT OF INTEREST

The author declares that there is no conflict of interest.

 

AUTHORSHIP CONTRIBUTION

Conceptualization: Vesel Islami.

Data curation: Vesel Islami.

Formal analysis: Vesel Islami.

Acquisition of funds: Vesel Islami.

Research: Vesel Islami.

Methodology: Vesel Islami.

Project management: Vesel Islami.

Resources: Vesel Islami.

Software: Vesel Islami.

Supervision: Vesel Islami.

Validation: Vesel Islami.

Display: Vesel Islami.

Drafting - original draft: Vesel Islami.

Writing - proofreading and editing: Vesel Islami.