Matilda Marković
THE ROLE OF DRAMA METHODS AND PUPPETRY IN
APPROACHING AND ADDRESSING SENSITIVE AND TABOO
TOPICS IN THE LITERATURE CLASSROOM
Summary
In todayʼs society and education, some themes are still considered too sensitive or
taboo. In literature classes, numerous themes are avoided or addressed without a
deep and clear understanding of whether pupils have accepted or understood them.
For example, death is a topic rarely discussed with students, who are not being
prepared for it, even though we know we are all going to face it sooner or later.
People experience it differently, but what we are interested in is the way children
will consider it. Literary and artistic works can have a great influence on games,
conversations, or preparations for understanding death, loss of a dear family
member, or comfort. In this paper, I am going to highlight those drama techniques
that can help teachers and serve as children’s protective mechanisms during the
process of addressing and interpreting sensitive topics featured in the literary texts,
or discussed during homeroom classes, such as anorexia, bulimia, mental illnesses,
cancer, leukaemia, homosexuality, sexual abuse, incest, rape, suicide, death,
unemployment, homelessness, substance abuse, violence, sexuality, teenage
pregnancy, fear, and parents divorce. Prompted by the knowledge that puppets and
the media of puppetry are overlooked in today’s classes and education, my goal is
to present the media of puppetry as a device and a support for interpreting
sensitive topics , which should be presented to children in a patient manner.
Keywords: drama techniques, literature, puppetry, sensitive topics, taboo