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Flowers for Algernon" by Daniel Keyes, published in 1966, has the distinction of being number 47 on the list of the 100 most frequently challenged books from 1990 to 2000, according to the American Library Association.
Why Ban Books?
Books are banned for various reasons. Their content may be considered offensive or obscene; they may present ideas deemed dangerous; or stories may be thought too disturbing or frightening for children. A book banning can be requested by a government, a school system, or a library.
Why Ban Flowers?
"Flowers for Algernon" was banned as obscene for its love scenes, the American Library Association reports. The story's main character, Charles Gordon, increases his intelligence quotient from 68 to genius level after receiving experimental brain surgery. Charlie also develops into a mature, robust man. He falls in love with his teacher, and a sexual encounter ensues.
Freedom of Expression
The First Amendment of the Constitution guarantees a citizen's right to free speech, which includes reading and writing books that others may regard as hateful, obscene, or offensive. Despite these freedoms, there are instances in which freedoms can be restricted, resulting in actions like the localized banning of "Flowers for Algernon." According to the FirstAmendmentCenter.org, after many problem obscenity cases in the 1950s and 1960s, the Supreme Court laid out guidelines for jurors in obscenity cases in its 1973 decision Miller v. California; in addition, "states have the ability to deem certain speech that is protected for adults obscene only with respect to minors. Many states have passed what are called 'harmful-to-minors' obscenity statutes. The Supreme Court has held that these statutes must be quite narrow and must not limit adult access to protected speech."
History of "Flowers" Censorship
"Flowers for Algernon" was banned by Plant City, Florida (1976), Emporium, Pennsylvania, (1977), and Glen Rose High School library, Arkansas (1981). It was challenged by Oberlin High School in Ohio (1983) and by Glenrock High School in Wyoming (1984), among others.
"Flowers" in Good Company
Other banned books have included "Harriet the Spy" by Louise Fitzhugh (viewed as "dangerous" because it taught "children to lie, spy, back-talk and curse"), "The Diary of a Young Girl" by Anne Frank (for sexually offensive passages), "The Color Purple" by Alice Walker (because of its "troubling ideas about race relations"), "A Farewell to Arms" by Ernest Hemingway (which was labeled by some a "sex novel"), and many more, including many literary "classics."
No Flowers for Algernon
As a banned book, "Flowers for Algernon" is in good company. What is "distasteful" and what is "art" will always remain matters of opinion. Although banning a book may deter readers in the short term, this tactic has proven ineffective over the long haul, and controversy can actually arouse public interest in a work. According to Goodreads.com, more than five million copies "of the beloved classic 'Flowers for Algernon'" have been sold.
