Golliwog Analysis

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In the following essay, I will be conducting a research project, by examining golliwogs from the children literature – Noddy by British children’s author Enid Blyton. Published between 1949 and 1963 as children’s literature, and aired as a television show in 1955 for decades. I will be analysing the physical attributes of the golliwogs depicted in Noddy, in relations to other discourses of representation of humans, such as minstrel blackface performance from the 1840s in America and Europe. By discussing the history of the construction of difference, which was entrenched in both texts and imagery, through depictions of invented monsters. I will argue how the “monsters” were significant to introduce negative stereotypes, which unpins the characterisation of difference, in relation to race. Furthermore, through conducting interviews with my peers, I will attempt to redesign the golliwogs from Noddy’s books. I am predominately interested in the aspect of the…show more content…
This voice narrative is intended to encourage children to rethink what a black doll should look like. The redesigned “golliwogs” would still be woolen rag dolls, but would come in different shades of brown, sourced from different black people’s skin tones. The child would be able to design their new black doll, which is intended to embody an awareness of identity constructs that are enforced through toys and children’s literature. The intervention in the character would be the decision of the children, because children’s minds are shaped very young. I am aware that the knowledge of the implications of racial connotations places a certain responsibility on children, by making them conscious of what they consume and cultural impositions placed on

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