The Spot Where the Soul Thoughts are Spoken and Feeling Out Loud, Your Space
The Power of the Written Word
"Restriction of free thought and free speech is the most dangerous of all subversions. It is the one un-American act that could most easily defeat us."—Supreme Court Justice William O. Douglas," The One Un-American Act." Nieman Reports, vol. 7, no. 1 (Jan. 1953): p. 20.
Readers and writers alike have always known that well-written books can transport the individual to different times and places. But, how many of us truly understand the deep healing power of the words in these fictional narratives? How many of us have stopped to think what our lives would be like, what we, ourselves, would be like, if we had not been exposed to certain works of literature. How many of us, readers and writers, alike, understand the awesome power of the written word?
That psychologists, social workers, nurses, and educators understand the power of the written word is evidenced in their use of a counseling tool known as bibliotherapy. Bibliotherapy is just what the name implies: therapy-utilizing books. Now, bibliotherapy is not a new technique. It has been practiced in the United States since the 1930s. Back then, it was nothing more than an old library science concept that was used to help returning WWII soldiers in their recuperation process. The concept, which has widened over time, is now used to help people cope with a vast array of emotional issues to include personal growth and development and problem resolution.
The therapeutic model utilizing bibliotherapy works best with fiction. Non-fiction genres work best in the promotion of cognitive changes. So, how does a fictional narrative promote psychological growth and development? The answer to that question lies in the narrative itself. Certain narratives immerse the reader into different cultures; others immerse the reader into alternative lifestyles and beliefs. This exposure tends to enhance personal insight. It helps the reader appreciate other cultures, lifestyles, and viewpoints; and, in so doing, also helps him/her to develop a greater appreciation of his/her own ethnic/cultural identity.
Some narratives deal with the darker societal issues that plaque us: addiction, spousal and child abuse, rape, incest, etc. Using a fictional work to discuss these topics allows the individual to distance him/herself from the issue, thereby, displacing the problem that he/she is dealing with onto the characters. It also helps the individual to see that he/she is not the only person going through these things. Many times, it helps him/her see that there can be many solutions to any given problem, thereby, helping him/her to come to some sort of decision about his/her own problem.
So, you might ask, what does all of this have to do with me? I’m fine. I don’t need bibliotherapy, or any therapy for that matter.
When I read about the concept of bibliotherapy, I began to think about the literary canon. These works, taught in all college English and literature classes, expose the student to a wide array of differing cultural and lifestyle viewpoints. They are presented to the student from a literary as well as a historical perspective. This is important as no literary work is created in a vacuum. In my opinion, these great works of literature, promote social development. Like bibliotherapy, these works of literature help readers to understand not only themselves but also the complex world in which they live. These great works of literature help the reader to see, and hopefully understand, the complexity of human behaviors and thoughts.
The problem, as I see it, is that too many people today are trying to stifle the literary genius of some of today’s most prolific writers. Why? Well, to put it quite simply, some individuals want the world to look the way their little group believes it should look. They believe they have been given a divine mandate to ensure that the society in which they live mirrors the image their master’s have imprinted on their small brainwashed minds. These individuals spend their days looking for words or thoughts that go against their group think mentality. When they find an infraction, they scream “BAN THE BOOK! FOR THE SAKE OF SOCIETY, BAN THE BOOK!”
If we stand idly by and let these book banners have their way, we will no longer have a diversified literary canon. No, we will have a literary canon that reflects their personal belief system. This is something we cannot allow. We need books that will stretch us, books that make us uncomfortable, books that make us look at the world in a different way. The literary canon needs to be expanded, not contracted. Our libraries and schools need to be places of higher learning, not bastions of political and religious correctness. I may not like what a writer has to say, but I can guarantee you that I will fight to the death for his/her right to say it—and for the reader’s right to read it.
Psychologists, nurses, social workers, educators, and librarians, just to name a few, understand and utilize the power of the written word, but they’re not the only ones. Religious fanatics, social conservatives, liberal democrats, marketers, the media—on and on, ad nauseam—also understand and utilize this power. Think about it. Then read the following lists taken from the American Library Association’s web page.
The "10 Most Challenged Books of 2007" reflect a range of themes, and consist of the following titles:
1. “And Tango Makes Three,” by Justin Richardson/Peter Parnell
Reasons: Anti-Ethnic, Sexism, Homosexuality, Anti-Family, Religious Viewpoint, Unsuited to Age Group
2. “The Chocolate War,” by Robert Cormier
Reasons: Sexually Explicit, Offensive Language, Violence
3. “Olive’s Ocean,” by Kevin Henkes
Reasons: Sexually Explicit, Offensive Language
4. “The Golden Compass,” by Philip Pullman
Reasons: Religious Viewpoint
5. “The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn,” by Mark Twain
Reasons: Racism
6. “The Color Purple,” by Alice Walker
Reasons: Homosexuality, Sexually Explicit, Offensive Language,
7. “TTYL,” by Lauren Myracle
Reasons: Sexually Explicit, Offensive Language, Unsuited to Age Group
8. “I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings,” by Maya Angelou
Reasons: Sexually Explicit
9. “It’s Perfectly Normal,” by Robie Harris
Reasons: Sex Education, Sexually Explicit
10. “The Perks of Being A Wallflower,” by Stephen Chbosky
Reasons: Homosexuality, Sexually Explicit, Offensive Language, Unsuited to Age Group
The ALA's Top Ten Most Frequently Challenged Books of 2008 reflect a range of themes, and consist of the following titles:
1. "And Tango Makes Three," by Justin Richardson/Peter Parnell
Reasons: Anti-Ethnic, Anti-Family, Homosexuality, Religious Viewpoint, Unsuited to Age Group
2. "His Dark Materials Trilogy" (Series), Philip Pullman
Reasons: Political Viewpoint, Religious Viewpoint, Violence
3. "TTYL"; "TTFN"; "L8R, G8R" (Series), Lauren Myracle
Reasons: Offensive Language, Sexually Explicit, Unsuited to Age Group
4. "Scary Stories" (Series), Alvin Schwartz
Reasons: Occult/Satanism, Religious Viewpoint, Violence
5. "Bless Me, Ultima," by Rudolfo Anaya
Reasons: Occult/Satanism, Offensive Language, Religious Viewpoint, Sexually Explicit, Violence
6. "The Perks of Being A Wallflower," by Stephen Chbosky
Reasons: Drugs, Homosexuality, Nudity, Offensive Language, Sexually Explicit, Suicide, Unsuited to Age Group
7. "Gossip Girl" (Series), by Cecily von Ziegesar
Reasons: Offensive Language, Sexually Explicit, Unsuited to Age Group
8. "Uncle Bobby's Wedding," by Sarah S. Brannen
Reasons: Homosexuality, Unsuited to Age Group
9. "The Kite Runner," by Khaled Hosseini
Reasons: Offensive Language, Sexually Explicit, Unsuited to Age Group
10. "Flashcards of My Life," by Charise Mericle Harper
Reasons: Sexually Explicit, Unsuited to Age Group
Six titles were dropped from the list, including: "The Chocolate War," by Robert Cormier (challenged for sexually explicit content, offensive language and violence); "Olive's Ocean," by Kevin Henkes (for sexually explicit content and offensive language); "The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn," by Mark Twain (for racism); "The Color Purple," by Alice Walker (for homosexuality, sexually explicit content and offensive language); "I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings," by Maya Angelou (for sexually explicit content); and "It's Perfectly Normal," by Robie Harris (for sexually explicit content).
The top challenged books of the 21st Century include:
1. Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling
2. "The Chocolate War" by Robert Cormier
3. Alice series by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor
4. "Of Mice and Men" by John Steinbeck
5. "I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings" by Maya Angelou
6. "Fallen Angels" by Walter Dean Myers
7. "It's Perfectly Normal" by Robie Harris
8. Scary Stories series by Alvin Schwartz
9. Captain Underpants series by Dav Pilkey
10. "Forever" by Judy Blume.
Personally, I think we should ban stupidity not books. That would shut them up, now wouldn’t it?
Nuff Said.
© 2009 Phoenix Rising. All Rights Reserved.
Individuals may copy this post for noncommercial use without permission provided that this post is used in its entirety and carries the Phoenix Rising copyright notice and the following link back to this blog: www.phoenixrisingwriterscorner.blogspot.com.
Readers and writers alike have always known that well-written books can transport the individual to different times and places. But, how many of us truly understand the deep healing power of the words in these fictional narratives? How many of us have stopped to think what our lives would be like, what we, ourselves, would be like, if we had not been exposed to certain works of literature. How many of us, readers and writers, alike, understand the awesome power of the written word?
That psychologists, social workers, nurses, and educators understand the power of the written word is evidenced in their use of a counseling tool known as bibliotherapy. Bibliotherapy is just what the name implies: therapy-utilizing books. Now, bibliotherapy is not a new technique. It has been practiced in the United States since the 1930s. Back then, it was nothing more than an old library science concept that was used to help returning WWII soldiers in their recuperation process. The concept, which has widened over time, is now used to help people cope with a vast array of emotional issues to include personal growth and development and problem resolution.
The therapeutic model utilizing bibliotherapy works best with fiction. Non-fiction genres work best in the promotion of cognitive changes. So, how does a fictional narrative promote psychological growth and development? The answer to that question lies in the narrative itself. Certain narratives immerse the reader into different cultures; others immerse the reader into alternative lifestyles and beliefs. This exposure tends to enhance personal insight. It helps the reader appreciate other cultures, lifestyles, and viewpoints; and, in so doing, also helps him/her to develop a greater appreciation of his/her own ethnic/cultural identity.
Some narratives deal with the darker societal issues that plaque us: addiction, spousal and child abuse, rape, incest, etc. Using a fictional work to discuss these topics allows the individual to distance him/herself from the issue, thereby, displacing the problem that he/she is dealing with onto the characters. It also helps the individual to see that he/she is not the only person going through these things. Many times, it helps him/her see that there can be many solutions to any given problem, thereby, helping him/her to come to some sort of decision about his/her own problem.
So, you might ask, what does all of this have to do with me? I’m fine. I don’t need bibliotherapy, or any therapy for that matter.
When I read about the concept of bibliotherapy, I began to think about the literary canon. These works, taught in all college English and literature classes, expose the student to a wide array of differing cultural and lifestyle viewpoints. They are presented to the student from a literary as well as a historical perspective. This is important as no literary work is created in a vacuum. In my opinion, these great works of literature, promote social development. Like bibliotherapy, these works of literature help readers to understand not only themselves but also the complex world in which they live. These great works of literature help the reader to see, and hopefully understand, the complexity of human behaviors and thoughts.
The problem, as I see it, is that too many people today are trying to stifle the literary genius of some of today’s most prolific writers. Why? Well, to put it quite simply, some individuals want the world to look the way their little group believes it should look. They believe they have been given a divine mandate to ensure that the society in which they live mirrors the image their master’s have imprinted on their small brainwashed minds. These individuals spend their days looking for words or thoughts that go against their group think mentality. When they find an infraction, they scream “BAN THE BOOK! FOR THE SAKE OF SOCIETY, BAN THE BOOK!”
If we stand idly by and let these book banners have their way, we will no longer have a diversified literary canon. No, we will have a literary canon that reflects their personal belief system. This is something we cannot allow. We need books that will stretch us, books that make us uncomfortable, books that make us look at the world in a different way. The literary canon needs to be expanded, not contracted. Our libraries and schools need to be places of higher learning, not bastions of political and religious correctness. I may not like what a writer has to say, but I can guarantee you that I will fight to the death for his/her right to say it—and for the reader’s right to read it.
Psychologists, nurses, social workers, educators, and librarians, just to name a few, understand and utilize the power of the written word, but they’re not the only ones. Religious fanatics, social conservatives, liberal democrats, marketers, the media—on and on, ad nauseam—also understand and utilize this power. Think about it. Then read the following lists taken from the American Library Association’s web page.
The "10 Most Challenged Books of 2007" reflect a range of themes, and consist of the following titles:
1. “And Tango Makes Three,” by Justin Richardson/Peter Parnell
Reasons: Anti-Ethnic, Sexism, Homosexuality, Anti-Family, Religious Viewpoint, Unsuited to Age Group
2. “The Chocolate War,” by Robert Cormier
Reasons: Sexually Explicit, Offensive Language, Violence
3. “Olive’s Ocean,” by Kevin Henkes
Reasons: Sexually Explicit, Offensive Language
4. “The Golden Compass,” by Philip Pullman
Reasons: Religious Viewpoint
5. “The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn,” by Mark Twain
Reasons: Racism
6. “The Color Purple,” by Alice Walker
Reasons: Homosexuality, Sexually Explicit, Offensive Language,
7. “TTYL,” by Lauren Myracle
Reasons: Sexually Explicit, Offensive Language, Unsuited to Age Group
8. “I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings,” by Maya Angelou
Reasons: Sexually Explicit
9. “It’s Perfectly Normal,” by Robie Harris
Reasons: Sex Education, Sexually Explicit
10. “The Perks of Being A Wallflower,” by Stephen Chbosky
Reasons: Homosexuality, Sexually Explicit, Offensive Language, Unsuited to Age Group
The ALA's Top Ten Most Frequently Challenged Books of 2008 reflect a range of themes, and consist of the following titles:
1. "And Tango Makes Three," by Justin Richardson/Peter Parnell
Reasons: Anti-Ethnic, Anti-Family, Homosexuality, Religious Viewpoint, Unsuited to Age Group
2. "His Dark Materials Trilogy" (Series), Philip Pullman
Reasons: Political Viewpoint, Religious Viewpoint, Violence
3. "TTYL"; "TTFN"; "L8R, G8R" (Series), Lauren Myracle
Reasons: Offensive Language, Sexually Explicit, Unsuited to Age Group
4. "Scary Stories" (Series), Alvin Schwartz
Reasons: Occult/Satanism, Religious Viewpoint, Violence
5. "Bless Me, Ultima," by Rudolfo Anaya
Reasons: Occult/Satanism, Offensive Language, Religious Viewpoint, Sexually Explicit, Violence
6. "The Perks of Being A Wallflower," by Stephen Chbosky
Reasons: Drugs, Homosexuality, Nudity, Offensive Language, Sexually Explicit, Suicide, Unsuited to Age Group
7. "Gossip Girl" (Series), by Cecily von Ziegesar
Reasons: Offensive Language, Sexually Explicit, Unsuited to Age Group
8. "Uncle Bobby's Wedding," by Sarah S. Brannen
Reasons: Homosexuality, Unsuited to Age Group
9. "The Kite Runner," by Khaled Hosseini
Reasons: Offensive Language, Sexually Explicit, Unsuited to Age Group
10. "Flashcards of My Life," by Charise Mericle Harper
Reasons: Sexually Explicit, Unsuited to Age Group
Six titles were dropped from the list, including: "The Chocolate War," by Robert Cormier (challenged for sexually explicit content, offensive language and violence); "Olive's Ocean," by Kevin Henkes (for sexually explicit content and offensive language); "The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn," by Mark Twain (for racism); "The Color Purple," by Alice Walker (for homosexuality, sexually explicit content and offensive language); "I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings," by Maya Angelou (for sexually explicit content); and "It's Perfectly Normal," by Robie Harris (for sexually explicit content).
The top challenged books of the 21st Century include:
1. Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling
2. "The Chocolate War" by Robert Cormier
3. Alice series by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor
4. "Of Mice and Men" by John Steinbeck
5. "I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings" by Maya Angelou
6. "Fallen Angels" by Walter Dean Myers
7. "It's Perfectly Normal" by Robie Harris
8. Scary Stories series by Alvin Schwartz
9. Captain Underpants series by Dav Pilkey
10. "Forever" by Judy Blume.
Personally, I think we should ban stupidity not books. That would shut them up, now wouldn’t it?
Nuff Said.
© 2009 Phoenix Rising. All Rights Reserved.
Individuals may copy this post for noncommercial use without permission provided that this post is used in its entirety and carries the Phoenix Rising copyright notice and the following link back to this blog: www.phoenixrisingwriterscorner.blogspot.com.
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1 Comment
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Comment by Luz Aguirrebena on May 18, 2009 at 8:43pm - Fantastic article Phoenix!!! Yoiu are a genius!!! I am going to linkit to fb, like the previous one. I am working on our project. In the forum is the draft. I will keep you posted/ Love and Hugs my dear.
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