Wow so I really slacked off on posting papers, but guess what? I'm in college now! I know right, when did that happen? Since I go to the fabulous school that is Austin College (NO not ACC, Austin College in Sherman, Texas) I am taking a CI class (a freshman seminar class) on Newbery Medal winning books. Basically that means I read 11 children's books, write critiques on them and get a grade for it. It's kind of the best. So without further adieu, I present to you my first real college paper:
Young Fu of the Upper Yangtze Critique
Though Young Fu of the Upper Yangtze does provide the readers with and excellent portrayal of the setting in China and develops the theme of wisdom, this novel does not withstand the test of time and I believe that it would not receive a Newbery Medal today. There is not enough character or plot development and is not engaging enough to be awarded a Newbery Medal and withstand the test of time.
An important factor in determining whether or not a book is deserving of a Newbery Medal is the development and presentation of a theme. Young Fu does present the theme of wisdom throughout the story and there is a continual focus on the importance of wisdom. Young Fu continues to grow and mature and with that he learns important lessons in gaining wisdom. An example of Young Fu growing in wisdom is after he gambles while his mother is away. For a while he was internally debating as to whether or not he should tell his mother that he did gamble. In the end, he decided to tell her, despite the fact that he did not have to, and she asked him why he told her. He responded by saying that he “had to do so” (Lewis, 1932, p. 216). This shows that Young Fu does what is right by telling his mother, and does not just do something because it is easy. The delineation of the setting is another strength of this book and a factor in determining a Newbery Medal winner. The setting of the book takes place in China in the early 1900s and the author does do an excellent job of making the reader feel like they are there in China with Young Fu. A powerful example of this description is when Young Fu first arrives in Chungking. He is awestruck by it’s power; “For Chungking, built high above the waters that swept about its feet, was distinct in its position of port city to all this far, western world” (Lewis, 1932, p. 4). It is also described as “ancient and gray, Chungking opened its gates to let the tides of commerce flow in and our, never failing to reach for the choicest prizes and big them to itself” (Lewis, 1832, p. 4). The author makes the reader seem like they are there in the city and continually and accurately portrays the setting of Chunking throughout the novel.
However, a book cannot simply rely on the setting and a theme to withstand the test of time. When it comes to the development of the plot and characters, Young Fu falls flat. The development of Young Fu’s wisdom is an example of how the development of the characters is flat. Though the importance of wisdom is an important theme in the book, as character development, it does not provide enough depth for Young Fu. In the example after Young Fu gambled, rather than show that he had developed wisdom, it was told. His mother said “‘You have become a man overnight’” (Lewis, 1932, p.217). This does not provide the character with enough depth and leaves no room for interpretation. The story tells how Young Fu develops by having his mother tell him that he has become a man rather than show it through the story and Young Fu’s actions and providing no depth for the character.
The plot development also does not provide enough depth for the reader. This story reads like many short stories rather than one interwoven book. Each chapter seems to stand on its own and not connect well to the rest of the story. A chapter will revolve around one main event and will have the traditional beginning, rising climax, climax, falling action and resolution. The entire novel, however, fails to have this. This makes the story seem to end abruptly without any real ending, since there was never a climax to begin with.
I believe that Young Fu of the Upper Yangtze won the Newbery Medal because of it’s setting, and not because of its other qualities and for that reason would not win a Newbery Medal today. At the time, the setting may have seems exotic and appealing, but now that is not the case and has therefor not withstood the test of time. The lack of depth in the characters and the plot are not enough for a child, or any reader, to become invested in the book. At the time, the book may have been a great contribution to literature, but it has not withstood the test of time since it relied to much on the delineation of setting and did not develop the other criteria. A Newbery Medal deserving book cannot rely on one criteria and still withstand the test of time.
Works Cited
1. Lewis, E. F., & Low, W. (2008). Young Fu of the upper Yangtze. New York: Square Fish.
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