argument essay

Rebecca silver                                                                                                                             808

Dear Ms. Berner,

            “Banning books gives us silence when we need speech. It closes our ears when we need to listen. It makes us blind when we need sight” – Stephan Chbosky, children’s book author. In a society of violence video games, gruesome movies and terrible TV shows, many books have become an outlet of knowledge to have freedom when choosing what you want. However, “banned books” have become a concern in the lives of students and parents everywhere, where no freedom exists. The act of banning books comes from the concern of many parents and teachers who believe “sophisticated” more advanced topics such as abuse; addiction and violence are topics that students shouldn’t be allowed to read. However, the student body believes that children have the right to read about the challenges the world faces on a daily basis, as to better understand the world they live in.

            Many students and children alike are denied certain rights that actually benefit them such as to better understand the horrible challenges each one of us faces such as depression, abuse and violence. Ignoring these things is denying students the right to knowledge while isolating them to a world of fantasy. For example in John Greens, The  Fault in Our Stars  a school in California banned this book because of cancer and death, however this is something we deal with on a daily basis so to just ban a book because of the horrible topics it has, doesn’t mean we still don’t have to deal with them. A book featuring addiction, a topic some teens can relate too, provides useful information but taking away that book doesn’t take away that child’s issue it’s just hiding the fact that addictions do exist

            Many other banned books include topics of “damaging” lifestyles including drugs, abuse and sexual situations. However some teens do face physical and mental abuse each day, they smoke or do drugs daily, and may have been in some gruesome sexual situations. Books teach about these things and how to deal with them. If you take away a book that has to do with drugs from a child, that child that you were preventing for doing drugs is now more likely to do them because no one was there to teach them the consequences or the price and aftermath of doing it, such as smoking. Children may not be able to turn to anyone for help, so books serve us as a guide to help and inform us about the things everybody else also faces on a daily basis.

            Many may believe that banning books helps a child to become less aware of the world we live in. Even though they may be happier the world we live in still exists while all the problems in it still do too. Books dealing with topics that maybe are more advanced, still allows the child to be aware of what certain people deal with every day and banning books so children don’t see it doesn’t mean the problems don’t exercise. Even though some children may not be ready for the harshness and topics in these books, we the student body still believe that others should get the chance to experience the world through the eyes of someone else and realize that these are challenges real people face on a daily basis.

            In conclusion, I believe banning books prevents children from learning and experiencing certain difficulties and challenges that some of us struggle with on a daily basis. We the student body believes that taking away a banned book from a child lessens their understanding of the world around them, while also taking away their right to learn about certain difficulties. We believe that it is wrong to deny someone their right to knowledge, while allowing us to better understand the world around us, concluding that books in MS 51 should no be banned as well as anywhere else.

                                              Sincerely,

                                                           The student body

               

               

               

"The Grimm Conclusion"

Rebecca silver                                                                                                                          808 

                Classic novels, such as “Little Red Riding Hood” and “Cinderella” have been passed down from generation to generation as stories that everybody knows. However, Adam Gidwitz,”the Grimm Conclusion” gives a whole new perspective to the classic fairytales; many of us know and love. For example, Jorinda, a twist on the actual character, cuts off her finger in order to get the a door open, or stepping on the glass slipper, that Cinderella wears, only to be married to the prince after losing it. “The Grimm Conclusion” focuses on the dark perspectives of many enjoyable fairytales; however his writing also shows us that there may not always be a happy ending, such as we were taught as children.

               

                As a child, reading fairytales was a gateway to an imaginary world of magic, princesses and evil. I had never thought that a fairytale would ever be able to poses such a dark plot, that not only includes evil but monsters, vicious beasts, and gruesome details that I can’t explain. However it introduced me to the idea that not everything can turn out the way things are planned to. In “Cinderella” the princess loses her slipper only for it to be returned to her by, of course a prince. “The Grimm Conclusion” has a different way of putting it, where as the prince never actually finds the slipper while Cinderella herself, is only to be put to work as a slave to her two evil stepsisters. As well as Snow White, where she never actually wakes up but is instead in a coma, never to wake up. These obviously aren’t the childhood fairytales we all grew up on, however it really does open us up to the fact that maybe we won’t have our happy ever after’s.

               

                Many parents are of course, are involved in their own lives as well as their children’s such as, television, education and of course books. However recently, “banned” books have made their way into one of the many issues our society faces. Many parents and children have very different opinions and views, on the subject of “banned books” that may have to do with religion, violence, and cruelty. “The Grimm Conclusion,” is of course banned for all of those reasons including, harassment, political views, and unhappy fairy tale endings, that many parents believe their children should not endure. However children do need to learn reality, as though there may not always be happy endings, such as fairytales usually portray them to be. Many parents disagree, that children should NEVER become a subject to, these issues, even when faced with the challenges that come with adult hood. Adam Gidwitz own “the Grimm Conclusion may be one of the many challenges our society faces, however he teaches us valuable life lessons that many readers should know, through his  unique writing style, that includes “dark fairy tales.”

               

                There are many styles of writing, that many authors accumulate over time. Adam Gidwitz has a record of portraying fairytales to be dark, cruel things that many parents disagree with. They believe their child should not be a subject to such horrible things that include abuse, cursing and violence. However “The Grimm Conclusion” has taught me that not everything will turn out the way it should, because nobody’s life will ever be perfect using classic fairytales to show how they would really end up.

adult fiction

Rebecca silver                                 Divergent                             808

            Many children often feel as though they’re neglected, or ignored. They wait to rebel, to hold strife against society, or maybe wanting to strike against their parents will. In any case, children act out against what everybody else believes in, in order to choose what they want. Tris Prior did exactly that. In “Divergent” by Veronica Roth, a 16- year old, Abnegation child is found to be Divergent, a highly dangerous person whose mind is flexible, or is able to shift. Put to the test she chooses Dauntless as her next faction, who is the complete opposite of Abnegation, brave but cruel. The author shows us real life children rebelling, in comparison to Tris’s own experience.

            Many children are often confused, not just about decisions but about life itself, while needing a strong idol to guide them. Tris, while feeling neglected by her Abnegation faction, decides to take the total opposite approach, choosing Dauntless who believes in violence. “One choice will define you, choose carefully.” Says Caleb. One chance. One choice. One whole new personality. This shows the pressure and uncertainty she must feel. The author shows us the difficult challenges she must face in order to choose Dauntless, and in order to get a whole new faction. “I couldn’t bear it anymore, I pushed my hands over the coals, I am Dauntless, I am brave.” Tris couldn’t live like the Abnegation. She’s saying she would rather be brave and choose decide on her own choices, then be told to do something. While showing real life connections, the author shows the joyful and the consequences of making your own decisions.

            There comes a time in each of our lives where we must choose for the better or for the worse. Tris, while still skeptical of choosing her own path, decides to head for Dauntless. “The men and women are very different from what I’m used to, however I must connect.” Veronica Roth shows us the struggles of adapting to a whole new life style, but to do so, you must first connect to those around you in order to create a peaceful environment. Even though it may be strange, choosing your own path allows you to earn a sense of responsibility. “No parents, no brother just me, I get to choose now.” The author shows us that Tris, who always listens to her parent’s guidance, now has a sense of independence and maturity. This shows us that choosing for ourselves isn’t always bad, however responsibility is power.

            Parents nurture and care for their child and, while trying to care for them. However in some odd cases, parent’s guidance doesn’t always help the child, but push them farther away. “The Erudite are bad people, never trust them,” exclaims Tris’s father. She listened, of course but when Caleb, her brother chooses Erudite as his next faction, Tris has no choice but to believe the cruel and judgmental things her parents have been feeding her. “I had no choice, to believe the wicked things they’re capable of.” This shows us that our parents beliefs can commonly make us believe in certain things, without really forming our own opinion.

            Many parents always want to be there for their children. Even though some are, many still rebel just to go against society or their rules. While responsibility is always good, it also comes with price. Using Tris’s experiences, the author allows us to see how maturity and making our own decisions can affect, not only us but everyone around us too. She uses two completely opposite factions to show us the comparison of how much can change, once a child has enough power to decide for themselves what path they want to follow.

"Ashes"

Rebecca silver                                                                                                                                  808

            It’s not unusual for children to experience a divorce and act out as a result of their situation. “Ashes” by Susan Beth Pfeiffer shows the struggles of Ashleigh or Ashes and having to choose between her mother and father while her loyalty and morality is being tested. Through Ashes relationship with her parents, the author shows the reader how issues of a divorce can affect any person.  

            I believe Susan Beth Pfeiffer is showing us how certain relationships can influence us and our decisions for the better or the worse. “I look out the window and saw only ash gray sky. In the cold stillness of the night, I could hear my father’s car keening in the distance “you’re one in a million.” This shows her father’s effect on her and her choices, because he is a big part in her life she looks up to him, therefore making it easier for him to manipulate her. Even though Ashes feels suspicious she does it anyway, believing her dad when he says “you’re one in a million,” showing us that Ashes father is always the outgoing and “positive” person, creating harder for Ashes to deny him.

            Many parents want the best for their children, while trying to steer them in the right direction, however feeding them lies isn’t the way to do so. “Dad had promised me stars for a necklace, unfortunately like all his promises that one never happened,” this tells us that her father has lied before, while never actually doing anything about them, simply ignoring them. “He sat next to the door, my stomach hurt in an old familiar way” this shows the importance of lies, has a role in the story, through out the sequence of the book Ashes father had never been entirely truthful. The author shows us that even smaller, less harmful lies should always go into consideration, by comparing Ashes fathers lies, and how they affect her.

            Even though we may or may not know it, our parent’s choices can affect us in sometimes dramatic ways. Ashes parents’ choice to get a divorce shows us that many parents choices will also affect children, whether it’s as small as leaving for a while or as big as getting a divorce. Using Ashes situation, the author shows us the complex ways Ashes has been affected by her own parents decisions, while comparing that to real life situations, such as our own.

            Many parents are there for their children and would always steer them to the right path however, Ashes and her father are different. While her father doesn’t always tell the truth, steals and manipulates her, it shows that the decisions made by her parents as well as ours can have a dramatic influence on all of us. Ashes father may seem well; however he’s leading her down a dangerous path while she believes he’s doing it for the greater good. Susan Beth Pfeiffer shows us that parents and over all relationships can have certain effects on people.

Divergent

    "Divergent" by Veronica Roth features "Tris" prior, a 16 year old girl who was born into abnegation, one of the five factions. Abnegation focuses on selflessness as well as simplicity, as shown by there grey clothes, the same hair and even the same streets. However when Tris takes the aptitude test, a test that decides which faction your really meant to be in, she discovers that shes not only abnegation but also Eurodite, which focuses on technology and knowledge and dauntless who believe in courage and are the risk takers, making her divergent. Many warn her about being divergent, for fear of being shunned and not being normal, which many factions believe one should be. Each faction provides the city with resources and jobs to create a peaceful and healthy city. But on the day of the choosing ceremony, she must make an important decision, will she leave her family? Or follow her own destiny?
      The choosing ceremony is one of the most important any person will ever make. It decides there fate, there destiny and where they will belong for eternity. I believe Tris chose Dauntless, the bold risk takers because she was tired of her quiet gray life. She believed that taking a chance isn't bad as the abnegation do. She wished to be just as bold and daring as them and to get more comfortable with other environments. I believe she choose her fate, even though its not what her parents wanted her to do, she believed the right thing was to be in dauntless and to trust her own instinct. I also believe once she joined the dauntless you saw small changes of how she behaved and acted. For example, she got a tattoo, that her parents would never approve of. She also dressed in heavy black dresses while wearing more dark makeup and letting her self become a little more independent.
    Tris who was at first afraid of even looking at a mirror is now a take charge kind of girl that we see becoming more comfortable with herself too. The abnegation believe looking in a mirror promotes selfishness, which is something Tris would never do, is now becoming a little more unwinded and laid back. shes afraid, of course, but that doesn't let it stop her. she was the one to first jump the building during initiation and the one to climb the ferris wheel when no one would. She didn't let her fears get in the way and believed she  could do it even when she thought she didn't want to. We see her adapting to her new environment and changing not only her appearance but her attitude too.