„Csak élet és halál dolgában járok” : A gyászfeldolgozás ábrázolása a Szólít a szörny című regény bábadaptációjában

Bálint, Zsófia (2026) „Csak élet és halál dolgában járok” : A gyászfeldolgozás ábrázolása a Szólít a szörny című regény bábadaptációjában. THEATRON: SZÍNHÁZTUDOMÁNYI PERIODIKA, 20 (2). pp. 134-145. ISSN 1418-9941

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Abstract

Since the 2010s, Hungarian children’s literature has increasingly tackled taboo topics—such as divorce, bullying, and grief—through storytelling with a strong pedagogical intent. In What Cannot Be Talked About, Must Be Talked About, Andrea Lovász critiques this literature for its inherent tension: while such works necessitate a degree of emotional detachment, their fictional nature often deeply engages readers on an emotional level. This study, expanding on Lovász’s insights, examines whether puppet theatre provides a more suitable medium for addressing taboo subjects. I focus on puppetry’s abstract, symbolic qualities and their ability to facilitate discussions on grief and death. The analysis centres on The Monster Calls, performed by the Mesebolt Puppet Theatre. First, I assess how the play aligns with the psychological frameworks of child development and grief. Second, I argue that puppetry’s “double reception”—viewing puppets as both characters and objects—combined with its “open play” technique, creates a layered, reflective experience that can be ideal for engaging with difficult themes.

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