Identifying Controversial Themes in Literary Works

When we hear the word "banned," we immediately associate it with like terms: forbidden, rejected, and perhaps censorship. The idea behind banning a book has been ingrained in civilization since the mass publication of books with the invention of the printing press. It is interesting to see similar patterns from 14th century Europe seep its way into our lives today, but as more and more books are offered as possible reading choices, the heavier the scrutiny school board members take to ensure anything that comes into the classroom is of utmost quality. 

But what exactly determines if a book is "qualified?" 

As an English major, reading has been my bread and butter for a good majority of my life. Since I picked up my first novel, I felt a deep connection with books. They were my solace, my insight into the world, and stable companions when I had no one else to turn to. (It sounds sadder than my situation actually was...) Anyways, when I started researching this topic, I thought back to a book report I did on a new modern "classic": Marcus Zuzak's The Book Thief. This historical fiction novel delves into heavy topics, such as censorship during Hitler's reign, the flight of thousands of Europeans from their homelands with the onslaught of WWII, and the courage of one family who risked so much to protect a practical stranger. In my report, I focused on book burnings. During these terrible events, people would bring (read: would be forced to) bring any book, pamphlet, novel, or other reading material that disagreed with the Nazi party's agenda. Then, fueled by the anger and cheers of onlookers, soldiers would set fire to the mountain of literary works. It was a horrible and disturbing display of people's utter brainwashing. 

Except for one young girl who saw through the flames of hatred and manipulation.

https://lesliesbookcase.com/2016/10/13/the-book-thief/

Liesel Meminger saw these displays and instantly rejected them. In a small act of protest, she would inspect the damage after the flames died down and take any decently preserved book she could find. Still smoldering from its fire bath, she would come home with burns and soot. But she hardly felt anything except the excitement of holding a book of her own in her hands. 

"It was the book she wanted... She wouldn’t tolerate having it given to her by a lonely, pathetic old woman. Stealing it, on the other hand, seemed a little more acceptable. Stealing it, in a sick kind of sense, was like earning it"

(Zusak, 27 Important 'The Book Thief' Quotes By Markus Zusak (kidadl.com)

 

 Liesel would probably not see the book banning surge in our nation today as egregious as the physical acts of burning books, but the relentless evaluation of reading materials is not unlike the political employment of censorship. Jenna Lee Caskinett of Handle Proxy distinguishes two of the most common forms seen in today's academic environment. She defines the act of challenging a literary work as, “[A]n attempt to remove or restrict materials, based upon the objections of a person or group” while “banning is the removal of those materials” (Caskinett 10). 

It's no secret that novels used in the classrooms are scrupulously reviewed for controversial themes. These range from race, sexual orientation, profanity, and violence to "the ever so generic ‘age appropriateness’" (Caskinett 11).

                                Challenges by Reasons, “Banned Books” (libguides.butler.edu)

Caskinett's analysis holds true as she bases it off of the collected data. Not every book is like an R-rated movie, but even across the 20-year span, the numbers don't lie. Books across various genres, themes, and content undergo some form of review, no matter the era. The Great Gatsby is questioned for its promiscuity and sexual undertones; To Kill a Mockingbird depicts racism insensitively; even The Wonderful Wizard of Oz faced backlash for its use of witchcraft. Yet again, those issues were cherrypicked from the core of the novel overall. 

What it comes down to, as Caskinett notes, is "Censorship and the limiting of information is a fantastic way to ensure compliance and the maintenance of the status quo" and "stunt the growth of students" (11, 15). Teachers can prevent students from accessing books with controversial topics, but eventually reality will catch up with them. So, the question of "Why are books challenged?" becomes, "When is the right time to introduce certain books into a student's life?"

Let's begin as we would any novel: starting at page one.