by Annabelle Smith
Photo from: American Library Association
Modern classics are often under the most scrutiny when it comes to bans and challenges, especially when incorporated into public high school curriculums. The books are considered literary classics for a reason: they are often timeless, well-written, and encapsulate an issue that continues to be applicable for decades. However, that last point makes them controversial. These books don’t talk about issues that our society has overcome. Often, they criticized and continue to condemn our modern beliefs, making them a frequent target of bans and challenges.
Some of the most popularly banned books were written in the last century. The most famously banned book in America and across the world is 1984, written by English author George Orwell in 1949. This book has been the subject of criticism across America for promoting pro-communist views and containing sexually explicit themes. Ironically, the book was also banned in Russia for being pro-capitalist. However, the book is actually anti-authoritarianism, and serves as a cautionary tale against nationalism and censorship.
While 1984 is the most challenged, disgruntled parents mostly agree on why they believe school-aged children shouldn’t be allowed to read it. That’s not the case with other classic novels. John Steinbeck’s Of Mice and Men “is full of racism, profanity, and foul language,” “takes God’s name in vain 15 times,” and “does not represent traditional values.” Alice Walker’s The Color Purple is described as “X-rated,” with parents concerned about portrayal of homosexuality, rape, and incest. To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee has been challenged over and over for inclusion of racial slurs and depiction of a white savior character.
Again and again and again. The books are “vulgar,” “obscene,” “filthy.” And because of that, regardless of the context or the literary intention, the books are removed from shelves.
Whether or not these classics are really suitable for students isn’t up to any one person. An important discussion to have when talking about banned books is the very real concerns behind these accusations. 1984 is an important book about political philosophy, but the depictions of women are nothing short of objectifying. Atticus Finch in To Kill a Mockingbird is, quite literally, a white savior, regardless of the connotation. The Color Purple, published in 1982, dicusses sex in extensive passages, both in a positive and negative light. No book is entirely good or bad, and these classics are no exception.
A reader can interpret these books in a million different ways. That’s the beauty of literature. What might be offensive to one person might not even stick out to another, and the bottom line is that that’s okay. What isn’t okay is to stop talking about it. To ignore what makes us uncomfortable, even if there’s a legitimate reason, discontinues important conversations about what we can do different. When taught by a respectful, sensitive, and well-educated teacher, the classroom can become the perfect place for these conversations. It can be a safe place to read, to ask questions, even to express frustrations. In many school districts where these books are taught, students are provided with content warnings and can opt to read a less controversial book at no penalty. The classroom becomes a safe environment to learn for all students.
Of course, there will always be outliers. Some pieces of classic literature are outright racist, sexist, homophobic, etc., written with the intent to spread hate. These books should be taken off the shelves without a doubt. But the vast majority are not like that. Uncomfortable content is used to make a point, and is often used to show the negative impacts it has on the characters. Authors don’t take the issues they write about lightly. These controversial classics have remained important parts of American literature for decades because of their critical examination of our societies, our belief systems, our way of life. They can be uncomfortable to read, but they can also be cornerstones in a reader’s understanding of the world.
Want to read one of these controversial classics? Here are some top picks from The Phantom:
I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou
Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury
Catch-22 by Joseph Heller
Animal Farm by George Orwell
The Color Purple by Alice Walker
The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls
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