Banned Books: Memoir of the Craft by Stephen King

769 Words2 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: Why censorship is needed for schools

Famous author Stephen King said in his book On Writing: a Memoir of the Craft that “ Every book you pick up has its life lessons, and quite often the bad books have more to teach than the good ones” (King 145), but unfortunately not everyone agrees. In today's world, people are becoming more and more easily offended by simple things like the subjects in classic literature, for example To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee, and are even trying to ban it in a classroom setting. However, To Kill a Mockingbird should continue to be taught in schools because it positively affects society by changing the way people think about the world, through a very historically accurate setting, and by teaching its readers valuable lessons. By providing a precise example of the times it is set in, To Kill a Mockingbird effects the readers opinions on today's society making them think of ways to better it. For example, in the novel, Lee describes what life in Maycomb, a southern town in Alabama, was like during the 1930's: “ a day was twenty-four hours long but seemed longer. There was no hurry, for there was no where to go, nothing to buy, and no money to buy it with...” ( Lee 6). People have a hard time imagining what life in a big depression was like, and this provides them with a description that not only helps the reader think about living during those times but broadens their knowledge about the history in general. This new insight helps them to see how far today's society has come and how many obstacles mankind has faced and overcome on their journey to today. In addition, Catherine Bernard explains through her book, Understanding To Kill A Mockingbird, that: “ While Lee's novel is set in the 1930's, the themes of discrimination and toleranc... ... middle of paper ... ... to be in schools. The way To Kill A Mockingbird makes readers reexamine their views on society and the lessons it teaches are indispensable to students today. Books are some of the greatest teachers a person can be exposed to and can be very effective on young lives and even the world. So to better the people of society and society itself, books should remain on the shelves. Works Cited Bernard, Catherine. Understanding To Kill A Mockingbird. Farmington Hills: Lucent Books, 2003. Print. Durbin, Kathy. “Books Under Fire.” Teaching Tolerance. N.p, Spring 2005. Web. 05 May 2014. King, Stephen. On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft. New York: Scribner, 2000. Print. Lee, Harper. To Kill A Mockingbird. New York. Harper Collins, 1960. Print. Toughill, Kelly. “ Maybe Its Right to Kill Mockingbird.” Toronto Star (11 May 2002): H 02. EBSCO Host. Web. 6 May 2014.

Show More
Related

  • How Themes Affect the Characters in Harper Lee's To Kill a Mockingbird

    877 Words  | 2 Pages

    “To Kill a Mockingbird” is a novel by Harper Lee in which she describes life of a small community in a tiny Southern town around the time of the Great Depression. This novel highlights the many problems and good things about society in that time period, and these characteristics are shown through the actions of the characters of this community that Lee has made. There are themes that can be made to represent these ideas, and three major ones that are notable and exemplary would be racism, innocence, and bravery. These themes are noteworthy because they greatly affect characters in the novel and there are many things that are brought to light about ideas revolving around them. At times, what seems to be one thing related to a theme might change through a character’s actions, which might change the meaning of that theme from the reader’s perspective.

    Read More

  • Teaching about Prejudice through To Kill a Mockingbird

    666 Words  | 2 Pages

    Why should To Kill a Mockingbird be published? One good reason is because To Kill a Mockingbird is a great read about the human dignity that connects people of all sorts. It helps students realize that life was not exactly fair in the 1930s. The lack of humane behavior is shocking and will arouse some students, plus increase their knowledge of history in the 1930s by way of telling the story through a child’s perspective.

    Read More

  • Teaching To Kill a Mockingbird, by Harper Lee

    1491 Words  | 3 Pages

    To Kill a Mockingbird is a novel written by Harper lee in 1960. The novel tells the story of Atticus Finch, a white lawyer, and Tom Robinson, a black servant, accused of raping a white female. Finch defends Robinson in court arguing lack of evidence as his main point. However, the judge and jury still believe the woman’s testimony and orders Robinson to be killed. The novel has been praised for its outstanding literature since its publication. However, it remains a banned book by the American Library Association for its use of racial slurs and profanity. Due to it being banned, many high schools have reconsidered the notion of teaching it to their students. Two prominent authors wrote articles pertaining to this piece of literature: Angela Shaw-Thornburg wrote an article on her re-reading of the novel and her opinions on it; while Malcom Gladwell wrote an article comparing Atticus Finch to a state governor liberalist, James Folsom, and the restraints of liberalism in the south. In addition, Rebecca Best contributes her thought on how the novel should be taught by introducing the idea of “the other.” Regardless of the modern day political arguments surrounding this piece of literature, this novel contains a large insight into the time period of the 1960s which is an influential topic that should be taught to young high school students.

    Read More

  • Similarities Between A Sound Of Thunder And To Kill A Mockingbird

    1082 Words  | 3 Pages

    Most people have read a book in school. Most people typically don’t like those books; Even so, the books that are read in school teach things that are valuable and relevant throughout life. An example of a distinguishable school book would be “To Kill a Mockingbird” by Harper Lee it is a book that has a recognizable name, but due to people associating it with school can sometimes be dreaded or overlooked. Likewise, “A Sound of Thunder” by Ray Bradbury is not as popular as “To Kill a Mockingbird”, but most people would recognize the author Ray Bradbury as the author of “Fahrenheit 451” and turn away from reading it. “To Kill a Mockingbird” is centered around Atticus Finch, a Caucasian lawyer, defending Tom Robinson, an African American who has

    Read More

  • Examples Of Prejudice In To Kill A Mockingbird

    856 Words  | 2 Pages

    Reading old books is boring and not fun because mainly everything in the book is outdated. However, sometimes you come across a book that is like wine; the older it is the better it is. This books are typically considered to be classics and their themes usually hit many generations of readers. Harper Lee’s novel To Kill a Mockingbird is one of those classics that brings out many themes such as horrible effects of prejudice and the pursuit of surviving which are still relevant in today’s world.

    Read More

  • Examples Of Social Differences In To Kill A Mockingbird

    1185 Words  | 3 Pages

    In Harper Lee’s To Kill A Mockingbird, she is very good at capturing the facts of the “southern depression”. The actions taken reflect the southern experience perfectly. From the innocence to the experience of Scout, to the bravery of Atticus. Social Differences were very present in the 30’s when this novel was based and the prejudice shown to these people was depicted beautifully by Harper Lee.

    Read More

  • Examples Of Judgement In To Kill A Mockingbird

    923 Words  | 2 Pages

    Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird is a beautiful and well-written novel teaching the reader the difference between right and wrong through various characters. Harper Less shows how characters developed, twisted plot change but society’s harsh judgement was the by far the greatest theme. Maycomb County judges citizens by racism, society’s norms and class division. There was great use of theme, setting and characterization in the novel. Harper Lee uses detailed narrative conventions to shape Maycomb’s society’s judgemental nature in To Kill a Mockingbird.

    Read More

  • To Kill A Mockingbird Banned

    460 Words  | 1 Pages

    Schools should not ban Harper Lee’s To Kill A Mockingbird because it teaches readers valuable morals as well as acts as an accurate example of life in the 1930s. “You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view… until you climb into his skin and walk around in it” (Lee PAGE #). When Atticus says this to Scout after she has trouble judging others, it has much more of an effect than just to teach Scout a lesson. This quote addresses all types of discrimination in the world and how people should never judge others without knowing their story first. Renditions of this quote appear constantly throughout the work, so therefore Harper Lee aims to open readers eyes to the reality

    Read More

  • Theme Of The Great Depression In To Kill A Mockingbird

    894 Words  | 2 Pages

    “The worst thing about that kind of prejudice… is that while you feel hurt and angry and all the rest of it, it feeds you self-doubt. You start thinking, perhaps I am not good enough”(Nina Simone). In the novel To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee the characters Scout, Jem, and Atticus grew up in a town called Maycomb. The great depression was going on at this time. Jem, Scout, and Atticus dealt with a trial that causes racism to cause a really big problem. This affects everyone in Maycomb. The novel To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee uses characterization and conflict to present the the theme that as a society racism and prejudice needs to be overcome.

    Read More

  • To Kill A Mockingbird Persuasive Speech

    243 Words  | 1 Pages

    Do you ever feel uncomfortable or embarrassed while reading aloud with your class? Many students and parents do not approve of some of the material that the English department desires to teach. Although they most definitely should, sadly , they have no choice. A novel that has started an endless amount of controversy over the years is To Kill a Mockingbird. I am going to prove to you that To Kill a Mockingbird is not a novel that should be taught in schools because it contains triggering discuss of rape, repeadetly states the n-word, and delivers gender roles.

    Read More

  • To Kill A Mockingbird Critical Language Essay

    1373 Words  | 3 Pages

    In addition to providing students with the necessary skills required to enter the workforce, educational institutions also have the responsibility of equipping students with adequate social skills so that they can function effectively in society and contribute towards social change. The study of literature helps to achieve these goals, by creating critical language users, promoting empathy, and generating awareness towards social issues. It would therefore, be exceedingly advantageous for senior English students if Harper Lee’s novel, To Kill a Mockingbird is included in the English Curriculum, as it possesses these qualities and addresses issues still relevant to senior students today. A thorough understanding of the novel’s aesthetic features,

    Read More

  • Education In To Kill A Mockingbird

    1161 Words  | 3 Pages

    To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee is a classic. This book should still be taught for reasons such as; it teaches students about social inequality, education back then, perspective, and racism. This book touches so many big themes that matter in life or did at some point.

    Read More

  • Lessons Learned In To Kill A Mockingbird

    576 Words  | 2 Pages

    There are lessons in books that make the story interesting and there are lessons in books that can completely change the way the world is viewed. The characters in this book share how they were influenced by society, which teaches us as readers, lessons. In To Kill A Mockingbird, Scout, Atticus, and Tom learn that people should never judge someone without getting to know them through the people in Maycomb treating other races unequally. First, Scout learns that rumors are not always true.

    Read More

  • Getting Kids Excited About Reading Literature

    772 Words  | 2 Pages

    middle of paper ... ... To Kill a Mockingbird may not work as a novel to get students excited about reading in every class, in every school. However, the tools to educate are not exclusive to specific novels, or for that matter, English literature. Helping students connect, understand, and apply the themes, concepts and ideas they are confronted with in the classroom is a priority that should be number one among all teachers, of every subject.

    Read More

  • What Makes a Classic?

    1065 Words  | 3 Pages

    The idea a classic novel introduces should be able to be understood on a universal level, regardless of the period and circumstances in which the work was written. The idea that is being presented in the work should be able to be applicable to any type of situation. To Kill a Mockingbird is a considered a classic of modern American Literature, but its message is understood and taught on an international level. It teaches the vice of racial prejudice and that morality can triumph over evil. The use of a child narrator with a grown woman’s wisdom appeals to many, making it a treasure to millions of people worldwide. Peac...

    Read More

More about Banned Books: Memoir of the Craft by Stephen King

Open Document