Unjust Censorship Essays - Book Censorship In The United States

Unjust Censorship Benninger, James E. Mr. Bernard Thinking & Writing Paper 3 / 4 Unjust Censorship One of the greatest inventions of modern times was the printing press. With it, the painstaking process of copying books by hand was abolished, and the circulation of books on a large scale began. With this circulation came the banning of many books that religious leaders felt were inappropriate (ACLU 1). Today, in an age when free speech and press are guaranteed by the Constitution, censorship of books is still occurring. Although the methods may have changed, many of today's literary masterpieces are still being banned from schoolrooms and libraries on the premise that they may be inappropriate. When books are challenged, restricted, removed, or banned, an atmosphere of suppression exists (ACLU 1). There are many ways in which this can occur. For an author who is currently writing to have banned books, that author may make revisions to their work, less for artistic reasons, but simply to avoid controversy. The editor or publisher may alter the text themselves or elect not to publish a book simply because of marketing reasons. Staff in bookstores may remove a book from their shelves that has been deemed too controversial to avoid any negative consequences. When literary classics become banned, students are left out from something far greater than over Benninger 2 zealous and conservative educators think they are protecting them from. The positive aspects a student picks up from a literary masterpiece are far greater than the few negative aspects of the book, which may be a few obscenities or sexual connotation. These few negatives are arbitrary arguments for banning a book when compared to the positive ideas, methods of thinking, and literary background a student can receive. One of the most widely banned books is Mark Twain's The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. Known for its detailed look into Southern life and human consanguinity, Huckleberry Finn is also known for its use of the word nigger. Although it may be a horrible word to use, no other word would have done to describe the feelings of some of the southern characters in the book. Had Mark Twain used African Americans, negros, or blacks, the point of unjustified hate by some towards the blacks would not have been as strong. If the novel were to be changed to make a few educators happy, much of the meaning of the book would be lost. Another book that is infamous because of its absence from classrooms is Alice Walker's The Color Purple-a novel about the courage and strength of a poor southern Black girl named Celie. Many schools have banned The Color Purple because of its sexual content (ALA 2). Much of the controversy surrounding the book is due to a rape scene in the first chapter in which Celie is raped by her father. Although not appropriate for younger readers, there is no reason that Celie's story of a woman's struggle through life should not be read by more mature audiences. What the first chapter Benninger 3 does is set the tone for the rest of the novel and is essential to the idea of Celie being a survivor. Another notable novel that has been posted on many schools' banned books list is The Lord of the Flies by William Golding. The book describes in detail the horrific exploits of a band of young children who make a striking transition from civilized to barbaric. The Lord of the Flies commands a pessimistic outlook that seems to show that man is inherently tied to society, and without it, would likely return to savagery (Gerenser 223). The book contains many incidences of violence, two of which result in the death of two boys. However, these scenes of violence are essential to the author's argument of man's dependence on society. Furthermore, these scenes are nothing in comparison to many of the shows and movies that students watch on television or at theatres. An author that has received much undue criticism recently is J. K. Rowling and her Harry Potter series. Proponents of its banning in elementary schools argue that its focus on wizardry and magic (ALA 2) may have an evil impression on children. Some goes as far as calling it satanic. But

How Loneliness Affects Characters in of Mice and Men Essay Example

How Loneliness Affects Characters in of Mice and Men Essay Example How Loneliness Affects Characters in of Mice and Men Paper How Loneliness Affects Characters in of Mice and Men Paper Essay Topic: Literature Loneliness is one of the primary themes in Of Mice and Men. Throughout the novel, John Steinbeck shows the enormous effect that loneliness has on the characters. Steinbeck most clearly illustrates this theme through Crooks, Candy, and Curleys wife. Ranch hands are ideal types of people to portray as being lonely, because their constant travel leaves them without someone to talk to or share things with. Steinbeck also shows how important it is for every human being to have a companion. Companionship is necessary in order for someone to live an enjoyable life. Although loneliness affects each one of the characters in Of Mice and Men differently, they all experience negative feelings from their lack of companionship. Crooks-Loneliness has made Crooks a very bitter and isolated person. He is truly not able to leave this situation because of his race. The other men at the ranch do not relate with Crooks unless he is working because he is black. Other than when they are working, the other men shut Crooks out off all of their activities except horseshoes. Crooks are very isolated and not welcome in leisure activities. He has become bitter and known to lash out at people because of the loneliness that he has. Crookss emotions are displayed to the reader when he talks to Lennie in his room about having no one to relate to and communicate with. He exclaimed : Maybe you can see now. You got George. You know hes goin to come back. Spose you didnt have nobody. Spose you couldnt go into the bunk house and play rummy `cuase you was black A guy needs somebodyto be near him In a way, everyone needs someone to talk to, whether it is a friend, family member, or even a pet. This is a source of comfort and wealth for the person. Crooks does not have any of these sources. Crooks has never been treated well by any of his co-workers because he is black. This has affected Crooks greatly. He has become bitter and has obtained a passionate animosity toward everyone. He has a certain demeanour toward everyone due to the way he is treated because of his race. In addition, Crooks also does not know how to relate and function normally anymore because of how his loneliness has effected him. Crookss animosity was exemplified when Lennie comes into his room unannounced. He greets Lennie with: Come on in and set a while Long as you wont get out and leave me alone, you might as well set down. Crooks has been lonely for so long that he expects people not to talk to him. When Lennie comes in and does not have any intention of hurting him, he realizes it and he lets his guard down. It may seem that he doesnt desire friendships or affection, but he no longer knows how to deal with his loneliness. It has made him into another person, one that obtains a relentless hostility toward anyone and everyone that gets close to Curleys wife -Curleys wifes loneliness has altered her demeanor towards others tremendously, making her overtly insecure and excessively flirtatious. Curleys wife has become virtually another person because of loneliness. The men on the ranch avoid her because of flirtatious personality to keep out of trouble. No one understands her situation and how loneliness affects her. Her insecurity is evident by the way she dresses and utilizes her make-up. She uses her appearance to receive attention like when [Curleys Wife] was standing there looking in. She had full, rouged lips and wide-spaced eyes, heavily made up. Her fingernails were red. Her hair hung in little rolled clusters, like sausages. She wore a cotton housedress and red mules, on the steps of which were little bouquets of red ostrich feathers . Curleys Wife feels she must dress this way for people to acknowledge her and give her attention. Her dressing-up is entirely unnecessary because they live on a farm and this is not the typical clothing. The way she dresses/makes herself up proves her insecurity and her inability to feel good about who she really is. Curleys Wife dresses inappropriately along with acting in flirtatious ways. This is another attempt for the attention she believes she does not get. Her coyness is obvious when she, . .. put her hands behind her back and leaned against the door frame so that her body was thrown forward (Steinbeck 31). Curley does not give his wife to love and affection that she desires. This makes her seek it from other people. By not talking to anyone and constantly worrying about what Curley will do, she has attained a slyness that does not appeal to anyone on the ranch. Acting in flirtatious ways is the only way Curleys Wife thinks she can deal with her loneliness. Candy- Candy is isolated in that after the loss of his hand he is unable to work alongside the other men and is reduced to the role of swamper. Once his dog has been shot Candy has little less to live for and is desperately lonely. He is powerless and afraid of the future. He does not go into town with the other men, and sees the inclusion in George and Lennie’s dream as the only way out.