Does anybody know how much violence, sex and profanity it contains? My daughter will be assigned that book in English, and I'm not sure I want her to read it. I'm planning to read it for myself to make sure, but any input I can get would be good.
2006-08-17 03:31:59 · 10 answers · asked by flyersbiblepreacher 4 in Education & Reference ➔ Primary & Secondary Education
I find comments about 'no more sex or profanity than necessary' quite humorous, because I don't see how any sex or profanity is necessary in any literature, much less school assignments. I have a duty as a parent to protect my child from such influences in the first place, not to talk to her about them after the fact.
2006-08-17 03:52:04 · update #1
"The teacher knows what's best for the class"?
I don't think so.
She can do whatever she wants with her children, but I have the God-given responsibility to look out for my children and to protect them from these things. Yes, I know that they will come into contact with them at some point; my job is to protect them while I can.
2006-08-17 05:43:28 · update #2
There is a tiny bit of violence (one character murders another character), but it's not graphic, and it's no worse than what you might be exposed to on, say, the news. As for profanity and sex, there's only the word "damn" and no sexual content whatsoever. I lent the book to a student of mine who was 12 at the time, she quite enjoyed it, I think.
2006-08-17 03:45:46 · answer #1 · answered by JudasHero 5 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Your question is pretty interesting, since the book itself is about the idea of banning books! Fahrenheit 451 does not have severe violence, sex, or profanity - in the sense that they do not dominate the book and more than is absolutely necessary. In general, it's simply a book about a society in which books are prohibited, and "firefighters" are actually people who go out and destroy books by fire. It brings up interesting ideas about free speech, human rights, and censorship - in other words, if all your daughter learns from the book is an incident of one man hitting another or something, she probably didn't read the book that carefully. I promise that violence, sex, and profanity will not be what comes across.
The incidence of violence include:
+ a suicide
+ a woman who chooses to burn in her burning house rather than leave her books
+ the main character setting another man on fire rather than burning down his own house
+ news of a nuclear disaster
However, I suggest you read through the Sparknotes site below to get a feel for the context. I really want to emphasize that in schools that are increasingly having children read boring, childish books with main characters who never do or feel anything realistic, due to fears of parental disapproval, this is one book that actually has something important to say.
If you're worried about your child taking violence from the novel, I suggest you discuss the relevant chapters with her and make sure she understands the context. It may also help if you give her a little education on violence in general.
Best of luck & happy parenting,
A dystopia-loving non-violent student
2006-08-17 03:47:26 · answer #2 · answered by ghost orchid 5 · 3⤊ 1⤋
There is no sex, profanity and the only violence is the burning of books. It was really a great book and don't worry I am sure she will enjoy reading it. Don't worry there is nothing evil in this book. But you should read it only because it is so good.
2006-08-17 03:40:40 · answer #3 · answered by MAS 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The teacher knows what's the best for class.
Same as "100 Years of Solitude" with so much profanity that people uses every day as 'normal' and even so, got The Nobel Prize.
2006-08-17 05:37:20 · answer #4 · answered by bigonegrande 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
It is low on the actual violens, sex and profanity. The book discusses our dying ability to think as multi-media devices consume our attention. This then leads to us being easily shepparded and molded by the government.
The book emphasises the importance of critical thinking. Please, do read it yourself! Read it in the same allotments as your daughter both for the sake of the exciting dinner conversations you will have and so as to help keep her interest up in this mildly challenging book for a young adult.
2006-08-21 17:48:28 · answer #5 · answered by giddhom 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hardly any violence, no sex and no profanity.
2006-08-17 03:36:52 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't think it has much of any of those things,
some frightening imagery certainly...
It is really worth reading, I hope you both like it.
2006-08-17 03:38:40 · answer #7 · answered by ladders_to_fire 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Very little of any of those. I STRONGLY urge you to allow her to read that book, and I STRONGLY encourage you to read it.
It may change your views on censoring your daughter from reading classic novels.
2006-08-17 03:37:02 · answer #8 · answered by airforceterp330 3 · 2⤊ 1⤋
THROW IT IN THE TRASH AND GET HER SOMETHING LIKE WIINIE THE POOH OR TIGER TOO, WHY ON GOOD GODS EARTH WOULD YOU WANTING HER READING THAT TRAILER PARK TRASH?? GO WITH SOMETHING ELSE ETC OR HAVE HER START WATCHING MR RODGERS ON TV OR BIG BIRD NOT THJAT BOOK NO!!
2006-08-17 03:37:23 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 4⤋
You could always burn that book when she brings it home.
2006-08-17 03:37:58 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋