Thursday, December 11, 2008
Sherman Alexie v. Central Oregon
Of all the younger writers out there, my favorite is Sherman Alexie. He's funny, insightful, touching, and has a great easy-reading style. The only novel of his I haven't read is The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian.
High school kids over in Prineville have been reading it, though. Until now. A parent got upset because it talks about masturbation (!). We know young people masturbate (hell, so do us old people, too), but we don't want young people to know that other young people... You know what I mean. It is, well, a stupid move. If I was rich, I'd buy a bunch of copies and stand just off the high school grounds and give the copies away. Jesus.
Censorship is such a strange control trip. People think that by censoring ideas or books or music they can control other people...maybe they just want attention, you think? I didn't consider that. Demanding books get removed from schools is a fine way to get your name in the papers and on TV...hmm. Anyhow, censorship doesn't work: we all know that. The bigger the fuss you make about something, the more people will want to see or read or hear what it is you're upset about. And young people have a mission to upset their elders: it's part of the job description of being young. I expect a lot more Prineville kids will read Alexie's book now that before.
The superintendent of schools over there, a guy named Shultz, constructed a lovely sentence about the book: "It's unfortunate those kind of graphics have to be used in a book that has good lessons to learn." I guess he means "it'll learn you some lessons," but I'm not sure. It's a quaint and probably dumb usage.
So, tomorrow, I'll go buy me a banned book. It's kind of my patriotic duty.
High school kids over in Prineville have been reading it, though. Until now. A parent got upset because it talks about masturbation (!). We know young people masturbate (hell, so do us old people, too), but we don't want young people to know that other young people... You know what I mean. It is, well, a stupid move. If I was rich, I'd buy a bunch of copies and stand just off the high school grounds and give the copies away. Jesus.
Censorship is such a strange control trip. People think that by censoring ideas or books or music they can control other people...maybe they just want attention, you think? I didn't consider that. Demanding books get removed from schools is a fine way to get your name in the papers and on TV...hmm. Anyhow, censorship doesn't work: we all know that. The bigger the fuss you make about something, the more people will want to see or read or hear what it is you're upset about. And young people have a mission to upset their elders: it's part of the job description of being young. I expect a lot more Prineville kids will read Alexie's book now that before.
The superintendent of schools over there, a guy named Shultz, constructed a lovely sentence about the book: "It's unfortunate those kind of graphics have to be used in a book that has good lessons to learn." I guess he means "it'll learn you some lessons," but I'm not sure. It's a quaint and probably dumb usage.
So, tomorrow, I'll go buy me a banned book. It's kind of my patriotic duty.
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Hey Pete, when you finish reading the book, donate it to the Crook County Public Library. That's what I plan on doing. You know the kids will want to read the book, and their library copy is on reserve until January. Stick it to the man, one book at a time!
# posted by 
: 9:53 AM
: 9:53 AM
http://www.multidams.unit.it/studia/materiali/santini/2004_2005/dispensa.1.pdf
The theme of Journey
from
the quest
to
digital nomadism
A.A. 2004-2005
Lingua Inglese B
Prof.ssa Catia Santini M.A.
* * *
Hero's Journey
This chapter has been adapted from two previous articles:
The Hero's journey. A guide to literature and life. By Susan Thompson
The Hero's Journey's: Life's great adventure by Reg Harris
Most of us were introduced to the Heroic Journey through mythology. Mythological
heroes take great journeys: to slay Medusa, to kill the minotaur, to find the golden
fleece. But The Hero's Journey isn't just a pattern from myth. It's the pattern of life,
growth and experience -- for all of us. We see it reflected everywhere, from a
television comedy to the great works of literature to the experiences in our own lives.
Why study The Hero's Journey? The answer is simple: we should study it
because it's the pattern of human experience, of our experience, and we will
live it for the rest of our lives.
* * *
Post a Comment
The theme of Journey
from
the quest
to
digital nomadism
A.A. 2004-2005
Lingua Inglese B
Prof.ssa Catia Santini M.A.
* * *
Hero's Journey
This chapter has been adapted from two previous articles:
The Hero's journey. A guide to literature and life. By Susan Thompson
The Hero's Journey's: Life's great adventure by Reg Harris
Most of us were introduced to the Heroic Journey through mythology. Mythological
heroes take great journeys: to slay Medusa, to kill the minotaur, to find the golden
fleece. But The Hero's Journey isn't just a pattern from myth. It's the pattern of life,
growth and experience -- for all of us. We see it reflected everywhere, from a
television comedy to the great works of literature to the experiences in our own lives.
Why study The Hero's Journey? The answer is simple: we should study it
because it's the pattern of human experience, of our experience, and we will
live it for the rest of our lives.
* * *
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