Censorship In Alice Walker's The Color Purple

Not every censorship/ban book is that controversial no matter how many inappropriate issues are in there. That’s why Judy Blume, who is well known for being one of the most censored writers in America, has many of her books banned due to inappropriate content. In the essay, “The Censorship: A personal Review,” Judy Blume gave a much clear approach on how she felt when her books were censorship for controversial things for young adults and children. She even includes her personal experience when dealing with censorship in her early and adult life.

When most people hear of book banning, they think of libraries across the country clearing their shelves of books thought of to be taboo or problematic. While that once was a problem in the United States, book banning has taken a tactical, less obvious form of censorship and it is mostly in schools. It’s not a stranger to anyone that middle and high schools have required reading lists that name several books students will have to read for the academic school year. The books can range from anything, [research and look up book names here], and are often stock packed with various themes, lessons, and messages. However, plenty of parents feel [look at article to see the support of book banning] that certain ideas should not be taught to their children, especially when the ideas conflict with their personal beliefs and interests. Plenty of parents have succeeded in removing these subjectively distasteful books from their children’s school’s shelves and reading lists but concerns about what book banning actually does to the students who aren’t allowed to read them have arisen. Paul Ringer, author of “How Banning Books Marginalizes Children," states that, “When we say, ‘This book is inappropriate,’ we’re telling those children ‘your situation … your family … your life is inappropriate.” Banning books sends the wrong message to those who share experiences with the topic of the book and shelters the themes from students who may need them. While parental concerns and opinions about

Today, many books are often challenged or banned in the education system. Books often get banned for a variety of reasons such as vulgar language, sexual references, racism, etc. Lord of the Flies by William Golding is often banned by school systems for various reasons. The banning of books keeps certain ages of people from reading content too mature for their age, but it also limits the teaching material of educators. Often, novels, such as Lord of the Flies, are banned from schools unrightfully as they have a very meaningful theme that adolescents should learn.

Although it has been considered a classic literature by several readers, the novel still remains in the top list of the banned books. The novel’s profanity, racial content, and its references to rape have provoked many readers to challenge the novel and lead to its removal from school classrooms and libraries.

“Having the freedom to read and the freedom to choose is one of the best gifts my parents ever gave me,” Judy Blume. The issue is there are both pros and cons upon banning and challenging books. Some people may be all for it and believe their children should not be exposed to realism that comes from books ‘trying to protect them.’ What ever happened to the freedom of speech? Books are constantly challenged or even banned.

Banned Books Week has been during the last week of September, dating back to 1982 (Glencoe Public Library). There have been multiple banned or challenged books around the world. For example, To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee has been banned by a public school in Mississippi because it makes people feel uncomfortable while reading. In addition, people celebrate Banned Books Week in libraries or special events. Some books are banned in schools and libraries because they contain uncomfortable topics or offensive language; however, some people believe banned books are worth reading because they incorporate life lessons that students can learn from.

Censorship is defined as “when a person of group successfully imposes their values upon other by stifling words, images or ideas” (Gould 2009). When we think of censorship, we think of the bleeping out of words on television and the radio. Sometimes we censor ourselves in conversation around small children or in a professional environment. However, most people do not think about the censorship of literature. A famous example is when Hitler would collect piles of books and burn them because they did not match the ideals of his regime. Today, there is an all-too-common problem surrounding the censorship of children’s literature. The American Library Association (ALA) states, “parents challenge books more than any other group” (Szymanski 2007).

Notably, Celie commences in a mentor/mentee relationship with Shug Avery, which begins Celie 's transformation into an independent woman. Long before Celie actually met Shug in person, she possessed a photo of Shug and carried it with her at all times. When Shug Avery finally arrived at Mr. _____’s house, Celie was shocked that a woman could be so beautiful. On the other hand, Shug did not think the same. Shug, a rebellious singer who does not care what others think, thought Celie was ugly and did not want anything to do with her; even though, Celie is forced to wait on her hand and foot. Overtime,

What is something that every single person in the world cherishes? What is something that people long for? The Color Purple by Alice Walker stretches the answer to that question with a series of letters between two sisters that spans forty years. A story of women joined together by love and hardship, The Color Purple depicts the value of family. But ever since it has been published, the book has gained a reputation for being inappropriate, and not suitable for schools. The Color Purple by Alice Walker should be kept in school libraries because it conveys the importance of family, shows examples of overcoming hardship and discusses serious topics such as rape and death. The Color Purple is an inspiring, beautiful, and powerful read for teens.

Imagine coming home to a family that has to use a dictionary in order to speak. A family so worried, that they quit their jobs, in order to lessen the chance o accidentally slipping and saying a censored letter. Mark Dunn wrote a novel to explore how people would react when being censored, and the results caused a considerable amount of consternation in people. Censorship on language caused people to have lipograms forced on to their tongues, these rules brought out the worst of people, and even the government wasn't able to conform to these silly rules.

May I ask why? Why are you trying to censor a classic novel? Is it because you feel as though you are ‘protecting’ your child? Is it because you’re on board with whatever the first mom says? Have you ever read Lord of the Flies? Also, do you think it’s the school’s job to raise your children?

For example, Celie becomes socially, economically and spiritually free, she sins love, dignity, and respect. This paper has analyzed how the characters in The Color Purple arouse their self-consciousness, through sisterhood and encouragement, love and help from their partners. The author demonstrates how the characters escape degradation caused by mistreatment by men and finally win dignity. The paper recognizes that Celie utilizes sisterhood to gain liberation, sexual identity independence, and freedom.

The Color Purple (1982) by Alice Walker (b. 1944) is a novel of celebration of black women who challenge the unjust authorities and emerge beyond the yoke of forced identities. It is situated in Georgia, America, in 1909 and written entirely in the epistolary form, mainly by Celie, the main protagonist and her sister, Nettie. Walker exposes the patriarchy that condones male domination of women. The novel is about the trials and tribulations faced by a black woman under colonialism and black male oppression and her journey to attain knowledge, identity and freedom.

The domination of men over women is often characterized by physical and psychological victimization of women and enhancement of their misery. This male domination is not limited to any particular region or particular period but it is globalised problem of all the times. Many women writers enter the literary scene to motivate women and fight against male domination. Walker is one among these sort of writers. Alice walker in her novels portrays the world view of women and their worthy roles, as mother, sister, daughter, wife and beloved. She leaves the message that the valuable bond between men and women is possible only through the choice of freedom, desire and respect for each other’s individuality. She also believes the dominance of male is not good for any society. The present paper shows this view of the Alice Walker with a focus on the novel ‘The Color Purple.’

　　　The Color Purple is a novel written by an American author Alice Walker and was published in 1982. It won numerous awards in literature and film as it had many musical, film and radio adaptations, particularly the 1983 Pulitzer Prize for Fiction and the National Book Award for Fiction. It primarily involves the subject of feminism and addresses issues in sexism and racism in the early 20th century in the United States. The story is all about a girl named Celie, a black woman who lives in the Southern part of US. It tells about how Celie’s life became a very hard one because she had undergone severe maltreatment, abuse and sorrows which started on her adolescent years until her married life. This essay will tackle the subject of feminism inspired from the story of Celie and how she was able to transform herself from a weak and vulnerable girl into a brave and self-sufficient woman who could prove her abilities to cope life’s struggle and became aware with her equal rights in the society.