Should Grapes of Wrath be taught in school?

Tar-Elendil · 02-04-2003, 09:55 PM

I've heard many people say that this book should be banned from all schools. This is ,in my opinion, not only a sensational book, but something that young adults should read to learn more about that time period and the things the citizens of the lower class had to deal with and go through. What do you think, should this book be taught in schools or no?

Mirahzi · 02-05-2003, 01:00 AM

My class read this book last semester, and frankly I agree with you wholeheartedly. It's the "great American novel," and is not only compelling literature, but also an excellent teaching tool.

I wonder; who would suggest such an idea as to ban Grapes of Wrath?

FrodoFriend · 02-05-2003, 09:41 AM

What's supposed to be offensive about The Grapes of Wrath? I've read it, and not only is it sensational, it seems generally benign. No withcraft or bad language or anything... How extreme do you have to be to protest against this?

Tar-Elendil · 02-05-2003, 10:20 AM

The school board in my parish (county) was debating whether the grapes of wrath should be banned from the schools in this area. They didnt want it taught because of the language, the violence, and the depiction of the American government in a bad light. Those are all rather stupid reasons, i know. High school students would be reading this anyway, and im sure most of them would be mature enough to read this book.

Hasty Ent · 02-05-2003, 01:18 PM

Nothing, but nothing, terrifies me more than the banning of books... This is not a practice of only one group or government, but of many nations and faiths. It is not just a shameful part of the past, but continues to cast a shadow on our present.

Here are some sites that have more information on this reprehensible practice.

Read a banned book today!!!

http://www.ala.org/bbooks/

http://onlinebooks.library.upenn.edu/banned-books.html

http://www-mitpress.mit.edu/bookstore/banned.html

XRogue · 02-05-2003, 08:58 PM

Banning Grapes of Wrath because it's anti-government? Heh, that is about as stupid as banning Huck Finn because it's racist. Anyone who reads Huck Finn can easily tell that it satirizes racism with only a modicum of thought. Grapes of Wrath does the same thing with the US government, and if the government cannot stand a little satire, that is too bad.

sun-star · 02-06-2003, 04:00 PM

The Grapes of Wrath should definitely be taught in schools. How can you expect students to read anything critically when they grow up if you never let them exercise their critical faculties for themselves, and always keep them wrapped in cotton-wool?

Tar-Elendil · 02-06-2003, 09:44 PM

today i heard something also about banning grapes of wrath.. one of the school board members said the ending was "pornographic and not suitable for teenagers." These people are ridiculous eh

cee2lee2 · 02-08-2003, 01:26 AM

I remember reading The Grapes of Wrath in high school and being very moved by the ending. Pornographic, it is NOT. I even remember talking with my mother about the ending because I thought it was very powerful. I think we have a problem in our culture (U.S., and perhaps elsewhere) of oversexualizing things. And then in some quarters it is taken as pornographic.

Although every book is not suitable reading for every person, banning books/ideas is just wrong. I used to have a sweatshirt that listed many of the books that have been banned by various schools/communities. The Grapes of Wrath was on the list. Unfortunately I wore out the sweatshirt.

Finmandos12 · 02-10-2003, 10:27 PM

Grapes of Wrath should be taught in all schools during the nap time course. If anyone can't fall asleep, just make them read this book and they'll be in dreamland!

Amandil · 02-28-2003, 04:06 AM

I didn't read the Grapes of Wrath in school, but I'm glad the hottest girl I knew then did. She got to tell me about the part where some woman fed some starving man her own breastmilk. I sure enjoyed being related that fact by that person. Other than that, I don't give a damn about the Grapes of Wrath or not.

...ahhh, the memories...

galadriel · 02-28-2003, 04:34 PM

Pornographic? Sheesh... in my school, we've read a lot of books that are a *lot* more graphic than The Grapes of Wrath. Violence is the one that really gets me, though. Shall we stop reading Shakespeare and Homer as well?

Tar-Elendil · 03-01-2003, 02:45 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Amandil
I didn't read the Grapes of Wrath in school, but I'm glad the hottest girl I knew then did. She got to tell me about the part where some woman fed some starving man her own breastmilk. I sure enjoyed being related that fact by that person. Other than that, I don't give a damn about the Grapes of Wrath or not.

...ahhh, the memories...

amandil.. this is a serious topic.. why did you even choose to post these trivial remarks on this thread?

Amandil · 03-01-2003, 05:01 AM

Because they are my serious opinion. I really don't care about the Grapes or Wrath or not. The only concern I could muster was that having the Grapes of Wrath in my school (although not in my particular English class) was that it allowed for a memorable conversation with a beautiful woman. Sorry if that's not serious enough for you.

Tar-Elendil · 03-03-2003, 11:37 AM

*shakes head*
idiot

Starr Polish · 03-03-2003, 11:50 PM

I can't say I've read it, but I can say I've read thirty some banned books. YAY!

Anyway...Of Mice and Men caused a stir in my school last year, actually because of one of my friend's father.

Ornelírë Mistë · 04-02-2003, 10:31 PM

Of course it should be taught. I do not believe in cencorship of mild graphic content. It adds realism, which is essential; without some of the content of the book it would not be the same. Most of us are all mature enough to handle graphic incidences. Censoring it is like cencoring a part of life that still exists. I did not read the complete book; I lost it. Alas!

wahine · 04-04-2003, 10:33 PM

Well--this isn't about the book, but it's about the movie and the period, and you have to listen.

When the movie was made, it was showed in Russia. The Grapes of Wrath was supposed to depict poor Okie's trying to get out of the dust bowl. The Russian government...using it as propaganda pointed its finger and said "Look what terrible things democracy has done to them!". Russians laughed at us, and at the officials because at America's poorest and worst times, we still had cars, we were able to get jobs, we were able to do what we aspired to do, and the Russians couldn't do any of it.

That's my two cents...

Ninquelote · 04-05-2003, 10:22 AM

I read the book, I thought it was kind of strange, but not enough to be banned!

02-04-2003, 09:55 PM	#1
Tar-Elendil Númenorean Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Louisiana Posts: 1,050	Should Grapes of Wrath be taught in school? I've heard many people say that this book should be banned from all schools. This is ,in my opinion, not only a sensational book, but something that young adults should read to learn more about that time period and the things the citizens of the lower class had to deal with and go through. What do you think, should this book be taught in schools or no? __________________ Why can we not be sober..

02-05-2003, 01:00 AM	#2
Mirahzi Elf Lord Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Seattle, WA Posts: 1,286	My class read this book last semester, and frankly I agree with you wholeheartedly. It's the "great American novel," and is not only compelling literature, but also an excellent teaching tool. I wonder; who would suggest such an idea as to ban Grapes of Wrath? __________________ "For the less even as for the greater there is some deed that he may accomplish but once only; and in that deed his heart shall rest." - Fëanor

02-05-2003, 09:41 AM	#3
FrodoFriend Halfwitted Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Eryn Vorn Posts: 1,659	What's supposed to be offensive about The Grapes of Wrath? I've read it, and not only is it sensational, it seems generally benign. No withcraft or bad language or anything... How extreme do you have to be to protest against this? __________________ Fingolfin lives! ... in my finger! The Crossroads of Arda - Warning. Halfwit content. Not appropriate for people with IQ of over 18. The Fellowship of the Message Board Nyáréonié - The Tale of Tears

02-05-2003, 10:20 AM	#4
Tar-Elendil Númenorean Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Louisiana Posts: 1,050	The school board in my parish (county) was debating whether the grapes of wrath should be banned from the schools in this area. They didnt want it taught because of the language, the violence, and the depiction of the American government in a bad light. Those are all rather stupid reasons, i know. High school students would be reading this anyway, and im sure most of them would be mature enough to read this book. __________________ Why can we not be sober..

02-05-2003, 01:18 PM	#5
Hasty Ent Elf Lord Join Date: Aug 2002 Posts: 516	Nothing, but nothing, terrifies me more than the banning of books... This is not a practice of only one group or government, but of many nations and faiths. It is not just a shameful part of the past, but continues to cast a shadow on our present. Here are some sites that have more information on this reprehensible practice. Read a banned book today!!! http://www.ala.org/bbooks/ http://onlinebooks.library.upenn.edu/banned-books.html http://www-mitpress.mit.edu/bookstore/banned.html __________________ Patriotism is your conviction that this country is superior to all other countries because you were born in it. George Bernard Shaw (1856 - 1950)

02-05-2003, 08:58 PM	#6
XRogue Elven Warrior Join Date: May 2000 Location: D/FW Texas, USA Posts: 345	Banning Grapes of Wrath because it's anti-government? Heh, that is about as stupid as banning Huck Finn because it's racist. Anyone who reads Huck Finn can easily tell that it satirizes racism with only a modicum of thought. Grapes of Wrath does the same thing with the US government, and if the government cannot stand a little satire, that is too bad. __________________ Farewell wherever you fare, till your Eyries recieve you at the journey's end.

02-06-2003, 04:00 PM	#7
sun-star Lady of Letters Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Either Oxford or Kent, England Posts: 2,476	The Grapes of Wrath should definitely be taught in schools. How can you expect students to read anything critically when they grow up if you never let them exercise their critical faculties for themselves, and always keep them wrapped in cotton-wool? __________________ And all the time the waves, the waves, the waves Chase, intersect and flatten on the sand As they have done for centuries, as they will For centuries to come, when not a soul Is left to picnic on the blazing rocks, When England is not England, when mankind Has blown himself to pieces. Still the sea, Consolingly disastrous, will return While the strange starfish, hugely magnified, Waits in the jewelled basin of a pool.

02-06-2003, 09:44 PM	#8
Tar-Elendil Númenorean Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Louisiana Posts: 1,050	today i heard something also about banning grapes of wrath.. one of the school board members said the ending was "pornographic and not suitable for teenagers." These people are ridiculous eh __________________ Why can we not be sober..

02-08-2003, 01:26 AM	#9
cee2lee2 Elf Lord Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: 2nd star to the left..... Posts: 566	I remember reading The Grapes of Wrath in high school and being very moved by the ending. Pornographic, it is NOT. I even remember talking with my mother about the ending because I thought it was very powerful. I think we have a problem in our culture (U.S., and perhaps elsewhere) of oversexualizing things. And then in some quarters it is taken as pornographic. Although every book is not suitable reading for every person, banning books/ideas is just wrong. I used to have a sweatshirt that listed many of the books that have been banned by various schools/communities. The Grapes of Wrath was on the list. Unfortunately I wore out the sweatshirt.

02-10-2003, 10:27 PM	#10
Finmandos12 Elven Warrior Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Tampa Posts: 327	Grapes of Wrath should be taught in all schools during the nap time course. If anyone can't fall asleep, just make them read this book and they'll be in dreamland! __________________ The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it.

02-28-2003, 04:06 AM	#11
Amandil Guy-who-should-come-here-more-often Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Alberta, in spirit -- Vlaanderen, in body (Canada? Never heard of it!) Posts: 120	I didn't read the Grapes of Wrath in school, but I'm glad the hottest girl I knew then did. She got to tell me about the part where some woman fed some starving man her own breastmilk. I sure enjoyed being related that fact by that person. Other than that, I don't give a damn about the Grapes of Wrath or not. ...ahhh, the memories... __________________ Amandil Mithadan "Why would you want to tamper with anything Tolkien did?" --Ralph Bashki "Seeking self, I find nothing but myself, but in this I drink the cup of gall I really am. I want everything, and I may have everything, but I have nothing except what I have. What I have I know is not what will fulfill me, and I know this in the bitterness of satisfied desire. Everything I have is still not enough, and in getting everything I have, I have not myself, indeed what I have may have twisted what I am and might be into an image of my own possessions. I will to possess, but I end up possessed by what I possess." -- William Desmond (Ethics and the Between, p. 209-210)

02-28-2003, 04:34 PM	#12
galadriel Elven Warrior Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: a castle made of clouds Posts: 459	Pornographic? Sheesh... in my school, we've read a lot of books that are a lot more graphic than The Grapes of Wrath. Violence is the one that really gets me, though. Shall we stop reading Shakespeare and Homer as well? __________________ Human kind cannot bear very much reality. dreamflower - for all things Lady Galadriel

03-01-2003, 05:01 AM	#14
Amandil Guy-who-should-come-here-more-often Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Alberta, in spirit -- Vlaanderen, in body (Canada? Never heard of it!) Posts: 120	Because they are my serious opinion. I really don't care about the Grapes or Wrath or not. The only concern I could muster was that having the Grapes of Wrath in my school (although not in my particular English class) was that it allowed for a memorable conversation with a beautiful woman. Sorry if that's not serious enough for you. __________________ Amandil Mithadan "Why would you want to tamper with anything Tolkien did?" --Ralph Bashki "Seeking self, I find nothing but myself, but in this I drink the cup of gall I really am. I want everything, and I may have everything, but I have nothing except what I have. What I have I know is not what will fulfill me, and I know this in the bitterness of satisfied desire. Everything I have is still not enough, and in getting everything I have, I have not myself, indeed what I have may have twisted what I am and might be into an image of my own possessions. I will to possess, but I end up possessed by what I possess." -- William Desmond (Ethics and the Between, p. 209-210)

03-03-2003, 11:37 AM	#15
Tar-Elendil Númenorean Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Louisiana Posts: 1,050	shakes head idiot __________________ Why can we not be sober..

03-03-2003, 11:50 PM	#16
Starr Polish Elf Lord Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Slow down and I sail on the river, slow down and I walk to the hill Posts: 2,389	I can't say I've read it, but I can say I've read thirty some banned books. YAY! Anyway...Of Mice and Men caused a stir in my school last year, actually because of one of my friend's father. __________________ “The whole problem with the world is that fools and fanatics are always so certain of themselves, but wiser people so full of doubts.” –Bertrand Russell

04-02-2003, 10:31 PM	#17
Ornelírë Mistë Elven Warrior Join Date: Apr 2003 Posts: 482	Of course it should be taught. I do not believe in cencorship of mild graphic content. It adds realism, which is essential; without some of the content of the book it would not be the same. Most of us are all mature enough to handle graphic incidences. Censoring it is like cencoring a part of life that still exists. I did not read the complete book; I lost it. Alas!

04-04-2003, 10:33 PM	#18
wahine The Original Amazonian Coconut Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Answering no questions, telling no lies. Posts: 753	Well--this isn't about the book, but it's about the movie and the period, and you have to listen. When the movie was made, it was showed in Russia. The Grapes of Wrath was supposed to depict poor Okie's trying to get out of the dust bowl. The Russian government...using it as propaganda pointed its finger and said "Look what terrible things democracy has done to them!". Russians laughed at us, and at the officials because at America's poorest and worst times, we still had cars, we were able to get jobs, we were able to do what we aspired to do, and the Russians couldn't do any of it. That's my two cents... __________________ Hem, hem

04-05-2003, 10:22 AM	#19
Ninquelote Elven Warrior Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Here. For the time being. Posts: 336	I read the book, I thought it was kind of strange, but not enough to be banned! __________________ XIAN- for hating Wiccans. MURDERER- for hating vegetarians. PREP- for hating Goths. These are a few of my favourite things, the hypocritical stylings of the most "liberal" groups.

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