Blog Post 5

History of Censorship and Classification in Australia

Throughout history, Australia has maintained a standing on censorship, and there has been many acts and regulations, and types of ways that materials have been classified or banned throughout history. These include but not limited to:

1901 - The Department of Trade and Customs received the rights to prohibit the import of indecent, blasphemous or obscene works. 

1967 - The National Literature Board of review was established, they had the responsibility of reviewing books that they deemed unsuitable for release in Australia. 

1974 - The Commonwealth and all states except for Queensland agreed that the Commonwealth would have the responsibility to classify materials. 

1983 - The Commonwealth developed the Classification of Publications Ordinance 1983 (ACT)

1996 - The National Classification Scheme Commenced and a Classification Review Board was developed.

Banned Books in Australia

Throughout Australian History there have been many books that have succumbed to becoming banned in Australia. These have included:

The Room by Hubert Selby (Novel)

This novel was banned by the National Literature Board of Review on the 3^rd of October, 1972. A particular censor described the book as having scenes that are quite impossible to accept as social realism, it was classed as outright pornography. Another censor also thought that civilisation could not exist if all types of pornography are permitted freely. The book was later released on the 17^th of August, 1973.

The Inheritors by Harold Robbins (Novel)

The novel was banned by the national Literature Board of Review on the 12^th of August, 1970. The censors considered the materials to be unacceptable due to the high sexual content of the United States edition, crudity and coarseness which was considered to be unacceptable. It was based on characters living in luxury, and jump in and out of bed with one another and in unlikely combinations. The book was later released in August, 1973.

The Deal: A Novel by G. William Marshall (Novel)

This novel was banned by the National Literature Board of Review on the 16^th of October, 1968. It was considered that that author has attempted to outdo all others, by focussing on the descriptions of copulation and physical violence. It was thought that these details were unnecessary for a literary or dramatic reasons. This edition as well as others were later released on the 27^th of July, 1973.

Reflection of Research:

I experienced some difficulty on this particular blog post. I was initially searching for history of book burning events, but was unable to find real valuable and reliable information to refer to. There were events that were suggested to have happen, therefore I decided to not use this material as they were not reputible source for my research, I continued looking as began to find information relating to more of the censorship side of Australian history, and found some good and new resources to look at for information. 

I used general search engine techniques to get me started, and then found valuable government sites and a literature database that I accessed through the Swinburne Library databases. For my next blog post I am going to look at and try to determine if possible how some events of book burning or censorship in the past have related to determine rules and regulations in the future.

References:

Classification Website 2012, Australian Government, viewed 29 April 2012, <http://www.classification.gov.au/Pages/default.aspx>.

Banned in Australia 2012, Australian Literature Resource, viewed 29 April 2012, < http://www.austlit.edu.au.ezproxy.lib.swin.edu.au/specialistDatasets/Banned>. 

Lyons, Martyn 2011, Books a living history, Thames & Hudson, London.

History of censorship and classification in Australia 2012, Parliament of Australia, viewed 29 April 2012, < http://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Committees/Senate_Committees?url=legcon_ctte/classification_board/report/c02.htm>.

Banned Books Week 2011, Banned Books Week, viewed 3 April 2012, <http://www.bannedbooksweek.org/>.

Blog Post 4

Other ‘Book Burning’ Ceremonies

As previously discussed there can be many reasons behind book burning, majority being a reaction to social conflict and to destroy the views or materials valued by another person. Throughout history there have been many events of book burning, and book burning has often been conducted or planned to be conducted in a ceremonial way, some others events of interest I have found include:

The Ration Book

In 1939 Britain introduced the Ration Book, it was introduced because of the difficulties importing food into Britain during the war. The Ration Book (rationing) remained until 1954, where at midnight on 4 July, restrictions relating to the Ration book was dissolved.

Out of celebration, to no longer being restricted on what they could have a public book burning of the Ration Book was planned. One of the biggest bonfires was expected to be held at Sterling Place, the Essex seat of Lord and Lady Rayleigh, on July 17 with an expectation of over 10,000 book burners. Book burnings were scheduled in a variety of public places throughout the country including a bonfire by the housewives at Maldon, Essex.  A large replica of the Ration Book was also burned by the Minister of Fuel and Power, Geoffrey Lloyd at an open meeting in his area.

National Library of Baghdad

On April 10, 2003 after rumours were in circulation that Saddam was gone, a crowd gathered at the unprotected library. The library was initially looted at this time, but a week later the looters returned in buses, they piled books to burn them, and burnt the library. The heat was so intense from chemicals used it destroyed almost everything. On the second floor of the library, another attack on the Iraqi National Archive. Overall 10 million documents were either looted, or burned. It was an attack of varying proportion, rebels protesting alongside regime loyalists who were intent on destroying evidence of Sadaams atrocities.

Koran Burning

  

More recently Terry Jones a Pastor from Gainesville, Florida planned to burn copies of the Koran in protest to an Islamic Centre being built in lower Manhattan near the September 11 memorial site. After media reports, protests and anger surrounding the planned burning, the pastor’s son Luke Jones announced at a press conference that there would be no Koran burning.

Reflection of research:

It was very interesting to investigate some other book burning or planned booked burning events, and to find out the reasons behind some of them. It still amazes me how many events have occurred throughout  history, it can be hard to narrow it down. I tried the Trove database to find some general information and articles relating to book burning events, and further explored the topics I discovered. I found this a really interesting way to discover things I would not have otherwise known. I also then used reputable news websites to further confirm information. In my next post I will look at the Book Burning and Censorship in Australia, and will see what information I can find about our own countries history on this topic.

References:

Baez F C2008, A universal history of the destruction of books : from Ancient Sumer to Modern Iraq, Atlas & Co, New York. 

BBC News 2012, 1954 : Housewives celebrate end of rationing, BBC On this day 1950-2005, viewed 21 April 2012, <http://news.bbc.co.uk/onthisday/hi/dates/stories/july/4/newsid_3818000/3818563.stm>.

Levitz, J 2010, Terry Jones’s Koran Fire protest plan burns out, The Australian, viewed 21 April 2012, <http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/world/terry-joness-koran-fire-protest-plan-burns-out/story-e6frg6so-1225918479142>.

1954, ‘Britons Plan Mass Book Burning’, Townsville Daily Bulletin (Qld. : 1885 - 1954), p. 2, Trove, viewed 21 April 2012, <http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article62507934>.

1954 'Bonfire for ration books', The Canberra Times (ACT : 1926 - 1954), 11 March, p. 2, Trove, viewed 21 April, 2012, <http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article2911502>.

Knuth, R 2006, Burning books and levelling libraries : extremist violence and cultural destruction, Praeger Publishers, Westport.

Blog Post 3

Censorship – History (Selected Works)

 

Many books throughout history and in current times are censored for various reasons. Some of these reasons may seem acceptable to some, but of offence to others beliefs. It is a hard line to make everyone happy when it comes to censorship. Below are some works that have been suppressed throughout history.

Banned and suppressed based on social grounds, was the Mark Twain novel The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. This novel was original published in London, 1884.

In 1885 the Concord (Massachusetts) Public Library banned the book as they believed it to be “trash suitable only for the slums”. In 1957 the National Association for the Advancement of Coloured People protested the racist aspects of the book. In 1975 the language in reference to African Americans was changed to “slave/servant”. In the 1990’s the debate continues over the language used in the book which has been considered derogatory to African Americans.

Other books which have succumbed to censorship on the basis of social grounds have included: Bridge to Terabithia – Katherine Paterson, James and the Giant Peach – Roald Dahl and Gone with the Wind – Margaret Mitchell.

Banned and suppressed based on political grounds, was the George Orwell novel, Animal Farm which was originally published in England, 1945 and USA, 1946.

In 1968 the New York English Councils Committee of Defence Against Censorship conducted a study in New York State English classrooms, and its findings identified that it was on its list of “problem books”, the book was then banned in 1977 from being displayed at a Moscow, International Book fair. In 2002 the United Arab Emirates banned the book from its schools due to its pictures of alcoholic drinks, and pigs. The ISSR banned the book because of its anti-communist themes, where the USA didn’t approve of its communist materials.

Other books which have succumbed to censorship on the basis of political grounds, include: The Grapes of Wrath – John Steinbeck, Keeping Faith : Memoirs of a President – Jimmy Carter and The Struggle is my Life – Nelson Mandela.

A book that was banned due to sexual grounds, was Lolita written by Vladimir Nabokov and originally published in France 1955, England 1959 and USA  1958.

In 1956 France banned the book as it was classed as filth, and sheer unrestrained pornography. In 1958 a Cincinnati Public Library banned the book also. Argentina banned the book in 1959 as it reflected moral disintegration. In 1960 New Zealand banned the import of the book, under the Customs Act which prohibited books considered indecent. In 1974 South Africa also banned the book as it was perverted.

Other books which have succumbed to censorship on the basis of sexual grounds have included: Rabbit, Run – John Updike, Women in Love – D. H. Lawrence and Ladies in the Parlour – Jim Tully.

Banned Books Week

An event which has been developed to take pride in the freedom of to read, was launched in 1982 in response to a sudden surge in books being challenged by schools, bookstores and libraries. The event is Banned Books Week and it is held in the last week of September where libraries and bookstores draw attention to the problem of censorship through displays and events.

A YouTube video developed by Gottesman Libraries in celebration of Banned Books Week.

Reflection of Research:

It was very fascinating finding this information, I found so many books and could understand some of the reasoning’s behind the books censorship but on the other hand others were just crazy.

Through looking at websites, and books I found so much information it was hard to condense it down. I used general searches to find sources, and then looked further into finding a more reputable source for information. I also found out about Banned Books Week which I had previously heard of, but it was great to find more information on the event and it’s reasoning’s.

It amazes me how much information is out there, and seeing how different countries may ban/censor the same book but for completely different reasons. For instance in the case of Animal Farm, anti-communist in one country, communist views in another.

I have through this post discovered the term “challenged books”, which is of interest to me and I hope to be able to find out a bit more about the process of challenging books in my upcoming posts. 

References:

Sova, DB c1998, Banned books : literature suppressed on sexual grounds, Facts on File, New York.

 Karolides, NJ c1998, Banned books : literature suppressed on political grounds, Facts on File, New York.

Sova, DB c1998, Banned books : literature suppressed on social grounds, Facts on File, New York.

Portland Community College 2012, Banned books, Portland Community College Library, viewed 2 April 2012, <http://www.pcc.edu/library/news/banned_books.html>.

Banned Books Week 2011, Banned Books Week, viewed 3 April 2012, <http://www.bannedbooksweek.org/>.

American Library Association 2012, Banned and/or challenged books from the Radcliff Publishing course top 100 novels of the 20th century, American Library Association, viewed 4 April 2012, <http://www.ala.org/advocacy/banned/frequentlychallenged/challengedclassics/reasonsbanned>.

GottesmanLibraries 2009, Banned Books Week 2009, 11 August, viewed 4 April 2012. <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4zZBqIcnU2k&list=UUDtMYyZDE9ltWIWXyY0XYXQ&index=2&feature=plcp>.

Gottesman Libraries 2012, Gottesman Libraries Teachers College Columbia University, viewed 4 April 2012, <http://library.tc.columbia.edu/>.

Blog Post 2

Book Burning - What is it?

Book burning is the ritual of destroying books through fire. Book burning is often conducted in a public context, and includes an element of censorship. Book Burning can usually be attributed to a cultural, religious or political opposition to the material included in the book.

This is a photograph of the book burning in Opera Square, Berlin, Germany, 10 May 1933
 
Censorship of books - What is it?

Censorship of books is the act of changing, suppressing or prohibiting writings which are considered to be obscene, blasphemous or politically unacceptable. Many books throughout history and in current times are banned or suppressed on the basis of sexual, religious, political and social grounds. The banning and suppression of books can vary from country to country, due to the varying social expectations of each country.

Book Burning History – Selective Timeline

There have been many reasons throughout history for the reasoning of this act, majority appear to be the reaction to a social conflict where strife has led to both sides to commit acts of violence against one another, and this has been accompanied by the destruction of books that relate to the opposite party having valued. Below is a list of events that I have selected showing book burning, in history.

525 B.C.E       The Egyptian libraries are destroyed by the Persians

213 B.C.E       The unifier of China decrees the annihilation of all writings.

12 B.C.E         Alexandria is burned. This is the date on which Caesar is said to have

destroyed the Great Library.

57 C.E             The books of Ephesus are destroyed

5^th Century

554                  The Emperor Yuan burns his library

1258                Baghdad’s thirty-six libraries are destroyed by the Mongols.

1309                The Jewish libraries of Paris are burned

1529                All Aztec books in Mexico are destroyed

1841                The Library of Congress is burned by the British

1933                The Nazis burn books in Berlin, followed by several other sites

1981                The Jaffna Library in Sri Lanka is burned

2003                Fire, pillage and simple destruction claim almost all of the Iraqi libraries

following the American ‘libervasion’.

Reflection of research:

For this blog post I used a variety of resources to obtain the information in this post, including books, websites and images. I also used general search enquiries to get me started on what information I could focus on, and to find alternate search terms such as biblioclasm, libricide and Nazi Book Fires. 

After finding information using general search techniques I then further clarified information by finding and using reputable sources. I used published books and online reference material, from both my public library and Swinburne Library Databases. I also found the website for the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum which provided information and was used to validate the photograph for this post.

I am finding this to be a very interesting topic, with so much information being discovered. I am trying to keep to my research brief and focus on the book burning and censorship in general throughout history.

References:

Censorship 2012, Encyclopaedia Brittanica Online, viewed 21 March 2012, <http://www.britannica.com.ezproxy.lib.swin.edu.au/EBchecked/topic/101977/censorship>.

MccGwire, S 1999, Censorship : changing attitudes 1900-2000, Wayland Publishers, Sussex.

Knuth, R 2006, Burning books and levelling libraries : extremist violence and cultural destruction, Praeger Publishers, Westport.

Polastron, LX 2007, Books on fire : the tumultuous story of the world’s great libraries, Thames & Hudson, London. 

United States Holocaust Memorial Museum 2011, Book burning, Holocaust Encyclopedia, viewed 21 March 2012, <http://www.ushmm.org/wlc/en/?ModuleId=10005143>.