A Little Princess by Frances Hodgson Burnett - 4073 Words

A Little Princess by Frances Hodgson Burnett This research paper will examine and explain how imaginative play via storytelling, doll play or other similar objects provide children an avenue to act out coping skills. By examining this thought, I will help to explain that â€Å"Children who live in supportive environments and develop a range of coping strategies become more resilient (DeBord: 2004).† This research paper will answer the question with a focus on resilience and coping: â€Å"Do children who play pretend have higher coping skills than children who do not play pretend?† The main character, Sara, in the story A Little Princess starts out in a supportive environment while living in India with her father, Captain Crewe. Sara’s†¦show more content†¦Another instance is when Sara accepts a coin given to her by Guy Clarence, but she realizes that doing so means she must â€Å"put her pride in her pocket† (95). Resilience and Coping â€Å"Research has expanded to focus on educationally or academically resilient children— those who succeed in school despite the stresses of poverty and inadequate childrearing conditions† (Kitano: 2005). Debord (2004) extensively discusses this concept of resiliency.5 Despite the stresses of poverty and inadequate living conditions, Sara demonstrated her ability to generate positive coping strategies thus preserving her dignity. Burnett provides the reader an understanding of resiliency when Sara says, â€Å"Whatever comes cannot alter one thing. If I am a princess in rags and tatters, I can be a princess inside† (108). What attributed to Sara’s observed resilience was her ability to find hope in thinking through her situations out of her imaginary discussions with Emily and her â€Å"suppose† critical thinking strategies. Relatively, a modern-day Sara would be considered as an at-risk youth. According to Kitano, a resilience approach would similarly serve especially well the needs of beggar children such as Anne or the house servant Becky of whom experienced hardship. At risk would include gifted children such as Sara and youth living in poverty or in circumstances of abuse and neglect like Becky or Anne. Doyle (2001)Show MoreRelatedThe Author who Is Frances Hodgson Burnett Essay893 Words   |  4 PagesDuring the late nineteenth century and into the early twentieth century, Frances Hodgson Burnett stood apart from the astounding writers surfacing in Britain. She was most greatly recognized for the romantic themes that were woven delicately into her enchanting stories and her ability to portray spoiled stubborn children as strong heroic characters, which were greatly inspired by a lonely and sufferable childhood. â€Å"Burnett had an ability to recapture universal aspects of childhood and transform