02 Aug 2023
A Dangerous Practice: Censorship and sensitivity readers
Earlier this year, a controversial literary quandary arose: British publisher Puffin Books prepared new versions of selected Roald Dahl classics, carefully editing them to suit modern tastes. Excerpts relating to race, gender, mental health, and weight were changed to avoid potentially offending readers.
This divided critics, authors, and readers in Britain and around the world, many of whom voiced support for keeping the original works just as they are.
I wholeheartedly support this for the below reasons:
- Wrapping readers up in cotton wool isn’t in their best interest. Exposure to perspectives that aren’t part of our worldview is necessary to create a generation of critical thinkers who cherish balanced perspectives and protect the concept of free speech. This promotes creativity, pushing kids to join the dots and make up their own minds about what they read and experience, an essential life skill
- Censorship takes away opportunities to discuss perceived stereotypes and problematic representations with teachers, parents, and friends.
- Where to draw the line? Changing a few words may lead to inserting whole passages or ideas which misrepresent both story and author. Take the text of The Witches. It’s a slippery slope that endangers freedom of expression. Why not create new works to showcase your ideals? For me, that’s always the more courageous choice.
- Similarly, whilst I have no objection to diverse casting, viewers should be advised when new adaptations take liberties with historical fact. We can’t learn from the past by rewriting it.
- It insults both readers and authors to assume that the audience can’t be confronted with challenging ideas. Matilda’s awful treatment at the hands of her parents and the abuse heaped on James by his Aunts Sponge and Spiker show children that they can overcome abuse themselves. Ditto for the horrible “hags” in The Witches. Although the world isn’t perfect, there are ways to change your situation for the better. What a message of hope for kids – they are not alone and have gifts which allow them to build a better life.
- Minimising violence in fiction makes for less resilient readers. Changing “fat” to “enormous” in descriptions of Augustus Gloop doesn’t reflect the real world where children, teens, and adults are criticised for their body shape and size. It’s not ideal, but preparing people for the real world is part of education.
- In this case, the author isn’t alive to either veto or accept alterations, although his family did so. Despite giving the green light, such unwarranted control is a disservice to Dahl’s legacy.
- Although the world and its morals may seem static, values change as times and contexts shift. Sensitivity readers will need to continually update works over the years. Arguably, their time is more profitably spent supporting new authors with advice and encouragement.
- History has shown that banning books just makes people want to get their hooks on them even more!
As readers, writers, and citizens, we need to demand integrity and authenticity from publishers. Confronting reality is a healthier option than remaking it in our own image.
Bibliography
“Roald Dahl rewrites: edited language in books criticised as ‘absurd censorship.’” The Guardian. 20 February 2023.
Syed, Armani. “Why Rewrites to Roald Dahl’s Books Are Staring Controversy.” Time Magazine. 21 February 2023.
Author
Estelle Borrey
PhD in European Languages and Cultures
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