“Not being alone” : Teenage girls’ guidance in four modern youth novels – a text analysis.

The aim of this Master’s thesis is to examine if the realistic youth novels of today can provide support and inspiration for its readers with the purpose of dealing with own difficulties. I have examined four Swedish novels from 2006 and studied in what way and from whom the young fictive women get advice and support. In the background section of the essay I have made studies of how it is to be a young woman in modern society. It also covers a historical perspective of the modern youth novel and presents studies based upon reading and reader-response theory of young people. I apply the theory of the psychiatrist Jan Ramström who uses a psychoanalytical and a culture theoretical perspective on young people’s development in modern society. Methodologically I use a qualitative text analysis. I have found that foremost it’s the mothers who provide support and advice to their daughters but support from other grown-ups and from institutions of society also occur. To sum up, the support consists of comfort, conversation, practical, economical and medical help, advice for the future, and also encouragement and praise. The support from friends can be practical advice and help but also someone to talk to. The descriptions of the relations between youths and supporting adults are positive. The novels show that it’s easier to get through difficulties in life when you have someone to turn to.Uppsatsnivå: