There are lots of literary genres involving and speculating about all possible and impossible things and every person that wants to read something new, entertaining or educating will find his or her book suiting his/her needs, interest, gender or age. Most of the time when one hears term ‘children literature’ one automatically or not imagines books with bright pictures that tell simple fairytale-like stories that are sewn with obvious moral threads telling kids not to do certain things, eat vegetables and be obedient. Usually this literature is associated with naïve, simply structured stories that contain primitive battle of good vs. evil where the first one is always winning. However, modern literature for children not only breaks all stereotypes connected with it but also dictates its own unique rules therefore broadening children`s mind, as well as, redefining term of children literature. Thus brilliant English writer Neil Gaiman is one of the representatives of new and revolutionary dark children literature that illuminates and discusses theme of good and evil on the completely new level making readers not simply consume and accept facts from book but it makes them question eternal notions and life itself. In his brightly dark children's fantasy novel The Graveyard Book Gaiman portrays old fashioned battle of good vs. evil simultaneously illuminating other themes like relationships in the community, notion of life and death, nature of the family and friendship. Skillfully and subtly using unusual creatures like ghosts author highlights the question of community relationship. In order to understand significance of The Graveyard Book in terms of illuminating notion of community importance and interaction one should take a closer look at its inhabitants along with presenting and depicting of this notion within the book.
While reading this children's fantasy novel one cannot but notice the slight resemblance with one of the most popular children`s book called The Jungle Book composed by another English author Rudyard Kipling. Not even the name The Graveyard Book reminds Kipling`s The Jungle Book but also a plot where a child is put into unusual circumstances and is brought not by human beings but representatives of the completely different species or as in this case dimension. However, it should be mentioned that in this novel Gaiman breaks all confines of children literature as well as between world of living and dead leaving only one resemblance with The Jungle Book in the form of community unity. He places his character under patronage of ghosts, spirits and even death itself thus creating ironical and grotesque picture of child upbringing. All dead inhabitants are ready not only to protect Nobody but also bring up a decent living man. Undeniable is that this book is a re-comprehension of a classic book in the best traditions of Neil Gaiman.
The novel starts with terrible slaughter of family by man Jack who has to kill all family members but the youngest one escapes punishment by fleeing to the graveyard in order to play. Toddle is found by an old, dead couple who lives in the graveyard. From this moment unusual life of Bod begins because he entered not only place where dead have their final rest but he entered a community of ghosts that has its moral compass and responsibilities. Being a professional the man Jack has to finish what he has started so he sniffs toddler`s scent that leads him to the graveyard. However all his attempts to kill the child are in vain because Bod is under protection of the tombs` inhabitants. He grows there learning about life and death till his another encounter with the man Jack who has to finish what he started in order to save his Order known as the Jack of All Trades which is evil disguised as good.
It should be mentioned that community unity and mutual interest in helping this toddler reflect not only their compassion and understanding but also illuminates humanistic aspect of society. The evidence of it lies in these lines “Mrs. Owens and her husband have taken the child under their protection. It will take more than just a couple of good hearted souls to raise this child. It will,” said Silas, “take a graveyard.” (Gaiman & McKean, 2008, 12) This speculation over the old saying that it takes the whole village to raise a child bears not only starting point for events development but also it contains a didactic aspect in it that may teach children to be more open and sympathetic towards those in need especially when those needed are powerless and helpless. In a subtle way it teaches humanity that our society, unfortunately, lacks nowadays. Moreover, this gesture of Mrs. Owens to take care of unknown toddler gives a perfect example of responsibility and sense of duty which perfectly well is illustrated in these lines “What Mistress Owens is trying to say, sir, begging your honor’s pardon,” said Mr. Owens, standing beside her, “is that she dun’t see it that way. She sees it as doing her duty.” (Gaiman & McKean, 2008, 10) It should be mentioned that this act of kindness bears not only didactic aspect but also it gives reader a food for thought arising question “What would you do?”
Thus, Bod was granted with the Freedom of the Graveyard that gives him invisibility thus protection from evil also he was presented by new family that consists not only with Mr. and Mrs. Owens but the whole inhabitants of the graveyard and solitary type Silas who later becomes his teacher and guardian. From this point community`s subtle yet influential upbringing tries to make Bod a descent and kind living person. Despite his unusual surrounding and family Bod is a child that most of pedagogical theorists like to call ‘tabula rasa.’ This purity and uniqueness that are given to children from their birth is reflected not only in his character but also in his name. Thus, Bod was presented by name of Nobody Owens because he “looks like nobody but himself.” (Gaiman & McKean, 2008, 13) Moreover, interactions of dead and alive along with specific nursery conditions create interesting interpretation of personality in terms of his upbringing conditions and how they influence personality establishment in this world along with its interpretation. It should be mentioned that this name along with unusual family and friends of his once more highlights the eternal connection of life and death and that a person cannot fully belong to good, evil, death or life, on the contrary, person only takes specific part in mentioned above never embracing it completely which makes this person look outstanding and nobody at the same time. Again, Gaiman gives reader a great opportunity to think about this life issue.
Bod`s life in the graveyard is depicted within a specific period of time, thus in one chapter he is 5 and in the next he is 8, for instance. It should be mentioned that Bod represents a pure soul that develops and undertakes life lesson as well as those taught by his guardian Silas who teaches him about almost all aspects of life and death. His community of ghosts supports him and educates for example Mr. Pennyworth teaches him Complete Education System for Younger Gentlemen with Additional Material for Those Post-Mortem.
However, it should be mentioned that Bod has friends not only among dead but also among living as well. Thus, for a short time he becomes friend with Scarlett who tells him different things about life that he cannot witness yet. Later, he asks Silas to send him to school because he needs to communicate with alive children of his age. Thus, he enters completely different world which was supposed to be community too but it is not tight due to the bullies Maureen “Mo” Quilling and Nick Farthing. Thus these two worlds are opposed to each other giving reader and opportunity to compare and make conclusions.
Also, notions of good and evil are blurred a bit and mixed because Gaiman portrays ghosts, Hounds of God, ghouls, death itself, mist-walkers, high hunters, and solitary types as those who are not mean despite the fact that some of them are considered to be creatures of hell in folklore and legends. Gaiman portrays true nature of good and evil which almost always are hard to distinguish. For instance, the villains of this novel are Order known as the Jack of All Trades which already contains diversity and treacherousness in its name therefore illuminating the ability of evil to do everything taking into account good things too in order to achieve its goal. Moreover, often good creatures like Miss Lupescu may seem evil and mean because one cannot understand them or their actions as it was with Bod. This subtle yet vivid depiction of good and evil conveys true life experience one gets in the real world free from magical creatures. Through phantasmagoric reality of Bod `s family and life Gaiman presents reader with opportunity to dive into the real world that awaits children in a couple of years, world where everything is not what it seems and the division of white and black is impossible because everything contains everything and under influence of black white color turns into gray and vice versa, therefore altering into new entity. This can be seen within his friendly community that shows that life is complicated regardless whether one alive or not.
All things considered in his novel The Graveyard Book Neil Gaiman skillfully managed to present community of ghosts that cares about a living being. Author portrayed more understanding and kinder society model that may inspire readers along with giving food for thought.
References
Gaiman, N., & McKean, D. (2008). The graveyard book. New York: HarperCollins Pub.
