When has learning from books become such a bad thing? Around the world most countries are banning books because of their strong language, or their drug use, or even because of their sexual content. What they don’t realize is that we as readers learn the character's flaws. I recently read a book called "The Contender" by Robert Lipsyte, which is about a young boy named Alfred who lives in Bedstuy and has to deal with bullies and the loss of his best friend. Though going through all of that he still tries to make something of himself. This book and many others should not be banned because it teaches the reader very valuable lessons.
The books should not be banned because it teaches valuable lessons. In the book Alfred practices boxing and wants to make it to the top, but he knows in order for him to make it he has to practice a lot and keep trying. " It's the climbing that makes the man. Getting to the top is an extra reward." (pg.35) This quote teaches reader to not give up, working hard could get you to where you want to be.
Another example is, all over the world kids are getting books taking away from them. In the article " The Banned Books We Loved " talks about books kids have read and what the have learned from it, one example they give is " From 'Bridge to Terabithia' we learned importance of friendship and being open to those that might not seem 'appropriate'." ( Doll pg.2) This shows that while reading a banned book students learned a very important lessons, which could help them in their lives.
On the other hand they may argue that most books should be banned of the amount of drug use. For example in the book “The Contender” by Robert Lypsyte a young boy got hooked on drugs, and kept asking his friends for money to buy it. While focusing on the negative they missed the big message it teaches the reader; the importance of friendship. While the young boy was on drugs his friend Alfred always stuck by him, no matter how much he was betrayed.
Books should not be banned because it teaches the reader very important lessons such as not giving up, and the importance of friendship. If there is something you really want and want to give up, after reading the book, "The Contender" you nwill know that is not a good idea. That is how books help us.
I think it was a smart idea to start your essay with a rhetorical questions because all these years we have been taught to read all book not censor them. Also the way you stated you counterclaim was put in such a way that you showed you understood where the other side came from but why you were right in a subtle way.
ReplyDelete