Banned Books!
By Riptide
@Riptide (2756)
United States
August 31, 2007 5:02pm CST
After I posted my last topic, I browsed the site from where I got inspired for my last topic some more, and I came across a link that said Banned Books.
Curious me had to click and I was shocked and surprised.
It said baneed or Challenged Books and wouldn't you know, one of the books is The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn and The Adventures of Tom Sawyer by Mark Twain.
Can somebody please explain to me why those books would be banned or challenged? I devoured those books when I was a child and I can't count how often I read them! I find nothing in there that would warrant a banning. I mean they are childrens books for crying out loud, from what I understand anyway.
Another one that was banned or challenged, is 1984 by George Orwell and Charlie and the Chocolate factory. What???
What the hell am I missing here?
Here is the link, see for yourself.
http://classiclit.about.com/od/bannedliteratur1/a/aa_bannedlist.htm
I was under the impression we have something called freedom of speech here. I guess that doesn't go for books, does it.
I am really confused here and if anybody could give me any insight and tell me what I am missing I would appreciate it.
4 people like this
9 responses
@Thirteenth (291)
• Malaysia
31 Aug 07
Well, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn and The Adventures of Tom Sawyer were probably challenged because of "racism". Some over-sensitive idiots probably thought that having black slaves in a book means the book should be banned.
But I don't know why the other two books you mentioned would be challenged. I haven't read them yet.
3 people like this
@speakeasy (4171)
• United States
31 Aug 07
Some people seem to feel they have to "protect others" from the world and reality.
Some books are banned for language, adult content, violence, political reasons (slavery, racial portrayals, violence, communism, etc.), and/or religious reasons (they even tried to get Harry Potter banned for "promoting witchcraft").
These poor, misguided do-gooders fail to realize that with the classics; these were portrayals of THAT time period and that reading them gives us a window into the past. They also fail to realize that people need to be aware of the "bad" things in life; so, they will not make the same mistakes, and so they can recognize these issues in today's society when they are encountered.
If we fail to teach our children about slavery; how can they recognize it if they encounter it today (and, it does still happen in our world) and know how slavery can be stopped, and at what price, when it is ingrained in a society or culture.
These people mean well; but, they are misguided and will try to bann a book for ONE line in it. That is why we need to be aware of censorship and fight it.
2 people like this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
3 Sep 07
I looked at that incredibly long list and couldn't believe it myself. I can see why some may be considered mature content...possibly as they might suggest racism or racial issues, like To Kill A Mockingbird..but Hamlet?? Gone With The Wind?? Arabian Nights? I'm almost surprised Harry Potter isn't included as many view Rowling's books as promoting witchcraft. Unbelievable!
1 person likes this
@Endorphina (59)
• Germany
3 Sep 07
I think that Gone with the wind was probably also banned because of racial issues. I've done a university session about racism in Gone with the wind, and there were a lot of passages one could consider racist, much more than I had realized when reading the book.
1 person likes this
@puchapox (579)
• Philippines
4 Sep 07
Maybe we're just reading it out of context? I was looking for any information on the website link you gave, and it seems to focused on students of classical literature. The site's fault, i guess, is not explaining why they are banned, or until when was those books banned.
The Bible and Qur'an were actually banned too. according to
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_banned_books there is a 4-volume list of books that were banned for several reasons. I think censors before were bigots and narrow minded.
1 person likes this
@southernbelle77_ab (87)
• United States
6 Sep 07
I don't understand why Mark Twain's beloved classics get such a bad rap, either. They are just about two adventorous boys living life. All in all, I'm sure Tom and Huck didn't do any more or less than half the curious youngsters in America. They should NOT be banned. They are classics and should be on any book lover's shelf.
@gabs8513 (48686)
• United Kingdom
2 Sep 07
Well I have to say Riptide I don't even question things like that anymore no doubt they have listened to someone again to get them banned
I will not say anything to the reasons why as People would take it the wrong way lol but a lot of things have been banned for one reason and things that no one thought twice about or ever connected to anything is now not allowed and it is so sad
What was normal to us as Children is now being banned which in a sense takes part of our Childhood away
@malijka (140)
• Poland
2 Sep 07
I have seen the list and that's unbelievable : I read Tom Sawyer when i was something like 10 yo. and from this book i can say started my adventure with books !!
I can't believe it is banned ....
And Gone With the Wind - Margaret Mitchell?? What is wrong in that book ??
Macbet and Hamlet too : those were my school books i had to read : so many ppl can't be wrong to say we should read it :
@HollyK (29)
• United States
2 Sep 07
Yes it was definitely the language in the book that caused them to become challenged. It happened in Mark Twain's time as well, but he thanked the people banning it because it increased his sales.
The thing that kills me is that you cannot have a discussion on how terrible something is like racism without demonstrating the language and actions that are so offensive. Context means alot. But not apparently to the folks doing the banning. Thank you but I am capable of teaching my children what is offensive, what is wrong and what things they should and should not read and at what age.
The one that I couldn't get over was James and the Giant Peach. What is wrong with people.
1 person likes this
