Preventing Violence By Teaching Literature Analysis

In the article, “Preventing Violence By Teaching Literature”, Jessica Aptman spreads the message that an individual’s roles and responsibilities with respect to society as a whole are to make intelligent decisions that prevent innocent people from being harmed through educating others and themselves and to be respectful and to be respectful to everyone. The author recounts a tragic situation where her sister, Marissa, was shot and killed by two young men. Marissa’s friend was shot by the two teenagers as well, however she was able to survive and make a change, “Miraculously, my sister’s friend not only survived but convicted them, ensuring that the two men would never again have the opportunity to destroy another life.” Jessica Aptman uses this event that connects closely to her life
in order to convey the idea that it is important for humans to stand up for their beliefs in order to assure that less innocent lives are taken by people who are inconsiderate and following society’s rules. After the loss of her beloved sister, Aptman and her family founded an organization to promote the prevention of more violent situations like this. Their organization developed a literacy themed website in order to spread knowledge that will inhibit the occurrence of violent crimes.
Aptman clearly believes that reading impedes the development of violent characteristics in children when she states the facts, “Up to 80 percent of incarcerated individuals are functionally illiterate; studies show that if a child reads on grade level by the end of 3rd grade, there is a 99 percent certainty that child will never be incarcerated.” In order for a society to be more functional, people must gain literacy skills or help others achieve those skills. Reading causes an individual to be less likely to acquire disrespectful and violent traits at a young age. This article relates to Fahrenheit 451 because throughout Ray Bradbury’s book the members of the dystopian society constantly drive at dangerously fast speeds and teens kill each other. An explanation for the strong presence of crimes in the world in Fahrenheit 451 could be that the ban on books causes the citizens to be more illiterate and more likely to possess aggressive traits. In both texts it is evident that reading is essential in order for a democracy to be peaceful and less
violent. Jessica Aptman revealed, “This initiative will save lives—the lives of potential victims, and the lives of children who are destined to go down a violent path if we do not intervene.” Aptman’s use of the word “victims” in this quote represents individuals who are injured or killed during crimes which she believes are caused by lack of access to books. Additionally, this corresponds to Fahrenheit 451 because Clarisse McClellan questions the burning of books and analogously wonders why teenagers her age make such harmful choices. This article is an appropriate source for this topic because it discusses both what actions individuals should complete as well as the significance of reading. Jessica Aptman has authority on this topic because she helped establish the organization, The Melissa Institute for Violence Prevention and Treatment, which strives to accelerate the spread of reading and literacy in order to create a less violent society. Furthermore, she has authority on this topic because her own sister was murdered in a homicide which led her to closely researching about how violence can be prevented through knowledge and literacy. Ultimately, an individual must educate themselves and others, in addition to being considerate, in order for a society to be functional and violence-free.