The Geography of Childhood and Affective Archetypes: A DiscursiveMythological Approach to the Representations of Serbia in British and American Interwar Travel Accounts

One of the key representations Serbia between two world wars in British and American travel accounts is one about a child. Set context Orientalism postcolonial tradition this representation usually interpreted as infantilization that reflects marginalization symbolic position Balkans outside mainstream politics economy. As academic discourse mostly occupied with orientalism postcolonialism, paper focuses on mythological potential analysis Serbia—“the child Europe.” The analyses three forms interwar accounts, while each chapter dedicated to specific form infantilization: 1. an orphan Europe; 2. Serbs medieval people (unspoiled by civilization vital); 3. Their “temperament” reveals cultural, thus, political immaturity. based Darren Kelsey’s discursive-mythological approach it draws conclusion interconnection child’s image, culture, historical circumstances, internal/external affective archetypes.