Banning Fahrenheit 451? (irony and discussion inside)

[MBS]

http://www.hcnonline.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=17270600&BRD=1574&PAG=461&dept_id=532215&rfi=6

The irony is delicious.

But, it brings up a valid point. Who is to say what books are to be read and taught in school? Many people don't like the fact that kids read "The Catcher in the Rye", although I read that book in 6th grade.

Books as non-insulting as Huck Finn have been banned from schools, and that's kind of ridiculous.

I think if parents looked past the actual content of books, and looked towards the plot, they would realize that banning Fahrenheit 451 is quite beyond the point of the book, and that the reason that Twain intersperses the N-word throughout Huck Finn is for satirical reasons.

Thoughts?

[Surtr]

You're right.

Now what? Are you willing to take on all those retarded parents?

[gregulus]

The guy's a moron and probably an absolute prude.

[Eliminator]

"It's just all kinds of filth," said Alton Verm, adding that he had not read "Fahrenheit 451." "The words don't need to be brought out in class. I want to get the book taken out of the class."

Right.

[PerpetualBurn]

If it's of real educational merit then the sensibilites of this moron should be entirely ignored for the benefit of the children.

That is all.

[Meatplow]

He looked through the book and found the following things wrong with the book: discussion of being drunk, smoking cigarettes, violence, "dirty talk," references to the Bible and using God's name in vain. He said the book's material goes against their religions beliefs. The Verms go to Grand Parkway Church in Porter.

These people are in for a very sheltered and unhappy life if they get offended by this.

[Eliminator]

There is drinking and violence in the Bible.

[The Stig]

But the Bible doesn't say bad words like **** and ****.

[Eliminator]

****.

[Surtr]

****, urrite.

Good ****ing call Paul.

He that **** just rhymed.

***.

[YouGottaBeCrazy]

i clearly remember one part of the bible where john called jesus a ****head.

[The Stig]

You must be from the second reformation of the Calvinst church of Hobbes.

[Mr. Ron]

The father is a complete ****-slap.

[Kurrpt]

...He said the book's material goes against their religions beliefs. The Verms go to Grand Parkway Church in Porter.

Am i led to believe this is some sort of private school?

[Mr. Ron]

Well I for one, am glad this brave parent has stood up against all this modern filth that is eroding our American way of life! Far too long have authors like Bradbury have been going along scribbling their disgusting sentences unchecked! How can we possibly be a united nation, standing against terrorism when such vial things as "dirty talk" and "cigarettes" are still gnawing away at lady liberty's bosom!?

[Eliminator]

Mr. Ron said "bosom". Please ban him.

[peeted]

I agree with most of whats already been said, but i would like to add that Ella Minow Pea, the alternative book, is absolutely fantastic, i would recommend it to any one. Thing is its about questioning religion and the state and features a character in many ways representative of a profit who is used and then found in the end to be a complete fake, which could very easily be interpreted as a strong secular or anti christian theme in the book so also probably wouldn't please this guy.

[Surtr]

I say we burn anyone who resists the burning of these books.

Who's with me?

<_<

>_>

[theosd]

Can't they ban his daughter for being hideous? That's far more insulting to anyone than a damn book which you can CHOOSE NOT TO READ or AT LEAST UNDERSTAND IN ITS HISTORICAL CONTEXT... damn american ****-wit parent...

[Kurrpt]

that's the thing...


when I was in HS, i think about 40% or less of the class actually completed books that were required. many just share notes, or buy the cliff notes

[Dr Hooch]

A book is a terrible thing to ban

[Surtr]

that's the thing...


when I was in HS, i think about 40% or less of the class actually completed books that were required. many just share notes, or buy the cliff notes

Exactly.

I'd say easily more than half of my English class last year didn't even read Catcher In The Rye.

[Det_Nosnip]

At least they're not BURNING the books.

...yet.

[Surtr]

At least they're not BURNING the books.

...yet.

This.

[-1up!-]

That father is moronic.

Farenheit 451 is such a good school-level read. I loved it.

[Akira]

The thing is that at 15, you have already heard pretty much ever major curse word and probably use a fair share of them, and if parents are too stupid to see that then they are awful parents.
And yes, the irony of banning 451 is delicious, though banning the book is nothing new.

[StrangeVision]

The guy is just pissed off that his daughter is fugly, so he's trying to draw attention to the book and away from the ugliness.

[Der Übermensch]

Well personally I think Tropic of Cancer should be a standard book for English class... but I have a feeling the PTA wouldn't appreciate it :(

[TheDarkHorse]

understandable, though i dont see it that way.

I saw a movie about banned books. When a woman didn't want her daughter reading huck finn, the school sent her to the library for alternate reading assignment. The mom then pushed for it to be banned for everyone.

I think offense is a personal thing, and if it personally offends someone, they shouldnt be forced to read it. However, let the other students choose for themselves.

[PerpetualBurn]

and if it personally offends someone, they shouldnt be forced to read it.

Yeah, they should be allowed to fail the class instead.

[italic zero]

can i be offended by my psychology textbook

'cuz it's pretty dumb

[Knifeboy]

Man, I love Fahrenheit 451.. Great book
Good to know that if someone tried to ban it here, people would laugh in their face

[132WalrusesInMexico]

Ah gosh... I hate people like this who try to get something banned because it offends them. Like someone already said, taking offense to something varies on a personal level, so not everyone is offended by the same things. Anyways, the students have already been exposed to the dirty language and cigarettes. Come on, they're in High School.

[Akira]

Yeah, they should be allowed to fail the class instead.

This.

[Mr. Ron]

I've read this book like, 3 times and the use of tobacco products in it is only mentioned in passing....and I don't recall Montag or any other character using expletives deyond "damn".

[Reaganista]

fahrenheit 451 should be banned because it sucks


I think if parents looked past the actual content of books, and looked towards the plot,
what

[YouGottaBeCrazy]

fahrenheit 451 should be banned because it sucks

Your opinion is wrong.

[Reaganista]

that's not an opinion

[blockhead]

No book banning or censorship. Being exposed to vulgarity and sexual content helps children realize how the world really is. Children don't need to be sheltered so much, being exposed to things helps a person mature.

[YDload]

I think offense is a personal thing, and if it personally offends someone, they shouldnt be forced to read it.

no that's exactly why they should read it. being offended by things is no excuse to forever remain ignorant of them

[blockhead]

no that's exactly why they should read it. being offended by things is no excuse to forever remain ignorant of them

I agree, being offended helps you define your own beliefs and morals.

[YouGottaBeCrazy]

that's not an opinion

of course it is, and it's wrong

[Reaganista]

no it's not

[YouGottaBeCrazy]

good argument college kid

[Reaganista]

that wasn't an argument
lol moron doesn't even know what an argument is

[Mr. Ron]

Hey guys! Stop it! Just stop it!





stop!






!

[TheDarkHorse]

Yeah, they should be allowed to fail the class instead.

um, no they are just given alternate reading assignments.

This hasn't been a problem in the past.
no that's exactly why they should read it. being offended by things is no excuse to forever remain ignorant of them
maybe they would rather be informed by parents than having a book tell them.

[Reaganista]

ya but JD salinger is a genius
their parents are idiots

[DiesIrae]

He most likley has a collection of literature that spans from Better Homes Magazine to Sports Illustrated (but not the swimsuit edition, since they aren't full body). Let this man lead the way to educate our kids about how America is supposed to be! CHRISTIAN.

[YDload]

maybe they would rather be informed by parents than having a book tell them.

sure they would RATHER be informed, but their parents are probably retarded. kids learn things from their parents like how to be racist and drink

[DiesIrae]

sure they would RATHER be informed, but their parents are probably retarded. kids learn things from their parents like how to be racist and drink

I learned how to make a pinewood derby car from my dad....

[YouGottaBeCrazy]

that wasn't an argument
lol moron doesn't even know what an argument is

that was sarcasm
lol moron doesn't even know what sarcasm is

[DiesIrae]

that was sarcasm
lol moron doesn't even know what sarcasm is

zing!

[Danger Bird]

If you judge a book by something as shallow as the amount of profanity in it, you obviously don't understand literature and you shouldn't have a say in how it's taught.

I agree with most of whats already been said, but i would like to add that Ella Minow Pea, the alternative book, is absolutely fantastic, i would recommend it to any one. Thing is its about questioning religion and the state and features a character in many ways representative of a profit who is used and then found in the end to be a complete fake, which could very easily be interpreted as a strong secular or anti christian theme in the book so also probably wouldn't please this guy.

He wouldn't understand it, he's happy as long as the author doesn't do something as ridiculously offensive as use the word "damn"

[DiesIrae]

You know "The Great Gatsby" is next on the list, that mother ****er Fitzgerald included adultery, murder AND drinking in his classic. Burn it now.

[Danger Bird]

Hey, I'm reading that now! It's pretty good so far. I'm only like chapter 4 though.

[Scuba_Steve]

I looked at the picture and figured the chick beside him was his wife.


/retch.


But when I read that he hasnt actually read the book himself, thats when I decided his weak points were totally worthless.

[DiesIrae]

Hey, I'm reading that now! It's pretty good so far. I'm only like chapter 4 though.

Sorry! It is a book that makes you think deep though, I will never forget reading it.

[Mr. Ron]

Hey, I'm reading that now! It's pretty good so far. I'm only like chapter 4 though.

It never really interested me. I LOVED "and then there were none". It was on my summer reading list years ago.

[bleep_bloop]

jesus things like this are why i hate americans. if you dont like a book, tought **** dont read it just dont impose yourself onto my ability to read it.

[YDload]

Thanks for your intelligent comment on Americans, because you figured out that that guy speaks for all of us, and we all agree with him, and what he suggests is going to be implemented in schools across the nation.

I can tell you like to read because if this thread is any indication, you're really good at it!

[Mr. Ron]

jesus things like this are why i hate americans. if you dont like a book, tought **** dont read it just dont impose yourself onto my ability to read it.

I don't think this has to do with nationality.

[bleep_bloop]

ok i was wrong. rather i hate people like those who want to ban the book

[Mr. Ron]

ok.

[Reaganista]

jesus things like this are why i hate americans. if you dont like a book, tought **** dont read it just dont impose yourself onto my ability to read it.
posts like this are why i hate non-americans

[Knifeboy]

It never really interested me. I LOVED "and then there were none". It was on my summer reading list years ago.

I remember being the only kid in my school who actually bothered to read that book...
Excellent read

[Akira]

um, no they are just given alternate reading assignments.

This hasn't been a problem in the past.

maybe they would rather be informed by parents than having a book tell them.

Yeah, a 15 year old was definitely offended by some language in a book she probably didn't read.

Next you're going to tell me that chick who's dad made a big deal out of "under God" in the pledge being offensive was actually offended by the pledge.


This is just a case of a redneck parent using their kid as an excuse for his own ignorance.

[planewreck]

Hey guys, the new Harry Potter uses the word bitch in it and that's supposed to be a children's book. He should tear down the library. >:|

[Mr. Ron]

I remember being the only kid in my school who actually bothered to read that book...
Excellent read

Yeah, it had me guessing all the way to the end. Not a lot of books can do that effectively.

[lunchforthesky]

Nothing makes me happier to not live in the south and not even America than stuff like this. All this concerned parents crap is so annoying. The idiot hasn't even read the book the retard.

[WhoDidTheElf]

People need to stop being so ****ing sensitive. You cuss, your kid cusses, she's 15 or w/e and has no doubt heard all of those words before any ways.

[Yield]

Can't they ban his daughter for being hideous? That's far more insulting to anyone than a damn book which you can CHOOSE NOT TO READ or AT LEAST UNDERSTAND IN ITS HISTORICAL CONTEXT... damn american ****-wit parent...

Holy ****! What is that disgusting thing?

Book banning will likely last go on forever as long as we live in a society like this where idiots thrive.

People need to stop being so ****ing sensitive. You cuss, your kid cusses, she's 15 or w/e and has no doubt heard all of those words before any ways.

No, you see, she goes to the Grand Parkway Church in Porter, so she's special.

[CatfishJones]

this guy needs to be less focused on language in a book, and more focused on the fact that his daughter is a whale.

[WhoDidTheElf]

No, you see, she goes to the Grand Parkway Church in Porter, so she's special.

Oh, in that case, **** special people.

And their hyper sensitivity.

[TheDarkHorse]

Thanks for your intelligent comment on Americans, because you figured out that that guy speaks for all of us, and we all agree with him, and what he suggests is going to be implemented in schools across the nation.

I can tell you like to read because if this thread is any indication, you're really good at it!

This coming from someone who just made the generalization "Their parents are probably retarded!!"

[Cocaine]

We read this in my Banned Literature course, how fitting.. The book was apparently less about censorship than it was society being dumbed down, so it's not really that ironic.

[Akira]

Since the guy have never read the book, and is reacting to some language without any knowledge of the book's plot, I am pretty sure that it being about society being dumbed now still makes it ironic. :p

[Cocaine]

I'm not going to lie I only read the thread title.

Read the thing now, that's pretty sad.

[encmetalhead]

First, i just want to state that we read this book my 10th grade year. No one was offended by the language. Second it was the best book we read that year, and it was just a great book to be taught. Also, how can one girl say everyone was offended? Where's the other students in the class saying they were offended? She's just trying to get the book away from the classroom so she doesn't have to read it. In conclusion, read this book and not this article.

[Knifeboy]

This thread is making me want to read the book again

[encmetalhead]

Amen to that, what's the other book the author wrote?

[Cocaine]

Other book? He's written a lot. Read "The Veldt", really awesome short story.

[YDload]

the only book that i was supposed to read for school and didnt was The Old Man and the Sea. it wasn't something the whole class read together, just for a book report where everyone chose a different novel. i still feel kinda bad about that but now i've discovered how cool Hemingway is and can appreciate his books on my own time.

oh and in middle school there were a lot of books in our reading class that none of us ever finished because they were so long, archaic, or just plain boring (Great Expectations, Watership Down, Wuthering Heights)

[StrangeVision]

this guy needs to be less focused on language in a book, and more focused on the fact that his daughter is a whale.

She's not a whale at all...










she is the queen of the Sea Cows.

[WhoDidTheElf]

She's not a whale at all...










he is the king of the Sea Cows.

fixed'

[Danger Bird]

First, i just want to state that we read this book my 10th grade year. No one was offended by the language. Second it was the best book we read that year, and it was just a great book to be taught. Also, how can one girl say everyone was offended? Where's the other students in the class saying they were offended? She's just trying to get the book away from the classroom so she doesn't have to read it. In conclusion, read this book and not this article.

There's actually a comment below the article from somebody claiming to go to her school and was not offended at all.
the only book that i was supposed to read for school and didnt was The Old Man and the Sea. it wasn't something the whole class read together, just for a book report where everyone chose a different novel. i still feel kinda bad about that but now i've discovered how cool Hemingway is and can appreciate his books on my own time.
The Old Man and the Sea is just awesome.

Watership Down
I HATE Watership Down.:angry:

[spitfirejunky]

If it's of real educational merit then the sensibilites of this moron should be entirely ignored for the benefit of the children.

That is all.

Winnar.

[StrangeVision]

fixed'

Given the southern nature of their family, they are the King AND Queen of the Sea Cows.

[MBS]

Other book? He's written a lot. Read "The Veldt", really awesome short story.

Ahh, that short story is so good! Such a crazy twist ending, I had to reread it a couple of times before I was like "...Wooaahhh. :amaze:"

Edit: The Old Man and the Sea is just awesome.


Anything that Hemingway wrote is just awesome.

[reggaejunkie001]

Read this book as well as Huck Finn for high school... There is no reason for either of them to be banned.

[Cocaine]

Huck Finn has an N bomb, that's the only reason it's banned.

[Dr Hooch]

We read "Of mice and men" and that's got a few Ns in it. It was never seen as a big deal.

[encmetalhead]

last year, 11th grade, we read tom sawyer =) i skiped a lot of the middle cause he had t read like 20 chapters in 3 ro 4 days but i guessed the best i could of the quiz so i didn't miss much it was a good book. (droped n-bombs also =| )

[Danger Bird]

Lord all mighty, what are they using gangsta rap in the classroom? I haven't read Tom Sawyer, or any other books for that matter (except The Bible, of course) but we need to remove every work of Mark Train from school libraries and burn them right along with our Beatles records.

[Mr. Ron]

I just don't understand the type of mentality with people like this guy. People NEED to read controversial literature. Not that this book is even controversial.

[pedro durruti]

I just don't understand the type of mentality with people like this guy.
Psychosexual issues

[Give me Beer]

My mom gave me this book to read when I was about 13:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/My_Uncle_Oswald

Don't be fooled by the fact that the author is Roald Dahl. :D

Actually, my mom has a knack for recommending and giving me books that contain explicit sex scenes, drugs use & a lot of profanity. Like this one: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Elementary_Particles (I read it in French, which makes it even more dirty for some reason).

Same thing with movies... last Christmas we (as a family) watched La Mala Educación (Bad Education) by Almodóvar ...

So basically, don't shelter your kids ... I read some f'cked up **** when I was a kid and it didn't affect me in a negative way at all, I would say rather positive in fact, since great literature is often quite shocking...

[CarnageFairy]

Oh **** that, I love that book.

And who gets offended because of profanity, furreal? I mean I might have to start covering my ankles in public.

[Mr. Ron]

Everyone read The October country. Excellent book.

[Knifeboy]

My mom gave me this book to read when I was about 13:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/My_Uncle_Oswald

Don't be fooled by the fact that the author is Roald Dahl. :D



Plot summary

Oswald discovers the world's most powerful aphrodisiac and with the aid of a female accomplice uses it to seduce the world's most famous men, then sells their semen to women wishing to be impregnated by them.

.. omg

[Mr. Ron]

Are you serious? :^p

[ringworm]

I just don't understand the type of mentality with people like this guy. People NEED to read controversial literature. Not that this book is even controversial.
i know, its perplexes me

they should give examples of "preachers daughter's" to anyone interested in suppressing material to young ones so they see how being sheltered & censored affects their children when they finally make their own desicions

[Loser]

oh and in middle school there were a lot of books in our reading class that none of us ever finished because they were so long, archaic, or just plain boring (Great Expectations, Watership Down, Wuthering Heights)

They made you read Watership down in middle school? That was the longest piece of boring that I've ever read.

[YDload]

it was a gifted reading class, i figure i didnt have to mention it cause we're all nerds here right?? this IS a book thread

[Mr. Ron]

Wuthering Heights is such a suicide inducing read, I wanted to plunge a pair of rusty scissors into my wrists when reading it. Incredibly boring.

[encmetalhead]

it was a gifted reading class, i figure i didnt have to mention it cause we're all nerds here right?? this IS a book thread

Best Post itt :smash:

[Reaganista]

Ahh, that short story is so good! Such a crazy twist ending, I had to reread it a couple of times before I was like "...Wooaahhh.
really

[TheDarkHorse]

Yeah, a 15 year old was definitely offended by some language in a book she probably didn't read.

actually she did read it and stopped after she saw the n word

People need to stop being so ****ing sensitive. You cuss, your kid cusses, she's 15 or w/e and has no doubt heard all of those words before any ways.
perhaps its we that need not to be so harsh with language.

Either way I understand how its used in literature, not necessarily in everyday language.

[Danger Bird]

They made you read Watership down in middle school? That was the longest piece of boring that I've ever read.

A-****ing-men.

[Mr. Ron]

actually she did read it and stopped after she saw the n word


perhaps its we that need not to be so harsh with language.

Either way I understand how its used in literature, not necessarily in everyday language.

I don't understand why that would stop her.

[MattyBlade]

I think what he's trying to convey is that if the kids aren't allowed to say those words in school then material that has those words in it should not be available for children. OR, he's trying to say that swearing should be allowed in school because **** those cocksuckers anyhow.

[Hedgedive]

*SPOILERS*









Clarisse dies :'(








*END SPOILERS*

[MattyBlade]

I don't understand why that would stop her.

:lol: I know, eh. She's white.

My dad gets mad offended as well when the word is said...I'm always like "WTF dad you're not even black stop being so offended"
then he usually gets even more mad :/