Why Read John Steinbeck?

Introduction:

As you know, our novel for Unit 2 is Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck. This novel is regarded as one of the most important novels of our time; however, it has also been critiqued as being too mature for teenagers. It has been banned multiple times in many schools all over the nation. Check out the information below from the Marshall University website. (http://www.marshall.edu/library/bannedbooks/books/miceandmen.asp)

2008 Challenged at the Newton (IA) High School because of concerns about profanity and the portrayal of Jesus Christ. Newton High School has required students to read the book since at leas the early 1980's. Retained in the Olathe (KS) 9th-grade curriculum despite a parent calling the novel a "worthless, profanity-riddled book" which is "derogatory towards African Americans, women, and the developmentally disabled."

2007 Retained in the Greencastle-Antrim (PA) tenth-grade English classes. A complaint was filed because of "racial slurs" and profanity used throughout the novel. The book had been used in the high school for more than thirty years, and those who object to its content have the option of reading an alternative reading.

2005 Challenged in the Normal (IL) Community High Schools because the book contains "racial slurs, profanity, violence and does not represent traditional values". An alternative book, Steinbeck's The Pearl was offered but rejected by the family challenging the novel. The committee then recommended The House on Mango Street and The Way to Rainy Mountain as alternatives.

2004 Challenged in the Normal (IL) Community High Schools because the book contains "racial slurs, profanity, violence and does not represent traditional values".

2003 Challenged as required reading at Grandville (MI) high school for "racism, profanity and foul language". Banned in George County (MS) schools for profanity.

2002 Banned for using offensive language, racism, violence, and being unsuited to age group

2001 Banned for using offensive language, racism, violence, and being unsuited to age group

So, why do we read this book by John Steinbeck? Your first task today is to find out why we bother to read Steinbeck at all.

Please visit the following website: http://www.steinbeck.sjsu.edu/works/ORWhy.jsp

Read the article on the website, and then answer the question, “Why does the author of this article believe we should read books by John Steinbeck?” in one well-written paragraph. Make sure you use details from the article to support your answer.