Tuesday, June 29, 2010

Yay, Fiction!

Hey bloggers, it's Tuesday!

First, let me just say how much I love this week's theme. I have this notebook and among other things I have one section in it devoted just to quotes that I like. Most of them are from novels, but a few of them are from philosophers and of course because its my notebook there's a few quotes from John and Hank. So yeah, that, and also the fact that I was reading some articles about book banning that kind of pissed me off, is how I decided on this quote by the author Jessamyn West:

"Fiction reveals truths that reality obscures."

I like this quote because I've found it to be true on more than one occasion. I'm constantly learning new things from novels, which is part of the reason I get so angry whenever I hear/read about book banners. Usually a book banner's argument is that if a teen reads something about drugs or sex or whatever their trying to ban, the teen will then imitate those behaviors. But I disagree, I think by reading these things teens (and adults) can learn about things without actually being in any kind of danger. For example, doing marijuana is a legal and also incredibly bad for you, but reading about marijuana has no real serious consequences. In fact, I'd argue reading about tough situations and dangerous situations will prevent these situations from happening and instead inspire people to think for themselves and know right from wrong. Now, just so were clear, I'm not against experiences (bad or good), what happens, happens and makes you who you are, but if certain things can be prevented by simply reading, I don't think those books should be banned or moved to another section.

Emily, I'll read you tomorrow!

DFTBA
Tenley

Currently listening to: "The Rainbow Connection" by Carpenters
Currently reading: Still reading "Prep"... haven't had a whole lot of time to read.
Quote: "I doubt that the imagination can be suppressed. If you truly eradicated it in a child, he would grow up to be an eggplant." by Ursula K. Le Guin

3 comments:

  1. I agree, I learn lots of new things from novels and experience things through words that I wouldn't experience in real life. Fiction is pretty jokes.

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  2. FIction is so amazing and book banners piss me off... also I LOVE Ursula K. Le Guin.

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  3. I agree that banning books is wrong AND stupid. I feel really strongly about people who restrict people's thoughts and ideas.

    Great entry, like your quote.

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