THE ROLE OF ANIMAL IMAGERY IN CONSTRUCTING MEMORY AND TRAUMA IN CHILDREN’S LITERATURE

Abstract

This article explores how animal imagery functions as a narrative strategy for representing memory and trauma in children’s literature. Unlike realistic human characters, animal figures provide a safe symbolic distance, allowing young readers to approach overwhelming experiences indirectly. Through analysis of key texts, the study demonstrates that anthropomorphized animals can embody fragmented memories, encode unspeakable events, and facilitate the gradual reconstruction of a traumatized self. The paper argues that animal imagery serves not only as a shield but also as a bridge toward narrative healing.