Index Dora the Explorer Introduction Dora's Lessons and Emotional Processing Audience Interaction Conclusion Dora Essay Example Introduction to Dora the Explorer as a fictional character who teaches a young audience Reference to Walton's criteria on the importance of narrative Dora's lessons and emotional processing Description of Dora addressing the audience and teaching lessons, especially about theft Connection between teaching morals and emotional processing Consistency of the message in all episodes Interaction with the audience Dora's direct interaction with the audience and its impact Placing viewers in similar situations and providing real-life experiences Connection to Walton's idea of engaging in pretend play and educational stimulation Conclusion Summary of how Dora the Explorer meets Walton's criteria for the importance of fiction in teaching and emotional processing Dora Essay Example Dora the Explorer is a fictional character who goes on adventures whose purpose is aimed at teaching young audiences new things . From counting, to the values of friendship and sharing, Dora teaches the audience about the characters the fundamentals or a sort of code to follow specific to the different episodes. Walton explains that narrative can help one process one's emotions and fears (p. 705, par. 6-7). Looking at the fantasy world that Dora presents, not only does the character verbally address the audience to make them feel part of the story that could prepare them for similar situations in real life, but she also gives suggestive advice that will resonate with young audiences of the show. By exploring these methods used by the explorer Dora, it becomes clear how exactly Walton's criteria for why narrative is important are easily represented through the character Dora. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay In every episode of Dora the Explorer, Dora encounters a fox who tries to steal her things. Dora looks directly at the audience and asks them to repeat after her to scare the fox away; always maintaining eye contact with the viewers, Dora explains why stealing is wrong and this happens in every single episode. By attempting to teach the audience the lesson that stealing is wrong, this in terms resonates with Walton's criteria of fiction that help process emotions. The standard that stealing is wrong can change, further or repress one's feelings, and Walton even says that one "learns to accept them, to purify oneself from them, or whatever exactly one does" (p. 705, par. 6). . It's also the fact that this standard of stealing wrong is taught throughout the episodes, further conditioning or influencing the audience to think or believe a certain way. When Dora directly addresses the audience and tells them that they shouldn't steal more of people's personal items, the character also interacts with the audience and makes them feel or seem like a part of the fictional world. In this way, Dora is able to put the viewers in the same situation she is in and, as a byproduct, give the viewer the experience to handle a similar situation in real life. Walton explains that it is as if we are playing a game every time we read or listen to a story, and each time we take part and participate in a game of make-believe (p. 707, par. 3). Walton also highlights the importance of educational stimulation and links it to a form of therapy, better known as Gestalt therapy (p. 705, par. 8). The relationship Walton uses does not define Gestalt therapy, but is simply used to explain fascination.
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