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Tuesday, November 13, 2007

Fahrenheit 451 -- Banned?

I have so many blogs to catch up on. Have not been reading much; still in a reading slump!

Check out this video about Book Banning. Unbelievable.

16 comments:

  1. Some people really need to get a life!! I can understand the idea that you wouldn't want your kids to read something you find disturbing. But if the school allows an alternate reading assignment, that should be the end of it. What gives a person the right to dictate his beliefs to everyone??

    I really like it that the kids themselves are getting in on it and creating their own protest to it!! Something good CAN come from literature!!

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  2. I agree with Stephanie's comment. If the parents find the material objectionable for their child, an alternate reading assignment is perfectly within their right to request. However, I disagree with banning the book from the whole curriculum in general.

    As a Christian, this is a touchy issue and I often find myself at odds with my fellow Christians in my beliefs about book banning. I support this parent who does take an interest in what his child reads, so many don't. However, I feel that this is not the best way to influence other people. It's sad and divisive. Unfortunately, this parent is not going to be able to "protect" his child her whole life from what happens in this world. A better method, I feel, is to read the book together with the child and talk about the family's viewpoints on certain issues without involving all of the entire school district.

    I do applaud the students for taking an interest in the situation and for supporting their opinions.

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  3. People tend to be over-reacting to almost everything these days. So self-centered and egotistic.

    I understand different people believe in different set of values, dictated by religious creed and purpose, but banning a book from the curriculum altogether?

    Listening to the father and daughter I can't help feeling sorry for them. What's going to happen when she reads something in history that makes her feel uncomfortable, petition to ban the whole segment of history to be taught?

    Now I understand why some of our kids are so deprived of their world views. They're too sucked into their own world.

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  4. I'm both sad and embarrassed to say that this school is only about 20 miles due north of me. Conroe is a relatively rural setting when it comes to the Houston area but it has changed a lot in the last couple of decades as Houston has grown in its direction.

    The man sounds like a fool, his daughter like a victim of his small mind.

    I doubt that the man has read a book in his life or this one would certainly seem "tame" in comparison to what high school kids are reading nowadays...if they bother to read outside of class, that is.

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  5. If anything, the suggestion that a book be banned makes me even more eager to read the book and I know I'm not the only one! I won't be at all surprised if this gentleman's silly suggestion that it be taken off the reading lists at schools is in fact turning more people onto the book.

    I have been finding it difficult to write reviews and visit blogs, too, Jenclair. I've taken up a new job (in retail) and it's sucking up all my time!

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  6. Wow-talk about missing the entire point! I'm planning on reading this book early next year, and it just got bumped up.

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  7. Stephanie -- I agree; if you have that much time to try to run the lives of other people, how much is left for your own self-improvement?

    Kay -- I can understand a parent censoring a young child's reading matter, but if you've taught your child well, the grip should loosen when they are older. Sometimes it is a good idea to read opposing views! Discussion and evaluation are key ideas.

    You are right about it being divisive. Instead of criticizing another's choice, maybe they should try explaining their own and hope that both could come away with a larger view.

    Matt -- The father and daughter are sad. You really hit on something about the reading of history...and the way many countries alter or eradicate history to suit their own ideas.

    Not only are they in the black holes of their own world, they want to pull everyone else in with them.

    Sam -- There are people like this in every community, Conroe just got the publicity. You are right about the daughter being a victim of his small mind. What a sad legacy.

    Lotus -- And sometimes that is a good thing! We learn about other cultures, religions, and points of view when we read some of the material that ends up being banned.
    How better to form our own belief system?

    Best of luck in your new job, Lotus!

    Eva -- That was exactly the point I wanted to make about this ridiculous campaign. The irony of his wanting to ban (burn) any books with which he disagrees. Not "those awful people burned the Bible" but "that awful book tells about people who burn the Bible."

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  9. I hate book banning. There is a reason that Freedom of Speech is part of what founded our country. True, the people who don't want to read the book shouldn't have to to but just because you don't like something doesn't mean you should get on your soapbox and tell the rest of the world that they should remove a book! Completely stupid! I don't like the color red, should I ask someone to ban the color?

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  10. Oh why do these always seem to happen in Texas! I need to move :)
    Seriously though it made me so happy to see the students in support of the book getting their petitions out. I'm so glad they are fighting for their right to read it.
    And, like Lotus said, once a book is banned it only makes it so much more intriguing. I've not read Fahrenheit 451 but it's on my TBR list of course.
    Hope you get out of your reading slump Jenclair - are you working on quilts then?

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  11. Ladytink-- Orwell's thought police. It is hard to understand; by this standard, the Bible could be banned because some people don't believe in it.

    iliana -- :0 At least this one wasn't in Louisiana! We have enough bad publicity. You'll love Fahrenheit 451, iliana!

    I am working on quilts and smaller projects and baby clothes!

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  12. Thank you for sharing the story with us, Jenclair. It is amusing in a sad sort of way that someone would want to ban Fahrenheit 451, but it's not really surprising.

    The girl's initial comment that one of the reasons she stopped reading the book was because of the Bible burning . . . Wasn't that part of the point of the book? That it was wrong to burn books and suppress free thinking? Maybe if she would have kept reading, she would have figured that out for herself.

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  13. I'm so pleased with the students who have spoken up for the book.

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  14. L.F. -- :) Isn't it strange that they don't see that point? Maybe the girl is so used to being told what to think that even finishing the book wouldn't have helped.

    Bybee -- It IS reassuring to see that the students have gotten involved.

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  15. It is the definition of irony! She was offended by the burning of the bible. Does she not see the point that's being made?!

    I've never read it but what was he referring to by "talking about firemen"?

    Great video Jenclair.

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  16. Chris -- In the novel the job of burning books belongs to the "firemen." Since the book is really about the danger of censorship and book banning, the firemen take on a negative connotation. I'm guessing that is the father's objection.

    And yes, the story is an excellent definition of irony, isn't it?

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