How will we remember them? : a content analysis of juvenile World War 1 Anzac literature 1914-2000 available to New Zealand children

Abstract

This research analyses the language used in the World War One Anzac children's literature, both recreational and educational, available to New Zealand children, to determine what Anzac character traits are being represented. These traits will be charted across the 1915 to 2000 period to see if traits have changed or been stable, and to consider the findings in the light of social changes during the period and of the original Anzac soldiers' literature. The hypothesis to be tested is that children's literature, regarding Anzac soldiers' characteristics, has historically been subject to a selective tradition, which has highlighted some soldiers' characteristics while ignoring others. The results of this research are importance in balanced book selection and for awareness of the selective tradition in presenting 'national memory'. The methodology uses quantitative and qualitative content analysis, of a recreational and educational Anzac children's literature sample, set within a historical discussion. The quantitative content analysis isolates terms, codes them for frequency and tracks changes across time, while the qualitative content analysis allows the literature to reveal its own terms. The quantitatively coded sample, consisted of two periods, 1910 and 1980-2000. The codes were derived from military and social histories and Anzac soldiers' literature. This research's findings from the children's literature sampled, both recreational and educational, indicates central characteristics of the Anzac myth remain intact and heavily stressed. However some traits are a wan reflection of their original intensity. The corollary to the soldiers' literature highlights the reflection of the official myth, in children's literature, rather than the unofficial myth.