Horrified at Swiss Family Robinson

[guestmama9972]

Ok, I had the kids at library storytime this week and saw Swiss Family Robinson on the shelf. I couldn't remember reading it as a child, so I plucked it off the shelf and checked it out with the rest of our stuff. I thought I'd read it since it seems to be a "classic" and I like to be well-rounded.

Well, I am halfway through the book and so far the boys have killed a sea turtle, pengins, a flamingo, a porcupine, an agouti, and a kangaroo for starters. If the boys see a new animal they beat it or shoot it! I am so completely offended that I cannot finish the book.

To add insult to injury, the mother, Elizabeth, is referred to as: my wife, the little mother, or the mother. The boys are all referred to by their given names but I guess Elizabeth isn't good enough for that, even though it was her idea to live in the tree AND she is the one who has the special bag PLUS she cooks all the game her barbaric sons bring home. The father is so paternalistic and all-knowing that it grates on my nerves.

How is this a classic? I guess at the time it was written it was all acceptable, but this is one book I will shield my daughters from while their minds are pure and impressionable.

[merrick]

I've never read Swiss Family Robinson, but I did see the new Disney remake. Couldn't really follow the plot though, b/c every time one of the guys would come on screen I'd start drooling and couldn't concentrate.

But I have had the experience of picking up a beloved childhood book and being horrified. I used to love the Mrs. Piggle Wiggle books. ANybody remember those? All I remembered about them is a nice lady who could solve problems and lived in an upside down house. I think they were written in the fifties. UGH. THey are full of racism, stereotypes, chauvenism, and horrible parenting! And I was read these books in school! I am only 24. Needless to say I will not be reading it to my ds, as was the plan.

[loveharps]

I read the Swiss Family Robinson when I was younger. It was my favorite book for awhile (so favorite I stole a copy from my school : )

I didn't think much about it back then, but now that you have brought it to my attention, you're right, there is alot of killing in it. I think that when it was written it was probably quite acceptable, and the public wouldn't have batted an eyelid. (I don't think PETA would have been banging on Johann Wyss door )

But then, I'm also thinking, if I was stuck on an Island with no supplys, I'd probably kill animals too, if only to eat them to survive (yes, don't worry, I know its not a true story)

To be honest, I don't think I have a point that I'm getting to :LOL I'll just say that I wouldn't give it to my ds to read, but if when he is older he wants to read it, I think I'd let him.

[meemee]

well i think when u go back to books at different points in ur life u always have a different take on it. i am not going to shield my dd from those books. i mean u guys urself said how much u liked them as kids. so how i interpret them and how the children look at them are totally different. now if my dd was to bring up some point i would certainly discuss it with her. but i can never imagine keeping swiss family robinson away from my dd as she is an adventure freak. i mean when u look at all the adventures how can u even think of focussing on adult issues as a child.

i cant wait to introduce the books that i enjoyed when i was a child. they are v. racist and gender biased too. but i realise that now not then. and in the meantime i will make sure she has proper role models around her to make sure that when she does notice that aspect she will see what it is like in the present world.