Why are people wanting to censor the book "The Giver"?

Question

I dont understand why a book with great themes should be censored. Whats the point? There is nothing wrong with this book that isnt shown on the news or other books.

Answer 1

I think that it was written for young audiences, but that some of the themes may be somewhat taboo for discussion...taking a pill and being a-sexual, love and real family not really existing, having birth mothers...and being a natural mother being just a job.

Then there is this idea that the government is omnipotent and does the right thing, but in reality you die if you disagree.

Personally, I think the book fosters a lot of critical literacy and should be read, but there are these issues that freak out your black and white thinkers who don't give kids credit--they think it will cause some sort of anarchy or something.

Answer 2

I don't know but as time goes on they want to censor more and more books that they think aren't appropriate. I think that if they should censor things it should be music and movies not books. Its freedom of speech and the books had to have been good they way they were to be published without being censored.

Answer 3

I don't understand the reasons why so many books seem to get banned, especially in the US. Perhaps it is because it encourages the idea of individuality being more important than perfect numbing bliss, or that it questions a relentless pursuit of personal sensory pleasure? It is not a book that encourages children to become little automatons...so it is therefore dangerous.

My gripe is only with the companion book, Gathering Blue. Piece of wimp-out tripe!

Answer 4

Found this on wikipedia about the giver: "The novel's depiction of suicide, euthanasia, socialist government, and infanticide are typically cited as concerns"

They can find reasons to ban any book, usually really bad reasons.. here's a website of all kinds of banned or challenged books, if you're interested.

http://www.ala.org/ala/oif/bannedbooksweek/bbwlinks/100mostfrequently.htm

One of the most interesting ones I came across was Little Red Riding Hood!!!

Answer 5

Probably because stupid people think that children won't understand it. It discuses various things that parents don't find apropriate for their precious babies... feh. It's like for the same reason people tried to ban Harry Potter because stupid people thought their kids would read the books then say "I just read Harry Potter and now I'm going to dump my morals and run away to be a satanist because Harry does magic!" People are ignorant and think kids can't handle the world around them and that's why the world is in the state it's in. Becasue people are ignorant and overprotected and are never given the chance to understand and confront the issues surrounding us everyday!

Answer 6

I just finished reading this book, and as a mom the infanticide stuff was really hard to take. I don't think it should be banned, but I do think teachers (and I am one) should gauge their classes carefully before deciding to tackle "The Giver," especially in middle school.

Answer 7

The book deals with topics such as suicide, euthanasia, socialist government, and infanticide. Many feel these are not topics that should be discussed in school. People just don't understand the capable minds that are in schools these days. Instead they think that children are ignorant and wont understand like they don't....

Answer 8

It is the hyprocritical government with Bush at the top, and as he thinks he is in direct contact with God, he can decide what the rest of the country should or should not read.

It only happens in the USA.

Answer 9

I didn't know books were banned.
It shouldn't be because if NAMBLA can distribute information on how to rape boys with out getting caught, one should be able to read anything they want.

Answer 10

people are censoring it? i havn't heard that. what, precisely, are they censoring? its a great book that makes you think. is that a crime these days?