On Buddy's Emotional Autonomy In Gentlehands

As one of the pioneers in writing realistic novels for teenagers, M. E. Kerr is an established female American writer well known for creating lesbian pulp fiction and young adult fiction. In 1993, she received Margaret Edwards Award presented by Young Adult Library Services Association for her lifetime achievement in producing fictions for young adults. Gentlehands, one of her most popular novels appealing to teenagers, was once named by New York Public Library as one of the best books for the younger readers. After it was published in 1978, it is regarded as one of the most controversial novels written by M. E. Kerr. Some critics maintain that it is a fascinating book for introducing a grotesque character of Nazi period to the readers without making sensational feelings, while others hold that it is not convincing when the author deals with the transition of Grandpa Trenker from a decent hero to an atrocious criminal. However, the book is popular with most teenagers.The striking characteristic in the dissertation is that it explores Buddy's emotional development from the psychological perspective. With the aim of delving into emotional initiation presented in the book, the thesis adopted the theory of emotional autonomy which has aroused psychologists increasing attention since Silverberg and Steinberg devised the Emotional Autonomy Scale in 1986. The dissertation is composed of five parts: Firstly, it presents the introduction to the life of M. E. Kerr and the plot of Gentlehands as well as literature criticism of the book and relevant theory applied to expound Buddy's self-reliant governance of his emotional world which is followed by three chapters respective touching upon three different domains of Buddy's emotional psychology. Buddy's emotional autonomy is unfolded in romantic relationship, friendship and family love. Consequently, it is found that in the process of seeking individuation, Buddy increasingly achieves emotional initiation in enhancing insights of his interpersonal relationships.