MAIN BOOK STUDIES | bookcensorship

What is the basis of banning books about suicide? How realistic is the presumption that reading a book about suicide will lead to suicide? Are these books banned or censored because there is scientific research that shows they will increase suicide rates? Who is at risk of committing suicide once they’ve read a book about it? Consider these questions as you read about books that have been banned or censored. Come to your own conclusions and feel free to leave comments or questions at the bottom.
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The Sorrows of Young Werther by Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe, 1774, Germany

One of the earliest known associations between the media and suicide arose from Goethe’s novel Die Leiden des jungen Werthers The Sorrows of Young Werther. Soon after its publication in 1774, young men began to mimic the main character by dressing in yellow pants and blue jackets. In the novel, Werther shoots himself with a pistol after he is rejected by the woman he loves. Shortly after its publication there were many reports of young men using the same method to kill themselves in an act of hopelessness. This resulted in the book being banned in several places. Hence the term "Werther effect," used in the technical literature to designate copycat suicides. The term was coined by researcher David Phillips in 1974 (Wikipedia, 'Index Librorum Prohibitorum’).

“Fiction, it seemed, could be fatal. Reading Goethe’s inflammatory tale of how one adoring young man ended his anguish by pistol had led another to do the same. At least that was the conclusion many newspaper readers reached when printers from Vermont to Virginia splashed this young German immigrant’s story across their pages in the summer of 1807” (Bell, p 93, 2011). One of the first persons to question the Werther Effect was Emile Durkheim in his 1897 book Suicide. He concluded, “a few people with suicidal tendencies might be led over the brink by news of a nearby suicide, but he asserted that most resulting suicides probably would have occurred anyway, with time. In the long run, he insisted, “Imitative” suicides could have no appreciable effect on a nation’s suicide rate” (Phillips, D. P., 1985). I agree entirely with this and question a country's decision to ban a book without proof of its detriment particularly as it impedes reader's freedom to choose and writer's freedom of speech.

THE BOOKS

Appointment in Samarra by John OHara, 1935, Australia

The main character, Julian commits suicide by carbon monoxide poisoning from his car. In the book, the author portrays the aftermath of his suicide as it relates to those left behind. As the loved ones try to make sense of the suicide, they can’t because they never thought the character seemed any less happy than everyone else. Suicide risk factors can be learned through this novel, especially in how it represents obvious and non-obvious signs. Julian may have seemed “happy”, but he also had angry outbursts, violence, and heavy drinking. Interestingly, the book was banned from being mailed in the US after the US Dept. of the Post Office deemed it to have obscene language. Who knew that was even possible?! The Comstock Law from 1873 prohibited the mailing of lewd materials. O'Hara's book was considered to be obscene and with the law still in effect in the 1940s, the Postal service regulated the shipping of Appointment in Samarra.

Brave New World by Aldous Huxley, 1932, UK

“The book describes a fictitious world where "perfection" is taken to a new level. Brave New World fantasizes about a future place, Utopia, where everyone is controlled and most people are brainwashed. Birth is a scientific procedure. People are taught to think a certain way when they are young and then programmed to be happy and to enjoy life. Art and religion aren’t allowed. They can’t love, but the government encourages them to have fun and have lots of sex. This book takes a futuristic view to an extreme to show how dangerous control and lack of individuality can be” (http://bit.ly/1GqsNVu).

This 1932 dystopian classic has weathered repeated assaults against its alleged negativity and the incorporation of drugs, sexuality and suicide as part of a plot against social freedom. Shortly after its release the book was quickly banned by Ireland and London. Several decades later, the book still remains controversial. In 2010, the ALA included the book in their top ten books Americans tried the hardest to ban. Challenged, but retained in the South Texas Independent School District in Mercedes, TX (2003). Parents objected to the adult themes—sexuality, drugs, suicide—that appeared in the novel. Huxley's book was part of the summer Science Academy curriculum. The board voted to give parents more control over their children's choices by requiring principals to automatically offer an alternative to a challenged book (http://bit.ly/1anaFhv). I remember reading this book in school and don't recall any controversy within my school at that time regarding this book. The books underlying themese are not unlike popular teen fiction published more recently.

“This novel has been challenged by many for its use of suicide in the plot. The way suicide is referred to in this book is eye-opening rather than misleading. In the ending of Brave New World, John the Savage commits suicide in the lighthouse where he decides to stay after being exiled from the World State. More specifically, one night , he betrayed his morals near the lighthouse by indulging in soma and orgy-porgy. The next morning he "suddenly remembered - everything" and due to guilt and shame, commits suicide(259). This signifies the importance of staying committed to your values without being pressured into going against them. Students can also be warned against the possible life-threatening side effects of drugs, or soma in this case. For example, in the novel, after taking soma, John lost control of his individuality as he was completely zoned into another world. Unconsciously, he took steps against his ethics. Instead of being looked at as promoting suicide, Brave New World can be looked at as a subtle warning against it” (http://bit.ly/1cayIBB).

The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath, 1971, US

“Esther Greenwood: brilliant, beautiful, enormously talented, and successful, but slowly going under -- maybe for the last time. Sylvia Plath masterfully draws the reader into Esther's breakdown with such intensity that Esther's insanity becomes completely real and even rational, as probable and accessible an experience as going to the movies. Such deep penetration into the dark and harrowing corners of the psyche is an extraordinary accomplishment and has made The Bell Jar a haunting American classic” (http://bit.ly/1caED9u).

The Bell Jar is the only novel by Sylvia Plath, and it is famous not only because it offers shocking insight into her mind and art, but also because it is a coming-of-age story--told in the first person by Esther Greenwood, who struggles with her mental illness. Her suicide attempts made the book a target for book censors (http://abt.cm/1Ob5HmZ).

Some say that the portrayal of suicidal tendencies and attempted suicide scene makes the book inappropriate to read for it may entice readers to do the same. “The reasons why this eye- opening novel has been banned span from ‘it encourages suicide’ and ‘it encourages a non- traditional way of life (mainly for women). As far as this novel ‘encouraging’ suicide that’s positively absurd. The Bell Jar does not encourage suicide it simply showcases how deep depression can be, how strong a hold it can have on you and gives you a firsthand view of what it means to unravel” (http://bit.ly/1caED9u). I did find this book to be haunting in nature and I can see that it may be too mature for younger people. However, the openness towards the issues of mental illness and suicide open up conversations for those sturuggling and thus can be an asset.

Ordinary People by Judith Guest, 1976, US

This is a story of a family attempting to come to terms with the death of one son and the attempted suicide of another son who blamed himself for his older brother’s drowning death. The book portrays what Conrad (the boy who attempted suicide) went through as he grieved his brother’s death and how he dealt with his own guilt and depression. Prior to his attempt nobody seemed to pay attention to any of his warning signs, but when he returns from the hospital afterwards, everyone is monitoring him and watching for any changes in behavior. The end of the novel leaves the reader to believe that Conrad has recovered and overcame the issues causing him to attempt suicide.

In the 1980s, the novel was banned from junior and senior English classrooms across the country for a few reasons, one being suicide. One parent objected the topic of suicide and noted that there “is enough tragedy in the world” to not have to subject students to it in their reading (Sova, D., 1998). The book continues to be banned in some schools and was on ALA’s top 100 most frequently challenge list in 1990-2000.

Guest writes about the book, “I wanted to explore the anatomy of depression, how it works and why it happens to people; how you can go from being down but able to handle it, to being so down that you don’t even want to handle it, and then taking a radical step with your life — trying to commit suicide — and failing at that, coming back to the world and having to "act normal" when, in fact, you have been forever changed” (http://bit.ly/1Cy7IAS).

Final Exit: The Practicalities of Self-Deliverance and Assisted Suicide for the Dying by Derek Humphry 1991, US

This book gives a full overview of how to plan and commit assisted suicide for terminally ill patients and their medical caregivers. The controversy arises in the debate on whether someone should have the right to choose when and how to end their life when terminally ill. Humphry describes the book as being “a how-to-guide for terminally ill people who wish to end their lives.” The book is banned in France, but remains in print in 12 languages. In the United States, it has not been nearly as controversial as in other countries like Australia, New Zealand, and Great Britain. In Great Britain, assisted suicide is illegal so publishers will not publish it there, but imported books are allowed. Banning of the book is less about the book and more about the act in which it describes because it is unlawful in many areas. Some may even compare this to a book that taught people how to murder. I see this as a case of taking the issue out of context. Humphry isn’t telling all terminally ill or non-ill people that killing themselves is always the best option. Instead, he educates the reader and their loved ones on how to decide what is the best option for them. He also has a disclaimer that the book “is intended to be read by a mature adult who is suffering from a terminal illness and is considering the option of rational suicide if and when suffering becomes unbearable” (Sova, D., 1998).

We All Fall Down by Robert Cormier Dell, 1991, US

This book has a bizarre plot and the suicide that is represented in this book is even more bizarre. A young girl and her family suffer the devastation of a break-in. Their neighbor saw the four teens that did it and plans to track them down. He sees the young girl failing in love with one of them and kidnaps her. He ties her up, tells her that her boyfriend is one of the four that broke into her home, and then he commits suicide in front of her. Other than making no sense to me, the book is said to be a moral story that prompts the reader to “reflect on issues of broken families, personal responsibility, violence, and guilt.” I don’t see how this book romanticizes or encourages suicide in any way. Several schools have banned the book for it’s violent themes and cuss words. One school said the decision was more to do with it not being age-appropriate, which I can see, however the author argued that controversial materials belong in classrooms so that teachers can “guide students in their understanding of the issues.” Not a bad point! Another school director stated, “We are walking a fine line here between appropriateness and censorship. I’m not sure there is an easy answer” (Foerstel, H., 2008).

The Complete Manual of Suicide by Wataru Tsurumi, 1993, Japan

A quick Google search for this book title retrieves countless free online PDF versions. Wikipedia places the book in the genre of how-to. The book explicitly describes and analyzes 11 methods of suicide and gives details on the pain involved, the effort, the appearance of the body after the fact, and how lethal each method is. The book is purely a manual on how to commit suicide and not at all about why or if someone should. While it neither encourages or discourages suicide, it has phrasing that some say have increased suicide fatalities by rating methods as being “completely painless” or a “marvelous experience.” The book is aimed to help someone successfully kill him or herself, so it’s safe to guess that this book has indeed helped people complete suicide. Before reading the book, a person may already be considering suicide, but not know all the possible ways. Once gaining that information, they are more likely to act upon it and be successful. Japan did not censor the book, but did restrict sales of the books to minors stating it was harmful to youth. Quite frankly, I fail to see the benefit of this book to anyone of any age (The Complete Manual of Suicide, Wikipedia).

The Giver by Lois Lowry, 1993, US

This book is about the utopian future society where poverty, crime, sickness, and unemployment are a thing of the past. Jonas, a 12-year-old, is chosen to be the next Receiver of Memories; but Jonas soon learns that the price of this knowledge is more than he expected. Emotional depth is gone from humanity as the result of the conversion to “Sameness”- an obvious vision of the effects conformity has on humanity as a whole. As the Receiver of Memories, it is Jonas’ task to store all the memories of life before Sameness.

The Giver won the Newbery Medal in 1994 even though there was criticism among many that the book was inappropriate for young children. The book is regularly assigned at middle schools in the United States, Canada, and Australia (http://bit.ly/1Gqq3Y6). It has been on ALA’s most frequently challenged and banned books-list from 1990 – 2009. In 1995 a parent in Franklin County, Kansas, challenged it for themes of murder, suicide, and “the degradation of motherhood and adolescence.” The book was eventually removed from school libraries, but remained available for use at a teachers’ discretion. In 2007- Parents in the Mt. Diablo School District in Concord, California, were offended by descriptions of pill-popping, suicide, and lethal injections given to babies and the elderly. Some have claimed that the book encourages suicide in scenes where the Nurturers “release” newborns and elderly; but it’s that very disregard for life that the dystopian future society imposes that should be discussed and questioned. Being indifferent and ignorant of the subject is just as bad, if not worse, than blatantly tolerating it (http://bit.ly/1Gqq3Y6).

With opponents criticizing the book's failure to clearly explain that suicide is not a solution to life's problems, I am reminded of movies that have disclaimers. Like the Fast and Furious movies, usually before and after the movie, there is a warning saying “do not attempt these stunts...” Are we going to reach a day when every book has a disclaimer or a rating system like movies? “This book is PG-13. Do not read if under 13 unless a parent says you can.” Or if a book is about murder or suicide, should there be a warning saying “Do not commit murder or suicide.”

Baby Be-Bop by Francesca Lia Block, 1995, US

In this book, the young character Dirk struggles with coming to terms with his homosexuality in a world full of hate. He also learns that both his parents committed suicide, instead of having died in an accident as he’d thought. The book was made into a movie, which has been the spotlight of the most controversy and censorship. The two shooters of the 1999 Columbine School shooting killed 13 people and then killed themselves. In the notes they left behind, they mentioned that they’d watched the Baby Be-Bop movie. The family of one of the victims sued the filmmakers but the lawsuit was dropped after the judge stated that the two gunmen were responsible for the deaths, not the book (movie). More than a decade later, in 2009, the book was also subjected to banning and burning in Wisconsin because of its underlying themes. The basis of my view on not banning this book lies in the evidence that the book was written for young adults and can empower them to be unafraid of their sexuality.

The Pact by Jodi Picoult, 1999, US

Jodi Picoult is known for her books on tough topics and The Pact is no exception. Her books often dig deeper into the minds and issues of teenagers like suicide, depression, school shootings, children’s rights, and teen pregnancy. The Pact has been censored and banned in various school districts because of its focus on suicide. It was even pulled in Picoult’s hometown, Hanover, NH. Picoult writes about the book, “it is not a comfortable book. It’s about teen suicide and depression, and about the fact that parents don’t know their children as well as they think they do. Those who have read it tell me it’s because the book tells of how teenagers think, whom they love, what they fear, what they hope” (Picoult, J., 2005).

The book was not written for the young adult readers, yet it has steadily become a popular teen read. It didn’t take long for school librarians and teachers to start including it on their shelves and in their curriculum because they found a valuable message within it. In her article, Writing a Challenging Read, Picoult compares the book to Romeo and Juliet and says, “I’m quite sure that if Romeo and Juliet is banned from Keene High School, William Shakespeare won’t come here to complain (2005).

I have read a number of her books, including The Pact and with each book; Picoult brings the reader an eye-opening perspective on all sorts of issues present in everyday life. The issues are real and as one review states, “No amount of censoring changes it; the best parents can do is educate their children on what's out there and how to deal with it.” The pact attracts teens for a reason. It’s a book that allows them to explore love, life, and death from the mindset of teens while also seeing how their actions impact those around them. I think it is an appropriate young adult book.

The Book of Bunny Suicides: Little, Fluffy Rabbits Who Just Don’t Want to Live Anymore by Andy Riley, 2003, US

The title of this book Is enough to peek your interest! The book is black and white comic type book meant for mature adult humor, not for young kids. In the book, bunnies are depicted killing themselves in multiple and bizarre ways. In China, the book was challenged and some store stopped selling it after it was blamed for the suicide of a 12-year-old and attempts by 4 other teenagers. The 12-year-old’s parents stated he jumped from their 6th floor apartment building. The fear was that children would try to imitate what they saw the bunnies doing. One bookstore manager stated, "The cartoon bunny's attempts to commit suicide are ridiculous. They're obviously meant to be funny," she said, adding, "The pressures those poor children face come from reality, not a comic book” (Service, M., 2008).

In 2009, a parent refused to return the book the middle school after her son brought it home claiming it was repulsive and she intended to burn it. The school wanted her to return the book so they could at least review it, but she refused. The story caught national news and a couple dozen people sent the school new copies of the book. I have no desire to read such a book and I find no humor in it. However, humor is subjective and very personal. I believe it is best suited for adults and should be censored or banned from youth.

Killing Me Softly: Voluntary Euthanasia and the Road to the Peaceful Pill by Phillip Nitschke, 2005, Australia

Phillip Nitschke is known as “Dr Death” because he is a supporter of euthanasia or assisted suicide and has published books about the topic. This book in particular has been under fire because people have blamed it for causing the deaths of their loved ones due to the comprehensive information and promotion of the lethal drug, Nembutal. In Australia, a family of a suicide victim wants the country to ban the book and says it is the reason Erin Berg is dead. However, Berg had mental illness including depression and was already undergoing psychiatric treatment when she stumbled upon this book and ultimately chose to buy the drug to end her life. Would she not have committed suicide if she hadn’t read the book? Berg’s sister says the book is to blame for her sister’s death, "at the end of the path was a loaded gun, provided courtesy of Philip Nitschke. It wasn't intended specifically for Erin, but it was there for her to use regardless” (Goodenough, P., 2008). I suppose I could argue that the book may have helped her choose how to commit suicide, but I believe her decision to end her life began before she picked up this book. There’s also a great difference between euthanasia and suicide. This book and this author does not support or encourage suicide; instead he fights for people’s right to choose how they die when they are already dying. Berg contacted Nitschke a few months before killing herself, and Nitschke explained to her that she didn’t qualify for assisted suicide and offered her no help in ending her life. He believes her death to be a tragedy.

The Peaceful Pill Handbook by Phillip Nitschke and Fiona Stewart, 2007, US

The book gives advice on how to commit suicide and also explores the legal and more aspects of suicide and euthanasia. There are sections with how-to instructions for varying suicide methods. The authors target the seriously ill and elderly and want to provide a peaceful way for them to die. It was also launched online so that people in areas that the book has been banned can still gain access to the information the book provides. Nitschke believes that the book provides provision of accurate assisted suicide information that can empower people to make better decisions. 'It cannot be argued that the giving of good information prepares people down the path of suicide any more than the giving of good information propels them in the other direction because once people know the facts they can act in their best interests,' Dr Nitschke said (Thorne, F., 2008).

Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher, 2007, US

“Jay Asher is the author of "Thirteen Reasons Why," a young adult novel about a teen who commits suicide and leaves behind audio recordings sharing 13 reasons she decided to end her life. "Thirteen Reasons Why" was the third most-challenged book in 2012, according to the ALA. The very day I found out 'Thirteen Reasons Why' was the third most-challenged book, I received an e-mail from a reader claiming my book kept her from committing suicide. I dare any censor to tell that girl it was inappropriate for her to read my book” (http://cnn.it/1FjeHVK).

In the book the majority of students portrayed “are the ones who look the other way, the ones who laugh at someone else’s expense because it’s “me or them” in the popularity game of high school social life, and feel that they can take advantage of someone’s body, emotion, or mentality because it’s okay as long as they feel as if no one “really” gets hurt. That’s exactly why Thirteen Reasons should remain in schools and on bookshelves everywhere, to be read by- and for- those individuals; for people to realize that every action- or inaction- has consequences. If we do not stand against acts that hurt others, we are not an “innocent bystander” but an accomplice to those causing the pain. The author, himself, summed up the importance and impact of this novel in an interview when he commented that, “Writing this book made me realize how fascinated I am by the way people interact... and the obstacles that keep us from understanding each other better” (http://bit.ly/1a76CW8)

Despite the fact that the novel made it to #1 on the New York Times bestseller list, it also managed to be in the top 10 banned books in 2012. "It has challenged a lot, because parents are concerned that it's about suicide," Stripling said. She added that the American Library Association monitors research on the effects of reading materials, and has found no evidence that reading about suicide encourages teenagers to take their own lives (http://bit.ly/1Cy1e52).

Fall for Anything by Courtney Summers, 2010, US

After an 11 year old brought a book home from the school library and exclaimed, “Mommy there’s cuss words in this book.” The mom began the rally to get the book banned. She stated that the “f” word is said 72 times and there are slang references to genitals, one passage even referencing a young boy holding his “dick” and grabbing his “balls.” Based on the language, I agree, it is not suitable for a middle school. The school defended the book by saying it was intended for older students (yet it’s a middle school). They also said it was the student’s choice to check it out. The mom brought up that there should be a way to prevent a young student from checking out a book not suitable for their age. Somewhat like a rated-R movie cannot be checked out by people younger than 18, perhaps the book industry should adopt similar rating systems. The book is a young adult novel with a reading level of age 14 and up. The child in question in this case was only 11.

I agree with the parent’s request to remove the book from the middle school. While it’s not necessarily because the suicide content is inappropriate, instead the vulgar language is simply not suitable for a young school student. The book is intended to portray the grief and emotions that arise after a loved one commits suicide. Such language takes away any educational value on the subject of suicide or grieving.