EAC492

Before you begin, please review General Instructions for Discussion Assignments and
How Discussion Assignments will be marked (in Assignments at the left).
Topic - Discussion Assignment 3: (5%)
Reply to the censors of Bridge to Terabithia by:
1. Addressing their accusations (Unit 6, p. ), citing the novel to support your
opinions.
2. Referencing the !hristianboo".com policy statement in your response.
The main reasoning for Bridge to Terabithia being banned and censored (and still ranking at
28
th
out of 100) is because theres plausible confliction for the readers. This problematic
literature can be grouped into three different categories: religious views and social tensions;
language between characters; and the ending of the novel. These topics are thought to bring on
challenges for whoevers reading the novel and conflict possible conspiracy of antireligion and
the use of witchcraft. !hile it is easy to see why this novel is still an "upintheair# read$ it is
also %uite clear how innocent its supposed to be. &n my opinion$ & thin' that Bridge to Terabithia
is nothing but a classic with relatable situations that can occur and may be hard to struggle with;
especially as a child. (atherine )aterson spea's out in an article and discusses that her reasoning
behind writing the novel is to help her son *avid out as he had to deal with death of a young
friend; at a young age himself. )atterson states$ In times of fear and grief we humans crave this
comfort for ourselves and seek to share it with one another
http!""www.d.umn.edu"#csigler"$%&'20files"(ridge(anning.pdf and this was her means of
helping her son through his loss of tragedy. +he wanted him to understand in a way that was real$
but didnt 'now how to tal' to him. This is how she did so.
The main character is ,ess whom is in the -th grade and hes learning how to have friendships$
e.plore through life$ and ultimately deal with a death of a close lovedone. The environment of
the story and its literature of conversations between characters is easy to understand. /ou can
sympathi0e with all of the characters because theyre a regular family you feel a connection with.
The use of words li'e "shuddup#$ "damn#$ "hell# and "lord# are all very occasional and arent
intended to be threatening. & thin' its more of )attersons way of showing emotions of
frustration or sighs since theyre all young children. &ts easy to 1ustify and carry along with
reading$ especially since typically at this age were melodramatic. 2lso they live on a farm so
theyre language is more common to hear. & thin' along the way this novel has become over
analy0ed and now its 1ust ta'en out of conte.t. !hen reading this in the fourth grade & didnt
find it to be profound$ but rather significant. & too felt similar loneliness and dealt with some of
the same struggles at this age and its easy to put your feet in their shoes. Today reading it & can
still say & feel the same$ & dont thin' it should be censored or banned.
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