"Wilderness" In David Almond's Youth Novels

David Almond is not only a famous British writer,but also a world-class writer in children's literature.As an important image in western literary,"wilderness" is also the key word in Almond's creation.In Almond's youth novels,"wilderness" has two meanings: first,it is a natural wilderness,which gives children the freedom to publicize their nature and rebel against adult authority,and also provides a place to vent the potential energy of children's heart;secondly,it is an inner wilderness,which truly reflects the cruelty and danger of the external environment,and projects the darkness and wild desire of the child.The "wilderness" in Almond's novels is mainly manifested in three dimensions:the game between wildness and civilization,the release of anxiety and fear,the trial and redemption of human nature.Firstly,children who have been bound by social rules can release "wildness" in the wilderness and maintain their vitality and creativity of life,but there are certain dangers in excessive release of "wildness".How to find a balance between wildness and civilization is the key to growth.Secondly,"wilderness" is not only an external environment,but also a child's inner environment.Traumatic childhood scenes in the novel,such as peer bullying,social exclusion,the death or persistent illness of relatives,and the shadow of war,make children feel anxious and fearful.The wilderness is not only a mirror of their negative emotions,but also an important place for them to release their negative emotions and heal their wounds.Finally,because of the inner conflict and the influence of the external environment,teenagers are prone to make barbaric acts.The wilderness out of thecontrol of civilization is their "evil" test ground of human nature and their spiritual salvation.Through the writing of "wilderness",Almond shows the diversity of life,the complexity of human nature,the relativity of morality and the plurality of values in childhood,and deeply reflects the dialectical understanding of the philosophical propositions that children will inevitably face in their growth,such as wildness and civilization,art and morality,light and darkness,good and evil.The wilderness in Almond's youth novels not only inherits the tradition of wilderness writing in Christian literature and Western literature,but also represents a multi-level and multi-faceted spiritual world for children.