Asterix and the bureaucrats
Posted on July 7, 2010Times have changed in children’s literature and TV. Where once you could be pretty sure that the fiction kids devoured encouraged a spirit of adventure and a culture of individual responsibility now you just don’t know.
What is the likelihood of most books being as lackadaisical about health and safety as Arthur Ransome’s Swallows and Amazons where, when sent a telegram by the children’s concerned mother asking whether they should be allowed to go sailing on their own, their naval officer father replies simply: “Better drowned than duffers. If not duffers, won’t drown”?
In the 21st century, Swallows and Amazons would end abruptly with their parents being banged up with Karen Matthews, and the kids sent off into care.
In the spirit of promoting children’s fiction which encourages a healthy view of the world, I’d like to draw your attention to the following clip from The Twelve Tasks of Asterix, in which our hero has to take on the most difficult opponent of all – bureaucracy:
Tags: Asterix, Books, Bureaucracy, Children's fiction, films, Politics, propaganda, voluntary
Categories: Books, Culture, Politics
I think it is an unfortunate by-product of the feminisation of society. Mothers naturally are protective of their children, now society is perhaps over protective. I have two kids and we need a big car because of the child seats. When I grew up you could throw an under tens football team in the back of a Mini without worrying about being arrested.
20.07.2010 09:50
An accurate portrayal of attempting to obtain a parking permit from Ealing Council. I had to go back 4 times with different pieces of information, waiting an hour each time. And then pay them £40 for my troubles.
20.07.2010 10:11