Višeslojnost lika mačke u građanskoj književnosti za decu 19. veka: slučaj Jovana Jovanovića Zmaja i Luisa Kerola

Abstract

The aim of this paper was to analyze the character of cats in children’s literature of the 19th century whose target audience included middle class society. We observed literary works of writ- ers who belong to different literary genres. Specifically, we were studying the poems of the be- loved children’s poet Jovan Jovanović Zmaj and the famous children’s novel Alice in Wonderland

by Lewis Carroll. In the first part of the paper we outlined the history of a cat’s transformation from a deity to a beloved pet. Through this transformation we were able to observe the different roles cats had in human society. In the poems and the book we noted what roles each cat had, highlighting its significance. Even though the two authors originated from different cultures and traditions, the character of the cat in their works is placed within the context of a middle class family. Additionally, both authors were able to express the multidimensionality present within the cats. As an example, female cats in both cases are connected with girls and represent the prototype of a sweet, domesticated housecat. On the other hand the role of the thief and trickster is exclusive to tomcats.