John Steinbeck
One of my professors mentioned that John Steinbeck (check out the National John Steinbeck Center to find out more about him) used to have one of the biggest FBI files (now declassified). My ears perked up when I heard this because it REEKS of censorship. I haven't read "The FBI Files on John Steinbeck" yet, but I'm adding it to my list. In 2003, Steinbeck's short novel "Of Mice and Men" was the third most frequently challenged book. According to the BBC's page entitled "Why books get banned-- or-- Free people read freely", Steinbeck's "The Grapes of Wrath":
"... has been one of the most vilified works since its publication in 1939. Burned at the St. Louis (Mo.) Public Library immediately after publication, it also was banned from the Buffalo (N.Y.) Public Library because of “vulgar words.” It was challenged in the Greenville (S.C.) schools because it used the names of God and Jesus “in a vain and profane manner” and was banned in Kern County (Calif.) where the story was set. It continues to be one of the most challenged books in schools and libraries. "
posted by Kira @ 1:05 AM
1 Comments:
I just want to say thanks to Mariah and Pollo for reading my blog and commenting on it.
Pollo, you sound like you love reading as much as I do. I remember reading novels for fun instead of paying attention to the teacher back in high school. I still do it in larger lecture classes in which I'm not learning anything (or anything new) but have to attend for roll-call purposes. I too think that censorship of Steinbeck is uncalled for, but isn't most censorship? For example, I have a hard time understanding how anyone can want to ban Harry Potter books. Yes, the book includes magic, but it's not real (I think most children who are old enough to read the Harry Potter books without adult assistance should be smart enough to realize that the book is fiction, but then again, based on my dealings with people I sometimes think that intelligence is seriously lacking in the majority of the population).
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