Isabela Tahmazian EN101 Writing Exam 2024 4 April 2024 The Importance of Honesty in Literature “The truth is not always beautiful, nor beautiful words the truth” (Lao Tzu). More often than not, the truth is diluted to avoid dissent and unpleasant emotions. Given the ever-changing state of domestic and international affairs in the world, people are often told what they want to hear, not what they need to hear. Amidst such embellishments and lies, however, one thing should remain constant: the honesty of writers as they communicate with audiences. In Matt de la Pea’s article “Why We Shouldn’t Shield Children from Darkness,” he delves into the debate between truth-telling and sensitivity in writing, especially regarding children’s literature. Through personal experiences and reflections,
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One of the greatest privileges of American life is the freedom of the press. There are various news outlets, social networking sites, and online platforms that offer coverage of breaking news and events, all free from external influence. However, with all of the information that exists, it can be difficult to zero in on the truth. This problem, though, can be solved by thoughtful, cognizant writers. While some authors may wish to avoid sensitive topics - war, poverty, and civil unrest, to name a few - doing so only adds to the issue of misrepresentation. Matt de la Pea, though, did not wish to draw a veil over difficult topics. Despite his book, Love, being deemed “too heavy for children” for its portrayal of domestic arguments, de la Pea believed it was better to tell a harsh truth than a dolled-up lie (de la Pea). This choice, though, was not an easy one, as he briefly considered “softening” his content to make it more palatable for the publisher. Matt de la Pea’s eventual decision to pursue the truth in the face of opposition was truly admirable and set the precedent for writers
One of the greatest privileges of American life is the freedom of the press. There are various news outlets, social networking sites, and online platforms that offer coverage of breaking news and events, all free from external influence. However, with all of the information that exists, it can be difficult to zero in on the truth. This problem, though, can be solved by thoughtful, cognizant writers. While some authors may wish to avoid sensitive topics - war, poverty, and civil unrest, to name a few - doing so only adds to the issue of misrepresentation. Matt de la Pea, though, did not wish to draw a veil over difficult topics. Despite his book, Love, being deemed “too heavy for children” for its portrayal of domestic arguments, de la Pea believed it was better to tell a harsh truth than a dolled-up lie (de la Pea). This choice, though, was not an easy one, as he briefly considered “softening” his content to make it more palatable for the publisher. Matt de la Pea’s eventual decision to pursue the truth in the face of opposition was truly admirable and set the precedent for writers