BEYOND FIXING: THE INTERPLAY OF DYSMORPHIC IDENTITY, RESISTANCE OF ABLEIST NARRATIVERS, AND ALLYSHIP IN AUGGIE & ME

Abstract

Children’s Literature, a genre, originally emerged for both educational and entertainment motives, has steadily grown to include a greater range of viewpoints. In recent years, a critical imperative has evolved within the genre to enhance the inclusivity towards characters with disabilities. By highlighting the social construction of disability and challenging long-standing standards of normality and physical ability, this change is consistent with criticisms of ableist paradigms. Through the theoretical framework of Robert McRuer’s (2006) Crip Theory, this research offers a critical examination of R.J. Palacio’s Auggie & Me (2014). The key objectives of this research are to investigate the modalities of emotional complexity involved in parenting of a child having facial disfigurement. It extends its scope to explore the coalitional relations and agency of people with deformities in promoting social justice and solidarity. It examines the transgressive tactics these people employ to oppose ableist systems. This research draws conclusions that shows the strong family ties and complex emotional dynamics are essential for empowering characters to go beyond social norms and reject ableism. Furthermore, a paradigm change in public view is sparked by the agency of crippled individuals, which is expressed through the acceptance of fluid identities. The study also reveals how character alliances strengthen people by promoting group opposition to prevailing discourses about ability and disability. Thus, by highlighting the need for critical representations of disability that actively advance social justice, solidarity, and inclusion, this study makes a substantial contribution to the area of Children’s Literature.