As you read Balzac and the Little Chinese Seamstress, you may feel fortunate that you did not grow up in China during The Cultural Revolution and grateful that you are free to read literature, stories, poetry- basically anything that you choose. However, it is not necessarily that simple, even in the United States. You may be surprised at what you find on the following websites.
The Online Books Page
Banned Books Week
September 27- October 4, 2008
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8 comments:
Reading about banned books is kind of eye opening for me, I cannot imagine being forbidden from reading a certain book. Especially while reading Little Chinese Seamstress, I have gained a greater appreciation for the freedom that we are given and how it should not be taken for granted.
Not being able to read books or even own books is unusual for me. I take owning books for granted in just having them whenever i want to read or get bored. While reading the Little Chinese Seamstress it opened my eyes to see how different cultures have different ways and how some of them wont even allow the owning or reading of books.
After reading these articles, I feel fortunate to be in a school that allows and encourages a variety of books. I guess I have heard before that certain books were banned in some schools but didn't really think anything of it. But, now that its brought to my attention, it would be upsetting to have to get books approved because of bad language. At Collegiate, we are fortunate that we are allowed to read good books even though they may contain language, etc.
Before I read the articles and the Little Chinese Seamstress I was not fully aware of books being banned. I had heard of schools trying to get certain books taken out of the syllabus, but not of books being banned like they were in the Cultural Revolution in China. Reading the book has made the idea of not having freedom of speech and the liberty to read what you want much more real to me, and has made me more appreciative of that freedom.
After reading these artices and The Little Chinese Seamstress i could never imagine not being able to read not only for pleasure but also for the sake of learning purposes. While most students take reading for granted and dislike required reading assignments, i know that if reading was forbidden that students would truly appreciate this freedom. Reading expands ones knowledge on such topics as history and it also helps expand one's vocabulary. Everyone should have a greater appreciation for reading and be thankful for the opportunities it presents.
I think that the idea of banned books is shocking for modern day Americans because we grow up in a society that is so based upon personal liberties and freedoms. I'm glad that we have the right to read all types of books and develop our own opinions and ideas from what we read, instead of being told what we are allowed to read. It seems like most banned books are banned because governments are scared of what ideas people will get from reading them.
If Luo, the narrator, or the little seamstress was alive in America today, I think they would be shocked to see the availability of books. What would be even more surprising to them though would be the attitude towards reading some people have. Instead of looking at it as a privilege, some think of it as a chore. It is strange to think about how in Mao's China preventing students from reading was just as important as promoting reading is among students today. If Luo and the narrator had had a re-education blog, the topic they would have had to write about probably would have been how nice it is to be rid of books and foreign perspective.
After reading Balzac and the Little Chinese Seamstress, my eyes have been opened to something which I truly have always taken for granted. Seeing how Luo and the narrator yearn to be able to read books but are unable to legally do so makes me realize how I have always taken for granted the freedom to read almost any book I choose. Learning about different cultures, seeing various events from another perspective, being put in someone else's shoes, learning new words and ideas, these are just a few of the many benefits that come with reading books. After reading about how Luo and the narrator are denied these privledges, I have gained a greater appreciation for the freedom to read.
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