In response to the recent Answers blog, what is your opinion on banning books?

Question

I believe that the banning of books is wrong on a lot of levels. Books promote imagination and creativity, and how can you ban something that encourages mental strengthening?

I am a teenager, so you would think I could care less in the world of writing. Strike one. I am not simply interested in mindless video games, I also read a considerable amount of material. And, personally, the more controversial the material, the more I am inclined to read it. I searched all through the stores for Farenhiet 451, however I simply gave up because I could find it nowhere. Why? Because it had been banned! I can understand placing restrictions on obscene and pornographic material, but Farenheit 451? They've just banned a book, that is about banning books! How conservative can you possibly get?

Answer 1

i agree...do you know that in some schools The Diary of Ann Frank is banned because of the date she has with the boy she lives with? Charlotte's Web is also banned because the spider dies...as if no child will ever have to deal with death in his/her life. I highly doubt that the parents who want "Nappy Hair" banned ever read the story because it is a beautiful one. it is frightening what people think should be censored.

Answer 2

They banned a book which was written about people banning books? Where do you live? Banning any type of book should be a crime. Of course there should be parameters to protect kids from pornographic material but still, banning anything leads us down a very very slippery slope. As far as this Farenheit 541, you should call the local news or local paper and get them to run a story on it. At the very least that will embarrass the hell out of the people who got it banned!

Answer 3

I agree that they shouldn't ban books. I love to read about different authors' perspectives on controversial subjects but what can we do? Its the conservative people that don't want the younger generation to read the banned novels. I hope Fahrenheit 451 isn't banned because I look forward to reading that novel.

Answer 4

Go to Amazon.com and search for the title. You'll find numerous used and new copies of the book ranging in price from $2.83. Because it is an older book, it is not as likely to be found in bookstores, which typically stock more recent titles. I imagine it's also available for free at your local library, if cost is a concern.

You can also Google the title and find stores that do stock it.

Answer 5

There's a link Yahoo has, it will transfer a copy of your entire blog over to that new profile page. Just snoop around a bit, go to where they talk about the closing of 360, and you'll find the link...

Answer 6

Do you know the most published book that has been banned? Some will doubtlessly be shocked to learn that it's the Bible. So easy to go to nearly all bookstores and pick up a copy, but it was banned at one time. Or more accurately the English translation seems to be what was banned.

People ban books because they either don't fit in with their beliefs or they could inspire others to stand against them. Yet at the same time banning books can also make them more intresting to folks. And authors like J.K. Rowling could see the attempts to ban their books as putting them up there with folks like Twain, Golding, and Steinbeck. In fact Rowling said herself that knowing folks wanted her books banned put her in company with Harper Lee, Twain, Salinger, Golding, Steinbeck, and others she respected.

People sadly try banning or challenging books to control what people think and believe. For example, the Harry Potter books are often targets of banning because they are about witches and wizards and supposedly reading them causes kids to dabble in witchcraft. So the claim is often made their about witchcraft and are meant to lead children astray but by banning them people can instill proper values in their kids. And there are folks who will believe what these people say to be true so they willingly accept it.

Or they ban or challenge books because they have offensive material (or material that is viewed as offensive for reading by certain age groups) in them and their trying to keep from offending folks. For example, "Uncle Tom's Cabin" was challenged in 1984 in the Waukegan, Illinois school district because it contained a racial slur. That same year the school district also challenged "Gone with the Wind" for the same racial slur. Two years earlier Wise County, Virginia challenged the "Diary of Anne Frank:" because it contained Sexually offensive passages.

Then there is the case of banning books that may actually pose more of a threat to public health and not because those banning them are trying to control thought or keep folks from being offended. For example, if a book is put out that gives detailed instructions on how to murder someone, then people may wish to have the book banned to keep folks from attempting to use it. Some countries have banned "The Anarchist Cookbook" as it has instructions for making various explosives.

Answer 7

FYI...Farenhiet 451 wasn't banned.
Books should be protected under freedom of speech, but you know with the Patriot Act and all it seems are rights are under attack.

Answer 8

I think the banning of fiction is a disgrace ... however, some of the best novels were written when there was strict censorship, so perhaps it fosters creativity? Just to play Devil's Advocate!

Answer 9

I agree! I love reading and it is morally wrong, AND against the constitition to ban something that inspirees and free the world of stress. If you the world some day bands itself of books, I assure you that I will read!

Answer 10

your right thats a great movie i didnt know there was a book on it ill have 2 search 2 find it obviousley banning boks id wrong im a teen 2 and i read alot also