Check Your Facts
You didn't know there was a whole week dedicated to banned books? In my happy little town they celebrate Banned Book Week in several cool ways. They had an amazing guest speaker, Margaret Atwood.
They had a read-in where people were invited to sit on the college lawn for 24 hours and listen to passages read from banned books. It seemed like mostly students did this. Anything to sit on the lawn and skip class, am I right? Oh, what was that? Something about the first amendment?
My town also had a movie festival for movies based on banned books. I went with my brother. It was held in an olde theatre with a dusty red velvet curtain framing the stage and balcony seating. We totally sat in the balcony.
When they announced the movie, they told us where the extra credit sign-in sheet was located: on a music stand in the lobby. Only later did I realize the import of this detail. Professors had bribed students to attend. Why? Well, let's just say, after watching the entire movie, I did want extra credit!
When they announced the movie, they told us where the extra credit sign-in sheet was located: on a music stand in the lobby. Only later did I realize the import of this detail. Professors had bribed students to attend. Why? Well, let's just say, after watching the entire movie, I did want extra credit!
I could have used some bonus incentive. The movie was 1984. If you've seen it, you're chuckling right now. I don't think it was banned for content. Or language. Or explicit sex, drugs, or smoking. Well, there was a lot of smoking.
My disclaimer is that I am not a movie buff, I was tired, and I had not read the book. I actually was expecting Animal Farm. Ten minutes in, I leaned over and asked my brother, Where are the farm animals? He kindly explained my error in thinking that Animal Farm was a nickname title for 1984.
Rookie mistake, gregorific.
Similar themes but different movies.
Once I knew that, I was ready to give up the farm animals if the romance ended well. Ummm, I suppose I've been watching/reading too much YA.
Peeta's trackerjacker mental twist was nothing compared to what this couple went through. This was some adult banned-level mental torture. And the lesson it taught me was very much in line with celebrating banned books.
If you don't understand something, then look into it. Do not assume it's rain or pee. If you suspect you are being controlled, played, manipulated, then don't stop questioning until you are satisfied. Do not put a cage of rats on your face. And make sure you know what movie you're going to, before you go.
2 + 2 = ~gregorific
2 + 2 = ~gregorific
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