Toni Morrison Peril Essay

Pete Hautman, an American novelist, once said, “ Yes, books are dangerous. They should be dangerous- they contain ideas”. This quote directly relates to the censorship, banning, and challenging of books. Censorship is the suppression of speech or information, which occurs frequently when books are being challenged or banned. When a book is challenged, it is in away disabled and is being opposed by an audience, whereas when a book is banned it is prohibited from being read by a certain audience.

Censorship is an issue that civilizations have struggled with for hundreds of years. The question that leaders ask themselves is, “Is censorship the problem or solution?” In Ray Bradbury’s novel, Fahrenheit 451, he finds the solution. The novel is set in the future where books are banned, and firefighters set houses on fire that hold books. The main character, Montag, is a firefighter that hates his life and his occupation.

First, the author argues, “When engaging in critical literacy, readers question reality and entertain multiple perspectives about particular topics, attitudes, and behaviors” (Graff). Challenged and banned books are beneficial to readers. These banned books help students evaluate more difficult pieces of literature, which could be used in the future. Jennifer Graff states, “...Book censorship helps us think critically about the power of the written word as well as the relationships between individuals, texts, and contexts, to paraphrase Lawrence Sipe (1999)” (Graff). Banned and challenged books allow readers to see the truth--from the past, future, or present--written by the author. Readers can apply these ideas to real-life situations successfully. In the article, On Reading and Sharing Banned Books, the topic of “...heightened sensitivity about what and how we say things,” and needing, “ongoing conversations about how literature can be part of our lives without undue stress and controversy” is exposed (Graff). Books are written for many reasons, to inform persuade, entertain, and relax; however, with books censorship, finding relaxing or entertaining books is extremely difficult. Without censorship, readers could easily discuss these now controversial topics without worry. The purpose of the book, good moral, and potentially

Censorship throughout history is accurately portrayed in Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury. From the politicians of today and their attempts to censor the media, to the censorship of the past by foreign countries, the actions of the “Firemen” in Bradbury’s novel Fahrenheit 451 are similar in method. It shows how encouraging censorship can lead to the loss of other freedoms. Examples of this censorship include banning of literature, banning of the internet, and no freedom.

This is the most dangerous part about the government’s censorship in this book is that it works so well and has been around so long that nobody remembers

The story has successfully applied fiction to show people how oppressive the government is through the process of censorship. It hinders the both originality and liberty of its people. The story’s central idea is that there is a popular fiction that illustrates how the society has successfully installed order at the cost of people’s rights and freedom. Furthermore, the book expresses how risky it is for the government or society to outlaw books just because they provide ideas,

This relates to the themacitc idea because it shows us the purpose for the governent to censor it.

In Ray Bradbury’s Fahrenheit 451, Faber explains to Guy Montag “If you hide your ignorance, no one will hit you and you'll never learn.” Like Faber, the people of the Republic of Turkey have determined that the free speech limitations set in place by their country are harshly punishable if broken, especially those who publish their work on the internet. Studying data for journalism crime statistics, it is evident how ruthless journalistic prosecution can be. More importantly, Journalism without Walls affirms that two hundred and thirty-two Turkish journalistic arrests and prosecutions took place in 2012 alone, and another two hundred and eleven occurred in 2013. Fahrenheit 451 tells tales of firemen censoring the world

Kiley Strong uses the second paragraph to explain more of the process and history of book banning in the United States. In order to set up her arguments in the rest of her paper. Explaining that if a book is “banned” in the United Stated it can’t be sold due to content. Giving the light that books have been banned for anything from racism to antidemocratic sentiments. Ending the paragraph saying that the censorship to the classic literature is in her words “laughable”.

The intention could be to incite violence or speak too much evil about states or individuals. In other parts of the world, people spent their lives in jail after their literature works (Cahill, 7). Most of these were books about governments that were dictatorial. If a country changes its constitution to provide more freedom, writers find the opportunity to come out of jail and talk about their experiences. Most of these are advancements in freedom of speech and expressions and strict observance of defamation

Censorship amounts prohibition of expression of someone’s ideas, thoughts which may be detrimental and prejudicial to a particular class of people. The book Fahrenheit 451, by Ray Bradbury, revolves around the idea of censorship as a bane to the society and culture. The book touches on various consequences of censorship like social isolation and infringement of thoughts. Bradbury has given an accurate representation of the society leading to an end as censorship proceeds to prohibit literature. Literature is power and censorship is suppressing it. Suppressing

“A word to the unwise. Torch every book. Char every page. Burn every word to ash. Ideas are incombustible. And therein lies your real fear.” Ellen Hopkins. The government in this society is burning all of the knowledge. The books may be burnt but ideas and your imagination are unretrievable, that can be passed down through generations. The government has the real fear. Censorship is bad and takes away from your imagination and creativity.

On the other hand, some people argue that book censorship is a violation of their constitutional right to freedom of speech, and the right to self expression. One article puts its effects this way, “Permitting restraints on literature sets the stage for attacks on all expression that is artistically or politically controversial or that portray unpleasant realities of life.” This,

In Argentina around 1974 it became a political turmoil and oppression; a fascist dictatorship, a system of government in which a leader suppresses opposition through violent means, now ruled Argentina. The citizens had no control and the government used threats of censorship and physical harm to ensure no overthrew the government. The short story “The Censors” by Luisa Valenzuela demonstrates how Juan tried to reclaim back his freedom to speech, but ends up being executed for censoring his own letter. Juan censored his own letter to his loved one, Mariana. But because he was so engulfed and immersed in his job, he practically was brainwashed and forgot about his letter. Valenzuela writes in her story, “He knows that all letters pass from hand to hand and go through all sorts of tests in the huge censorships offices and that in the end , very few continue on their way. Usually it takes months, even years if there any snags: all this time the freedom maybe even the life, of both the sender and receiver is in jeopardy” (89) Juan and other Argentinean citizens do not feel safe about writing a letter because of the threat the government placed about censoring letters. Even though they know nothing is wrong with the letter, the fear of getting in trouble worries and stresses them. Individually, Juan tries to somehow gain back that little freedom to send Mariana his letter. This is Juan’s way of demanding for freedom of speech and in doing so, he even applied to become a censor. Juan applied so that he could pass his own letter on without any worries of getting in trouble from misinterpretation. Being afraid of his freedom in jeopardy and even his life made him act. Despite Juan getting the job, his act to regain back his freedom had some negative effects. The author writes,” Soon his work became so absorbing to him that his noble mission blurred in his mind” (91) Juan's noble mission was

Today, censorship is in place in more ways than you can imagine. As mentioned previously, movies, music, television, and more are filtered one way or another. Some people go to such lengths as illegal means of spreading materials deemed inappropriate for a certain viewing audience.