#12 - Global Reference, Must Be True

[lathlee]

Hi. the fact that correct answer is E.) Children should be allowed to enjoy literature that has no instructive purpose.

it does not make any sense to me considering that the author of the passage made it clerar in line 56- end, "But also as the objects of unending moral instructions, hence the idea that a literature targeted for them must stand in the service of pragmatic instrumentality rather than foster an unproductive form of playful pleasure."

[lathlee]

as in the correct answer choice stated directly goes against the information provided.

[Claire Horan]

Hi Lathlee,

You have found the lines that are relevant in justifying (E) as the correct answer, but unfortunately you didn't notice the sarcastuc tone. Criticism of Bettelheim runs throughout the passage, but this particular section starts with the author noting that "characterizations of selfish children and innocent adults have been discredited." The author is, therefore, critical of our society's "need to deny adult evil" and the effects it has had on our views of the purposes of children's literature. Since the author is being sarcastic, when she describes literature as "foster[ing[ an unproductive form of playful pleasure," we know that she actually means that children should be able to engage in play with no productive/instrumental/ instructive purpose.

How exactly can we know all this? Well, it's very important to track the main point and views throughout the passage. Looking for particular language to support an answer without understanding the passage as a whole will lead you to misinterpret lines in isolation.

Thanks for the great question!