Flowers for Algernon
Flowers For Algernon
William J. Brennan of the Supreme Court stated, "If there is bedrock
principle underlying the First Amendment, it is that Government may not
prohibit the expression of an idea simply because society finds the idea itself
offensive or disagreeable." Flowers For Algernon by Daniel Keyes, is
criticized for sexual, religious, and unmoral themes and are the reasons for
opposition. However, these examples do not give reason for banning any
literature, especially when it has an important, underlying lesson of how
wisdom does not make the person but can actually hurt them. Therefore,
Flowers For Algernon should not be banned and should remain in the
curriculum.
One reason of criticism is that of a sexual theme. Solonor.com claims
it has "distasteful love scenes." You do not ban a book for briefly hitting on
a pair making love and carrying out nature. If sex did not occur, then we
would not be in existence. "He would realistically have an interest in sex,"
just as any other human at his age (Small, Jr. 254). Of coarse, Keyes does
devote a few passages to rather tame sexual encounters, but he does nothing
explicit.
Religious themes are also objected. "It has been accused of tampering
with the will of God, of turning men the doctors, that is into gods, and of
supernaturalism " (Small, Jr. 254). Robert Small, Jr. also tells of critics
arguing that the operation was irreligious and perhaps Satanic. When taking
these two points into consideration, this book was written as a science fiction
rather than a fantasy.
Some people even say it should be banned because it is unmoral or
"it's too sad" (solonor.com). At the beginning, Charlie Gordon was a happy
man who considered everyone he knew and came into contact with as his
friend. He also tried to help out in any that he could. Then, the operation is
performed and he and he learns
William J. Brennan of the Supreme Court stated, "If there is bedrock
principle underlying the First Amendment, it is that Government may not
prohibit the expression of an idea simply because society finds the idea itself
offensive or disagreeable." Flowers For Algernon by Daniel Keyes, is
criticized for sexual, religious, and unmoral themes and are the reasons for
opposition. However, these examples do not give reason for banning any
literature, especially when it has an important, underlying lesson of how
wisdom does not make the person but can actually hurt them. Therefore,
Flowers For Algernon should not be banned and should remain in the
curriculum.
One reason of criticism is that of a sexual theme. Solonor.com claims
it has "distasteful love scenes." You do not ban a book for briefly hitting on
a pair making love and carrying out nature. If sex did not occur, then we
would not be in existence. "He would realistically have an interest in sex,"
just as any other human at his age (Small, Jr. 254). Of coarse, Keyes does
devote a few passages to rather tame sexual encounters, but he does nothing
explicit.
Religious themes are also objected. "It has been accused of tampering
with the will of God, of turning men the doctors, that is into gods, and of
supernaturalism " (Small, Jr. 254). Robert Small, Jr. also tells of critics
arguing that the operation was irreligious and perhaps Satanic. When taking
these two points into consideration, this book was written as a science fiction
rather than a fantasy.
Some people even say it should be banned because it is unmoral or
"it's too sad" (solonor.com). At the beginning, Charlie Gordon was a happy
man who considered everyone he knew and came into contact with as his
friend. He also tried to help out in any that he could. Then, the operation is
performed and he and he learns