In 1954 a psychiatrist by the name of Fredrick Wertham published a very influential book titled, Seduction of the Innocent. It was so influential that Carol L. Tilley described it as a “historical and cultural touchstones of the anticomics movement in the United States during the 1940s and 1950s” (Tilley, 2012, p.383). This is a polarized stance, one that Tilley is determined to defend. When Wertham published his book, it was revealed as a masterpiece by parents, authors, and even the New York Times. It was deemed the most important book of the year by literary critic Sterling North. Even though the book was a success with parents, Wertham quickly became the face of the decline in the popularity of comics in the 1950’s. Children saw him as
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Even his title is an obvious fallacy. He titled his book, that was geared towards parents, teachers, and other responsible adults, Seducing the Innocent. As soon as someone reads this title they are filled with two emotions. Fear, because of the appeal to fear fallacy, and anger, due to the use of the poisoning the well fallacy. The appeal to fear fallacy is being used in the title because when you see the word seduce alongside the word innocent, one becomes afraid. Most people view themselves as innocent, due in part to the basis of our judicial system. We are taught that we are innocent until proven guilty. Naturally one reads this title and thinks that they are going to be, or already have been, seduced. This is the first reaction. The second reaction would be to automatically feel angry that you have been seduced, and the easiest way to build anger is to provide a path of least resistance, in this case, agreeing with Wertham. Many authors describe the emotion of anger as a cloud, or sometimes a haze. Both smother other thoughts and emotions if you feed them enough. This is a very unfair way for Wertham to introduce his work, as you go in subconsciously willing to agree with him. Appeal to fear is also relevant throughout the book because no parent wants their child to grow up and be a delinquent. Once again, the path of least resistance is to simply not let their children read comic books.
Even his title is an obvious fallacy. He titled his book, that was geared towards parents, teachers, and other responsible adults, Seducing the Innocent. As soon as someone reads this title they are filled with two emotions. Fear, because of the appeal to fear fallacy, and anger, due to the use of the poisoning the well fallacy. The appeal to fear fallacy is being used in the title because when you see the word seduce alongside the word innocent, one becomes afraid. Most people view themselves as innocent, due in part to the basis of our judicial system. We are taught that we are innocent until proven guilty. Naturally one reads this title and thinks that they are going to be, or already have been, seduced. This is the first reaction. The second reaction would be to automatically feel angry that you have been seduced, and the easiest way to build anger is to provide a path of least resistance, in this case, agreeing with Wertham. Many authors describe the emotion of anger as a cloud, or sometimes a haze. Both smother other thoughts and emotions if you feed them enough. This is a very unfair way for Wertham to introduce his work, as you go in subconsciously willing to agree with him. Appeal to fear is also relevant throughout the book because no parent wants their child to grow up and be a delinquent. Once again, the path of least resistance is to simply not let their children read comic books.