The Warsaw High School Times

Throughout history, literature has been a battleground for ideas that reflect society’s deepest anxieties and conflicts. Books have been censored, banned, or sometimes even burned because they challenge some sort of authority, question societal norms, or address topics deemed too controversial by those in power. The reasons behind book censorship reveal not just historical power struggles but also the fears of different eras and generations. From religious suppression in the Middle Ages to modern debates over topics like identity and political correctness, the history of banned books shows us a fascinating insight into societal fears, both past and present.

Censorship in literature dates back to ancient times. One of the earliest known cases is the Trial of Socrates (399 BC) in Ancient Greece. He was accused of corrupting the youth of Athens and “failing to acknowledge the gods that the city acknowledges.” His method of questioning established norms made him a target of political elites who saw his teachings as dangerous. He was sentenced to death by drinking poison. In Ancient China, Qin Shi Huang, the first emperor of a unified China, following the advice of his chief adviser Li Si, ordered most previously existing books to be burned just to avoid scholars’ comparison of his reign with the past (213 BC). Then, according to the later Records of the Grand Historian (a Chinese historical text that is the first of the Twenty-Four Histories of imperial China), the following year, Qin Shi Huang had 460 scholars buried alive for owning the forbidden books. In Egypt, pharaohs often erased records and inscriptions of previous rulers to rewrite history. One of the most famous cases was Pharaoh Akhenaten (14th century BC), who attempted to introduce monotheism – the worship of Aten, the sun god. After his death, his name and religious reforms were systematically erased from monuments and documents.

The Roman Catholic Church maintained the Index Librorum Prohibitorum (List of Prohibited Books), which was a changing list of publications deemed heretical or contrary to morality by the Sacred Congregation of the Index. Catholics were forbidden to print or read them, subject to the local bishop. The Index was active from 1560 to 1966. It banned thousands of book titles and blacklisted publications, including the works of Europe’s intellectual elites. For example, all works of Machiavelli, some of Montesquieu, Voltaire, and Rousseau, and, of course, Darwin with his “Zoonomia; or the Laws of Organic Life,” as well as Nicolaus Copernicus with “De revolutionibus orbium coelestium” (On the Revolutions of the Celestial Spheres).

During the Enlightenment, censorship became a political instrument. Writers like the previously mentioned Voltaire and Rousseau faced suppression for advocating individual rights and democracy. Monarchies and religious institutions feared that books questioning authority could lead to revolution and, well, they were right. The spread of radical ideas through literature helped to fuel movements like the French and American Revolutions.

In the 19th and early 20th centuries, literature that addressed taboo subjects or criticized social structures was also frequently banned. Harriet Beecher Stowe’s “Uncle Tom’s Cabin” from 1852 was prohibited in the Southern United States for its anti-slavery message, demonstrating how literature could challenge deeply ingrained economic and racial systems. James Joyce’s “Ulysses” from 1922 was banned as well in the U.S. and Britain due to its sexual content and experimental style. Similarly, D.H. Lawrence’s “Lady Chatterley’s Lover” from 1928 was banned for obscenity, reflecting societal discomfort with discussions of sexuality, especially when it comes to women. Even children’s books were not really safe. “Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland” was banned in China in 1931 because authorities believed animals should not be portrayed as equals to humans, fearing it would undermine social hierarchies.

In the 20th century, book censorship has drastically shifted toward political ideology. During the Nazi regime, thousands of books were burned, including those by Jewish, communist, and liberal authors. Books like Erich Maria Remarque’s “All Quiet on the Western Front” were banned for showing the realities of war, rather than glorifying nationalism. In the United States, the 1950s Red Scare has led to the suppression of left-wing literature. George Orwell’s “1984” and Aldous Huxley’s “Brave New World” were censored for their critiques of government control. Meanwhile, in the Soviet Union, authors like Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn faced censorship and exile for exposing the realities of Russian totalitarian rule. As civil rights movements gained momentum, books addressing race, gender, and sexuality also faced bans. Maya Angelou’s “I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings” was frequently challenged for its honest depiction of racism and sexual abuse. Harper Lee’s To “Kill a Mockingbird”, from 1960, which is probably my personal favorite book, is one of the most frequently banned and challenged books in the U.S. While it is considered a masterpiece of American literature, its themes of racism, injustice, and morality have made it a target of censorship for decades. It has been banned and challenged because it forces readers to confront difficult truths about race, justice, and human morality. Even though some argue that its language and themes are outdated or problematic, many see it as essential for understanding historical and present-day racial injustice.

While in today’s world explicit government censorship has declined in many democratic countries, book banning remains an unsettled issue. In the 21st century, the most frequently challenged books often address issues of race, gender identity, and LGBTQ+ themes. Books like “The Hate U Give” by Angie Thomas have been removed from schools and libraries, reflecting ongoing societal debates over inclusivity, representation, and the influence literature should have on sometimes very young readers. Together with the rise of the digital age, new forms of censorship have begun to appear. Governments and corporations can suppress books through digital blacklists, algorithmic de-ranking, or limiting access to e-books. In countries with strict authoritarian regimes, censorship still remains a very powerful instrument to control public discourse, as we unfortunately can see it in China’s suppression of books on democracy and human rights.

The history of banned books demonstrates that literature is not just entertainment, but a really strong force capable of shaping societies, challenging injustices, and inspiring change. The books that have been censored over the centuries are often the very ones that provoke the most thought and cause the biggest progress. Ultimately, censorship reveals more about those in power than the books themselves. Whether driven by religious dogmas, political ideology, or cultural anxieties, the act of banning books exposes the fears and insecurities of a society. As long as literature continues to push boundaries, it will remain both a target of censorship and a strong instrument for resistance.

In a world where information is more accessible than ever, the question remains: Should we fear the ideas in books, or should we fear those who try to suppress them?

Bibliography

https://historyofinformation.com/detail.php?id=2491

https://www.thecollector.com/akhenaten-monotheism/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Index_Librorum_Prohibitorum

https://www.britannica.com/topic/Uncle-Toms-Cabin/Major-themes-and-influences

https://time.com/6238284/lady-chatterleys-lover-history-censorship/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aleksandr_Solzhenitsyn

https://www.history.com/articles/why-to-kill-a-mockingbird-keeps-getting-banned

https://www.thelist.com/1117204/the-real-reason-the-hate-u-give-became-a-banned-book/