Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury:
A story set in the not-too-distant future where books are illegal and firemen do nothing but burn books all day long. The society is hedonistic and anti-intellectual. Violence and immorality abound. This book has been challenged, banned and removed from school reading lists because of it's portrayal of immoral behavior and political undertones.  |
| aroundthebend213.wordpress.com |
Animal Farm by George Orwell
: The author wrote a preface denouncing the British for their self-imposed censorship. The government didn't need to intercede, the public was so averse to "unpleasantries" that they simply wouldn't be printed. This preface in almost never printed.In addition, the preface was written during a period of frustration when Orwell could not find a publisher. Why couldn't he find a publisher, you might ask? Well, you see, this book appears to be anti-communism, and as such denounces the government of the U.S.S.R. The U.S.S.R was an ally of Britain in defeating the Nazis, and it was considered dangerous to speak ill of them during the WWII and post-WWII era.
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| ahafilm.info |
1984 by George Orwell:
One of the major themes of this book is censorship. The Ministry of Truth doctors everything before the public see it and controls all the information given to the public. The book is often challenged and removed from reading lists on the grounds that it contains dangerous political themes. |
| apfn.org |
A Clockwork Orange by Anthony Burgess:
The novel, while being violent and sexually charged, deals with themes of government intrusion and manipulation. It comes as no surprise that most challenges to this novel are based on the violent and sexual nature of the novel. The irony is this: the novel originally had a happy ending. The main character saw the error of his ways, parted with the gang of criminals he hung around with and moved on with his life. American publishers fought to cut that chapter, leaving the character slumped on a very bleak and depressing ending.Now, I want to be clear. I have not read A Clockwork Orange, nor have I seen the film. Such strong violence and sexual content is not really what I'm after in movies or literature. But, WHY would a publisher cut out the redemptive chapter? The part where the character learns his lesson and repents? If you're for free speech, then you are for free speech, am I right? (The movie was based on the American version of the novel- sans the last chapter)
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| fandomania.com |
For more information about challenged and banned books, please visit the American Library Association. For more information about Banned Books Week, please visit BannedBooksWeek.org.
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| Think for yourself and let others do the same- ALA |
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