Banning Books Isn't for the Best
Sex, cruelty, rebellion, and manipulation. These are just a few elements the book One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest by Ken Kesey has been accused of glorifying. It’s no wonder parents everywhere are having issues with their children learning about in school. One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest is a novel from the perspective of a patient in a mental hospital in the 1960’s. It showcases the monstrosities that go on behind the closed doors of the hospital ward from the mind of the narrator's point of view as a patient (Kesey). Although this novel may have what some consider risqué content, it's no worse than any of the other classics that are standard for high school English classes today. This novel has been challenged …show more content…
One Flew over the Cuckoo's Nest is an exceptional writing that shows readers that it is acceptable to defy the rigid rules of conformity that many have been taught to follow. The maturity of this novel is of a higher level based on the graphic content. Kesey goes into precise detail over how patients in this hospital are mistreated. One of the most graphic sexual travesties that occur is when “They push him face down on the mattress. One sits on his head, and the other rips his pants open in the back and peel the cloth until Taber’s peach-colored rear is framed by the ragged pants” (Kesey, 36) Despite the graphic detail, the book should be taught to mature high school students. Students should be able to look at the story and see the meaning in it instead of looking at it immaturely. Some people may argue that high school students should not be exposed to material containing, sex, cruelty or manipulation, but most students have already been exposed to much worse material than this book contains. Parents state that this material should not be taught to teens and young adults because it may negatively affect the way they look at everyday life. “Some parents call it glorification of prostitution, murder, and obscenity. But educators, academic experts, and even other parents see it as a valuable teaching tool.” states the Los Angeles Times in an article over the novel (Mai). Despite the negative criticisms, this novel contains literary merit, including realistic characters, emotional complexity, life skills, and
Sex, cruelty, rebellion, and manipulation. These are just a few elements the book One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest by Ken Kesey has been accused of glorifying. It’s no wonder parents everywhere are having issues with their children learning about in school. One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest is a novel from the perspective of a patient in a mental hospital in the 1960’s. It showcases the monstrosities that go on behind the closed doors of the hospital ward from the mind of the narrator's point of view as a patient (Kesey). Although this novel may have what some consider risqué content, it's no worse than any of the other classics that are standard for high school English classes today. This novel has been challenged …show more content…
One Flew over the Cuckoo's Nest is an exceptional writing that shows readers that it is acceptable to defy the rigid rules of conformity that many have been taught to follow. The maturity of this novel is of a higher level based on the graphic content. Kesey goes into precise detail over how patients in this hospital are mistreated. One of the most graphic sexual travesties that occur is when “They push him face down on the mattress. One sits on his head, and the other rips his pants open in the back and peel the cloth until Taber’s peach-colored rear is framed by the ragged pants” (Kesey, 36) Despite the graphic detail, the book should be taught to mature high school students. Students should be able to look at the story and see the meaning in it instead of looking at it immaturely. Some people may argue that high school students should not be exposed to material containing, sex, cruelty or manipulation, but most students have already been exposed to much worse material than this book contains. Parents state that this material should not be taught to teens and young adults because it may negatively affect the way they look at everyday life. “Some parents call it glorification of prostitution, murder, and obscenity. But educators, academic experts, and even other parents see it as a valuable teaching tool.” states the Los Angeles Times in an article over the novel (Mai). Despite the negative criticisms, this novel contains literary merit, including realistic characters, emotional complexity, life skills, and