The novel,
Friday Night Lights, by H. G. Bissinger should be a challenged book because of
excessive use of vulgar language, drug and alcohol usage by teens, and
prejudice against blacks. This is shown through the characters’ words and
actions throughout the novel.
Friday Night Lights by H. G.
Bissinger should be a challenged book because of an excessive use of vulgar
language. This is shown through the way the players talk and interact with each
other. There is a football team in a small town in Texas hoping to go to state
in the year 1988. The star football player, Boobie, has been injured in a
preseason game, and cannot believe it. He is really upset. Boobie says, “You
can’t be serious, man! You got to be full of shit, man!” (Bissinger 56). Using this language sets a mood that is both angry and
frustrated. Boobie is really upset because he might not ever be able to play
football again. He is really hoping that the trainer is “full of shit”. He
wants them to not “be serious” about the news. The usage of the word “shit” in
this quote is supposed to emphasize the fact that he is upset. It is putting
stress on the whole situation. Nobody should really use this dialect on an
every day basis, but it seems to be understood that a lot of people do. Being
in a Catholic school, a lot of parents and teachers could be opposed to this
language. Nobody can really do anything about it at this point, though. It is
just how the world is. This overuse of vulgar language may influence the minds
of teens, causing them to use the same language.
I agree that the book should be challenged, but if it had three reasons to be challenged and not one to be a must read, should it be banned? I think that by having vulgar language in the book it should be challenged because it sets a mood for the whole book to be that way. I also agree with the point that said that it could influence other teens to use this language because it is used in the book. The only thing I do not agree with is that there is nothing that would make it a must read, nothing that could benefit the reader.
ReplyDeleteI also conquer that this book should be challenged. From this post, I have come to find this book to be vulgar. The use of foul language really makes me sick. Though it exists in the real world and is probably becoming more and more common among younger people, exposing this to youth is unnecessary. As a child, one might find this book and think it is okay to read because it's about sports. However with this book, this might not be the case and this premature exposure to vulgar content could really affect someone.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Maddie, I think that by using vulgar language, sets the theme for the whole book, and if they are angry and using that type of language in the beginning, it is going to to be used throughout the rest of the book. I think that when vulgar language is constantly being used, parents will start to become protective of their child, because it is not the way they want their children to grow up and think that it is okay to speak those words left and right. I agree with your view point of the book, by saying that it is challenged, because when vulgar language is constantly being used, it can have an affect on the reader and they could start to think that it is okay to speak that way. Also, I think you did a good job with your analysis and explaining the key words, and the tone of the voice when the character was speaking.
ReplyDeleteI have the same question as Maddie, why didn't you choose this as a banded book instead of a challenged? I agree with you that the world already uses the language too much to change them. I think that this quote is almost okay for the vulgar language because it is not an everyday situation unless you are told daily that you can't do something that you love. The character was mad and frustrated so I think that he was fine to cuss, but it would be bad if he did use it often. I think that high schoolers would learn from this because it seems relatable because it take place in a high school setting.
ReplyDeletei read this book also and i agree with what your saying about the vulgar language. It is very explicit at times and some of the words the author uses are not necessary to the plot and i believe can be taken out. some points in this book are just really really bad and people say high schoolers hear it all but some of it really is bad and even for older kids.
ReplyDeleteThis is for everyone that was wondering why I didn't choose banned for this book. Although there are drugs, alcohol, and vulgar language, this book contains a lot of good stories that can teach us a lot. It is full of background stories about the players and coaches leading up to the state championship. These are stories of high schoolers like us overcoming challenges of their own lives. We can learn from their mistakes too. Some of these players even realized that their lives were on the wrong tracks and did everything they could to change it. That's why I chose challenged instead of banned.
ReplyDeleteI really appreciate the distinction that Catherine made in this explanation about why the book should be challenged and not banned. It seems as if the vulgar language is used to express great frustration in the book. I think most teens can relate to such frustration. And if the story shows people over coming their challenges in life, then it has some social value. If on the other hand some of the language is excessive and not necessary in achieving the point in the story it should be challenged.
ReplyDelete