The Pedagogy of Images: Depicting Communism for Children

The Soviet government invested resources and energy into creating a new type of book for the first generation of young Soviet readers in the 1920s. These books were designed to help the young reader enter the field of politics through literature and taught them how to perceive modern events and communist practices. Illustrated books presented propaganda as a simple, repeatable narrative or verse and cast it in easily recognizable graphic images. They were a vehicle of ideology, object of affection, and product of labor, and emerged as an important cultural phenomenon.

Format: Hardback
Length: 568 pages
Publication date: 21 June 2021
Publisher: University of Toronto Press

In the vibrant decade of the 1920s, as the revolutionary fervor subsided, the Soviet government embarked on an ambitious endeavor to shape the literary landscape for the emerging generation of young Soviet readers. These early books, serving as the foundational pillars of Soviet modernity, were not mere narratives; they were intricate tapestries of creativity, meticulously illustrated and thoughtfully designed. Functioning as both manuals and primers, they guided the young minds of the time into the realm of politics, employing the power of literature to engage and educate. Children's books, in their essence, played a pivotal role in imparting the essential vocabulary and grammar needed to comprehend the novel realities that emerged after the revolution. Yet, they went beyond mere imparting knowledge; they also nurtured the ability of young readers to perceive and interpret modern events and communist practices with a critical eye. Through a unique process of dual-media rendering, these illustrated books seamlessly combined propaganda with captivating narratives and evocative graphic images. They became vehicles of ideology, objects of affection, and products of labor, all rolled into one. The illustrated book for the young Soviet reader emerged as a significant cultural phenomenon, resonating deeply within the hearts and minds of its readers. While inherently communist in its content, it often showcased avant-garde artistic expressions, pushing the boundaries of creativity and imagination.

The Pedagogy of Images, a captivating exploration, delves into the intricate tapestry of the formation of a mass-modern readership. It traces the emergence of the communist-inflected visual and narrative conventions that these early readers were intended to embrace. By examining three thematic threads—communist goals, pedagogy, and propaganda—the book offers a profound insight into the Soviet government's efforts to shape the minds and hearts of its young citizens. Through the meticulous analysis of these early books, The Pedagogy of Images sheds light on the complex interplay between literature, politics, and cultural identity, providing a valuable window into the historical and societal context of the 1920s.

Weight: 1368g
Dimension: 188 x 264 x 42 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781487506681