Banned Books Week Special Trivia Quiz

Answer: Homer's "The Odyssey"

As early as 387 BC, Plato suggested an abridged (censored) version of "The Odyssey" for younger readers. Homer's "The Iliad" and "The Odyssey" have been used for centuries to teach children about the myths and legends of ancient Greece.

Answer: Mark Twain

The books are, of course, "Tom Sawyer" and "The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn". These books are banned in some schools because they are said to contain racial stereotypes. They also contain the word "nigger" which is offensive today although it was acceptable in Mark Twain's day. Another criticism is that Twain's books use, and thereby encourage, bad grammar.

Answer: John Steinbeck

The book in question was Steinbeck's classic "The Grapes of Wrath". Other reasons for its ban include "obscene language" and "unfavourable depiction of a former minister". Another of John Steinbeck's books, "Of Mice and Men", has also been banned for similar reasons.

Answer: "Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone" (J. K. Rowling)

J. K. Rowling lived on welfare for nearly a year while she wrote her first book, "Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone" during 1996-1997. It is also known by the alternative title of "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone". Some of the criticisms which have led to the Harry Potter series being banned include the promotion of witchcraft and wizardry, the depiction of violence and brutality (for example, the death of Harry's parents) and that the books are "full of hate".

Answer: "The Diary of Anne Frank"

"The Diary of Anne Frank" has been banned for being too depressing, for sexual references (Anne discusses her thoughts on intimate subjects), for Anne's views on religious tolerance and because "Anne's criticisms of her mother undermines adult authority". There has even been the accusation that the diaries are not genuine.

Answer: Black Like Me

The theme of racial prejudice is obviously enough to cause it to be controversial but it was also banned because of offensive language. After the book's release in 1960, Griffin received anonymous death threats. In his home town of Mansfield, Texas, angry residents hanged him in effigy, "branding the native son a traitor to the white race". Griffin moved his family to Mexico to ensure their safety.

Answer: All of these statements are true.

Many of Shakespeare's plays have been banned. During his lifetime, some of his plays were banned when they offended the nobility. Stalin disliked the play "Hamlet" so it was not performed in Russia during the post-World War 2 era until his death in 1953.

While the ban was not official, Stalin's disapproval was enough to prevent it being presented on stage. "The Merchant of Venice" has been banned for many times for its anti-semitism. "Twelfth Night" was banned because it involved crossing-dressing (Viola disguises herself as a boy).

Some people thought "Macbeth" would encourage suicide and violence. "Romeo and Juliet" has been banned because it was thought that Romeo and Juliet were unacceptable role models for teenagers.

Answer: The Lorax

"The Lorax" is a story which teaches children about the impact that humans have on the environment and how our actions affect other species. In the story, the greedy Onceler cuts down too many trees, destroys the other animals' homes and pollutes the environment.

The Lorax tries to stop the Onceler but fails. Naturally, people involved in the logging industry felt threatened by the book, claiming it "criminalises the forestry industry".

Answer: Where's Waldo/Wally?

"Where's Waldo?" (also known as "Where's Wally?" in some countries) is a series of books which consist of extremely complex illustrations. The goal is to find Waldo/Wally who is hidden somewhere in each picture. Apparently someone found a tiny figure of a woman lying on a beach wearing a bikini bottom but no top! I wonder if she was easier to find than Waldo/Wally?

Answer: Ralph Waldo Emerson

Ralph Waldo Emerson was a leading American author, philosopher and critic. The other selected authors also provide some interesting quotes on censorship. Oscar Wilde said "An idea that is not dangerous is unworthy of being called an idea at all". Stephen King allegedly told a group of students that "if they hear of a book being banned, they should RUN out and read it to find out what it is that people don't want you to know". Granville Hicks said "A censor is a man who knows more than he thinks you ought to" (although some sources attribute this quote to Dr Laurence Peter).