Controversial literature (Library of Congress Subject Headings)
It has been suggested that this article be merged into censorship. (Discuss) Proposed since February 2007. |
Controversial Literature is any written work that has been challenged or banned. Through out history religious, historical, scientific text and stories have caused controversy in a society due to a conflict of morals beliefs and politics. They have been challenged by politicians and special interest groups with an agenda. In the United States woks of literature are not banned by the Federal government because they are protected by the 1st Amendment. However they are removed from schools and libraries because by State government because of peruse form interest groups. Countries in Europe don’t necessarily ban books because of free speech laws with the exception with nations with anti-Nazi laws in such as Germany.
Why Controversial
There are reasons why certain works of literature have became controversial. It has gain the controversy when it was published first or many years later because of poltical changes in the time. Their are several reasons why a work of liture becomes controversial.
- Racsim - Recently elements or content of racism has become common among controversial literature. This type of controversy comes up when a work of literature potrays a certain ethnic group in a derogatory war or for the use of ethnic sluers. Recently certain works that were writin to critize the Jim Crow Laws have came under attack for using the word "Nigger".
- Religous - Religon has been a key factor in controversial literature. Works that have contain blasphemy have creat controversy among religous groups. Many works have been banned or dystoyed for passgaes that cotain elements of blasphemy towards God or a symbolic figure in a faith. Other works have contained content that is offinsive to a certain faith.
- Sexual Conten - Works containing sexual content have always caused controversy, espcially in the United States. Many cultures are not open about sexuality and is never allowed to be talked about open. In certain works the sexual content involves minors which many see offensive. Sometimes the sexual content may be a character sexuality and it causes an uproar towards anti-homosexuals.
- Inaccuracy - Historical and biographical works cause controversy. This happens when certain elements are edited or fabricated.
- Politics - Works of liture about poltics have caused controversy when the work has critisied a goverment or politician. Other times it could be critising a poltical action or goverment law.
List of Controversial literature
This is a list of literature that has been challenged or banned. It inculeds novels, short stories, historical, and religous text.
#
Title | Author | Type of Literature | Reason |
---|---|---|---|
The 9/11 Commission Report | National Commission on Terrorist Attacks Upon the United States | Senate Report | Criticized for alleged inaccuracies and for having important details edited out due to the pressure from lobbyists. [1] |
The 95 Theses | Martin Luther | Document | Pope Leo X condemned it for heresy against the Catholic Church and had Martin Luther excommunicated. |
A
Title | Author | Type of Literature | Reason |
---|---|---|---|
The Adventures of Captain Underpants | Dav Pilkey | Novella | Banned in schools because of the use of toilet humor. |
The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn | Mark Twain | Novel | Challenged and banned in schools for the use of the word "Nigger" [2] |
The Adventures of Tom Sawyer | Mark Twain | Novel | Challenged and banned in schools for the use of the word "Nigger" |
The Age of Reason | Thomas Paine | Philosophical Treaties | Banned in UK for blasphemy in the 18th Century |
All Quiet on the Western Front | Erich Maria Remarque | Anti-war Novel | Banned in Nazi Germany for demoralizing and insulting the Wehrmacht. |
America (The Book) | The Daily Show with Jon Stewart | Humor | Removed from Walmart due to images of nudity. [3] |
An Inconvenient Truth | Al Gore | Environmental Treaties | Opponents of the global warming criticized it as propaganda. Schools have limited the use of the book in classrooms. |
The Anarchist Cookbook | William Powell | Guide Book | Banned outside of the US because security reasons. Sale of the book is prohibited to any one under 21. |
Animal Farm | George Orwell | Novella | Publication delayed in UK because of anti-Stalin theme. Confiscated in Germany by Allied troops. Banned in Malaysia for religious reasons. |
Are You There, God? It's Me, Margaret | Judy Blume | Novel | Banned in schools for its sexual and religious themes. |
The Autobiography of Malcolm X | Alex Haley | Biography | Challenged by the Nation of Islam for historical inaccuracy. |
B
Title | Author | Type of Literature | Reason |
---|---|---|---|
Bible | Religious Text | Has been edited over time. Banned in Communist countries that support Atheism. Banned in Saudi Arabia for not being of the Muslim faith. [4] | |
Biko | Donald Woods | Biography | Banned in South Africa for its criticism of the apartheid system and white government. |
Black Beauty | Anna Sewell | Novel | Was banned in South Africa because of the use of the word 'black' in the title.[5] |
The Blue Lotus | Hergé | Graphic Novel | Banned in the PRC for its pro Kuomintang view and support. Criticized by Japanese diplomats to the Belgian Foreign Ministry for its portrayal of Japan's involvement in China. |
The Book of One Thousand and One Nights | Collection | Banned in Muslim countries for its depiction of strong women. | |
Brave New World | Aldous Huxley | Novel | Challenged in schools because of its negative views. |
Bridge to Terabithia | Katherine Paterson | Novel | Challenged in schools because of death involved in the theme and the use of the word Lord outside of a prayer. |
C
Title | Author | Type of Literature | Reason |
---|---|---|---|
The Call of Cthulhu | H.P. Lovecraft | Short Story | Elements of racism towards Southeast Asians. [6] |
The Call of the Wild | Jack London | Novella | Banned in schools for its dark theme and violent imagery. |
Carrie | Stephen King | Novel | Banned in schools for depicting the death of teens and fundamentalism. |
Catch-22 | Joseph Heller | Novel | Challenged in schools for its sexual content and violent imagery. |
The Catcher in the Rye | J. D. Salinger | Novel | Reasons for banning have been the use of offensive language, premarital sex, alcohol abuse, and prostitution. [7] |
Civil Disobedience | Henry David Thoreau | Essay | Removed from libraries during McCarthyism. Banned in South Africa |
A Clockwork Orange | Anthony Burgess | Novel | Challenged for its depiction of rape and violence by a pre-teen. |
The Communist Manifesto | Karl Marx | Economic Treaties | Banned in anti-Communist countries and the US during the Red Scare. Challenged in libraries for political reasons. |
The Confessions of Nat Turner | William Styron | Historical Novel | Challenged by the NAACP for its sexual imagery of Nat Turner. |
D
Title | Author | Type of Literature | Reason |
---|---|---|---|
Daddy's Roommate | Michael Willhoite | Novella | Banned in schools. Challenged by fundamentalists for its positive view on homosexuality. |
The Diary of a Young Girl | Anne Frank | Diary | Challenged by Holocaust deniers of its historical accuracy. |
Doctor Zhivago | Boris Pasternak | Novel | Banned by the USSR for its criticism of the Bolsheviks Party. |
F
Title | Author | Type of Literature | Reason |
---|---|---|---|
Fahrenheit 451 | Ray Bradbury | Sci-Fi Novel | Banned in schools for political reason and depiction of violence. |
The Fellowship of the Ring | J. R. R. Tolkien | Fantasy Novel | Challenged by fundamentalists for its use of wizards and paganry. Also challenged by Atheists for its religious theme. |
Fight Club | Chuck Palahniuk | Novel | Challenged for its depiction of violence and presenting underground street fighting in a positive light. |
For Whom the Bell Tolls | Ernest Hemingway | Novel | Banned in Spain during Francisco rule for its pro-Republican views. |
G
Title | Author | Type of Literature | Reason |
---|---|---|---|
The Giver | Lois Lowry | Novel | Challenged over certain ethical issues. |
Go Ask Alice | Anonymous | Novel | Banned in schools for its drug content and authenticity. |
Gone with the Wind | Margaret Mitchell | Novel | Challenged by feminist groups and the NAACP for depicting the racism and rape in a positive view. |
The Grapes of Wrath | John Steinbeck | Novel | Banned in schools located in southern California because of political preasure from Associated Farmers. |
The Great Gatsby | F. Scott Fitzgerald | Novel | Challenged because of its adultrist theme. |
H
Title | Author | Type of Literature | Reason |
---|---|---|---|
Hamlet | William Shakespeare | Play | Challenged by fundamentalist for its content of incest and blasphemy. |
The Handmaid's Tale | Margaret Atwood | Novel | Challenged for its feminist theme and sexual content. |
Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone | J. K. Rowling | Novel | Challenged by fundamentalists for paganry and alleged support for witchcraft. |
Heart of Darkness | Joseph Conrad | Novella | Critisied by Chinua Achebe for its racist bias and negative depiction of Africans. [8] |
Heather Has Two Mommies | Lesléa Newman | Novel | Banned for its LGBT theme. |
Hells Angels | Hunter S. Thompson | Investigative Journalism | Criticized by feminist for its depiction of gang rape in a positive view. |
Helter Skelter | Vincent Bugliosi | True Crime | The factual accuracy has been questioned by Manson's followers and admirers. |
How to Talk Dirty and Influence People | Lenny Bruce | Autobiography | Challenged by fundamentalists for its encouragement to use profanity and obscurity. |
I
Title | Author | Type of Literature | Reason |
---|---|---|---|
I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings | Maya Angelou | Autobiography | Banned in schools for graphic explicit descriptions of rape and sexual content. |
If I Did It | O.J. Simpson | Canceled | Canceled due to public outcry and pressure from the Goldman family. [9] |
J
Title | Author | Type of Literature | Reason |
---|---|---|---|
James and the Giant Peach | Roald Dahl | Children's Novel | Challenged for its content of child abuse. |
The Jungle | Upton Sinclair | Novel | Edited before its release. Challenged by the meat industry. |
K
Title | Author | Type of Literature | Reason |
---|---|---|---|
The King Never Smiles | Paul M. Handley | Biography | Banned in Thailand for its criticism of King Bhumibol Adulyadej |
The Kingdom of God Is Within You | Leo Tolstoy | Religious Treaties | Banned in Czarist Russia for its Christian anarchist content. |
L
Title | Author | Type of Literature | Reason |
---|---|---|---|
Lady Chatterley's Lover | D. H. Lawrence | Novel | Temporarily banned in the United States and UK until it was overturned for violation of obscurity laws. Banned in Australia. |
The Last Battle | C. S. Lewis | Fantasy Novel | Challenged by Atheists for its religious theme. Challenged by Feminists for the actions of one character. |
A Light in the Attic | Shel Silverstein | Poetry Collection | Banned from libraries for encouraging children to misbehave. |
The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe | C. S. Lewis | Fantasy Novel | Criticized by Atheist for its religious theme. |
Live and Let Die | Ian Fleming | Spy Novel | Criticized for its racist depiction of African-Americans and Afro-Caribbean. Edited to remove the word "Nigger". |
Lolita | Vladimir Nabokov | Novel | Challenged for its content of pedophilia. |
M
Title | Author | Type of Literature | Reason |
---|---|---|---|
The Malay Dilemma | Mahathir bin Mohamad | Political ideology | Banned in Malaysia for its criticism of UMNO and the May 13th Incident. |
The Manchurian Candidate | Richard Condon | Political Novel | Banned in Communist states for political reason. Condemned by the American Legion. |
Mein Kampf | Adolf Hitler | Political ideology | Possession and sale is illegal in Germany and Austria due to anti-Nazi laws. |
N
Title | Author | Type of Literature | Reason |
---|---|---|---|
Nickel and Dimed | Barbara Ehrenreich | Investigative Journalism | Critizised for its lack of realism related to people paid minimum wage. |
Nineteen Eighty-Four | George Orwell | Sci-Fi Novel | Banned in the USSR for political reasons. Accused of anti-semitism. Challenged in Florida for pro communist and sexual theme. |
O
Title | Author | Type of Literature | Reason |
---|---|---|---|
Of Mice and Men | John Steinbeck | Novella | Challenged and banned in schools for the use of the word "Nigger". Accused of sexism and mistreatment of people with Down syndrome. |
One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich | Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn | Novel | Banned in the USSR for political reasons. Author was sent into exile. |
The Origin of Species | Charles Darwin | Biology Text | Banned in schools and challenged by fundamentalist for questioning Creation. See: Scopes Monkey Trial |
The Outsiders | S. E. Hinton | Novel | Challenged in schools for depiction of gangs and violence. |
P
Title | Author | Type of Literature | Reason |
---|---|---|---|
Palestine Peace Not Apartheid | Jimmy Carter | Political Science | Criticized by pro-Israeli groups claiming the book is anti-semetic and for the use of the word "Apartheid" |
The Pigman | Paul Zindel | Novel | Challenged in schools for sexual content and depicting teens drinking and smoking. |
Private Parts | Howard Stern | Autobiography | Criticized by fundamentalists and feminists for sexual content, use of profanity, and sexism. |
Q
Title | Author | Type of Literature | Reason |
---|---|---|---|
Quotations from Chairman Mao Zedong | Mao Zedong | Collection | Banned in South Vietnam and anti-Communist nations in Asia. |
Qur'an | Religious Text | Challenged by fundamentalist and anti-Islamic activists claiming that it promotes violence. Banned in Communist states that promote Atheism. |
R
Title | Author | Type of Literature | Reason |
---|---|---|---|
The Return of the King | J. R. R. Tolkien | Fantasy | Challenged by fundamentalists for its use of wizards and paganry. Also challenged by Atheists for its religious theme. |
Rights of Man | Thomas Paine | Political Treatise | Banned in the UK for supporting the French Revolution. Banned in Czarist Russia after the Decembrist revolt. |
Roots: The Saga of an American Family | Alex Haley | Fantasy | Accusations of plagiarism and historical inaccuracy. |
S
Title | Author | Type of Literature | Reason |
---|---|---|---|
The Satanic Verses | Salman Rushdie | Magic Realism | Banned in India and Muslim nations for blasphemy. Book stores refuse to sell it out of fear. Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini issued a fatwa calling for the death of Rushdie. |
Scary Stories | Alvin Schwartz | Collection of Horror Stories and Urban Myths | Libraries had it removed for its gruesome images. |
Silent Spring | Rachel Carson | Environmentalism | Publication was delayed and has been challenged by the chemical industries. |
Sixth Column | Robert A. Heinlein | Sci-Fi Novel | Criticized for its racist depiction of Asians [10] |
Slaughterhouse-Five | Kurt Vonnegut | Sci-Fi Novel | Challenged and banned in schools for sexual content and profanity. |
Starship Troopers | Robert A. Heinlein | Sci-Fi Novel | Accused by critics of having a pro-militant and pro-facist theme along with elements of racism. |
Stupid White Men | Michael Moore | Political Criticism | Publication delayed because of political reasons. Challenged by conservatives for its alleged liberal bias. [11] |
T
Title | Author | Type of Literature | Reason |
---|---|---|---|
Talmud | Religous Text | Criticized by Reform Judaism. [12] Banned in Nazi Germany and the USSR. | |
That Was Then, This Is Now | S. E. Hinton | Novel | Challenged for its drug content. |
Tiger Eyes | Judy Blume | Novel | Banned in schools for its theme of death. |
Tintin in America | Hergé | Graphic Novel | Criticized for racial depiction of Native Americans and African Americans. [13] |
Tintin in the Congo | Hergé | Graphic Novel | Criticized for its pro-imperialist and racist depiction of Africans. [14] |
The Turner Diaries | William Luther Pierce | Novel | Book stores and libraries refuse to distribute it because of its racist theme. Banned in Germany for its Nazi ideolgy theme and Pierce leadership in the American Nazi Party. [15] Blamed for a number of hate crimes inspired by the novel including the Oklahoma City bombing. [16] |
The Two Towers | J. R. R. Tolkien | Novel | Challenged by fundamentalists for its use of wizards and paganry. Also challenged by Atheists for its religious theme. |
U
Title | Author | Type of Literature | Reason |
---|---|---|---|
Ulysses | James Joyce | Novel | Challenged and temproy banned in the US for its sexual content. Ban overturn in United States v. One Book Called Ulysses [17]. |
Uncle Tom's Cabin | Harriet Beecher Stowe | Novel | Banned in the Southern States and Czarist Russia. Challenged by the NAACP for its racist portrayal of African Americans and the use of the word "Nigger". |
Understanding Islam through Hadis | Ram Swarup | Philosophical Treaties | Banned in India under 153A and 295A of the Indian Penal Code. |
United States-Vietnam Relations, 1945-1967 | United States Department of Defense | Report | Classified at the time it was published. Attempts were made to suspend publication. [18] See: New York Times Co. v. United States. |
W
Title | Author | Type of Literature | Reason |
---|---|---|---|
We | Yevgeny Zamyatin | Novel | Banned in the USSR for political reason. |
We All Fall Down | Robert Cormier | Novel | Challenged and banned in schools for sexual and violent content. |
The Wealth of Nations | Adam Smith | Economic Treaties | Banned in the UK and France for criticizing Mercantilism. Banned in communist nations for its capitalist content. |
Where's Waldo? | Martin Handford | Picture Book | Removed from libraries and banned from schools for breif nudity |
Winds of Change | Reza Pahlavi | Political Science | Banned in Iran for political reasons. |
Z
Title | Author | Type of Literature | Reason |
---|---|---|---|
Zweites Buch | Adolf Hitler | Transcript | Possession and sale is illegal in Germany and Austria because of anti-Nazi laws. |
References
- ^ The 9/11 Report Raises More Serious Questions About The White House Statements On Intelligence
- ^ Expelling Huck Finn
- ^ Behind the robes, Stewart finds controversy
- ^ library.dixie.edu
- ^ library.dixie.edu
- ^ The Genetics of Horror: Sex and Racism in H.P. Lovecraft's Fiction
- ^ The Catcher in the Rye Pages - History - Censorship
- ^ An Image of Africa: Racism in Conrad's Heart of Darkness
- ^ News Corporation Cancels Simpson Book and TV Special
- ^ Robert Heinlein: Sixth Column, 1941/1949
- ^ Stupid White Men...and Other Sorry Excuses for the State of the Nation!
- ^ Controversy and Dialogue in the Jewish Tradition
- ^ Tintin: History of English Editions
- ^ Tintin: History of English Editions
- ^ The Alliance and its Allies
- ^ 'Turner Diaries' introduced in McVeigh trial
- ^ United States v. One Book Called Ulysses
- ^ New York Times Co. v. United States