Reasons for the Ban of James Joyces Book Ulysses in the Early 1900s - Research Paper Example

Name: Institution: Tutor: Date Introduction Described as the suppression or restriction of books whose contents are considered questionable and harmful, book censorship is an act that has existed for a long time now. In fact, it is not new even to the very democratic societies where freedom of speech is deemed stronger, and where prominent works such as James Joyce’s “Ulysses”, Theodore Dreiser’s “Sister Carrie” and D.H Lawrence’s “Sons and Lovers” have featured in the history of banned books. Actually, according to Castillo (2010, P.1), the earliest instances of book censorship were recorded in Ancient Greece as well as Rome where Socrates’ and Ovid’s works were suppressed. A similar case was also witnessed in China where Confucius’ writings were not only banned but also burnt in line with the emperor’s order. However, as Castillo (2010, P.1), highlights, such censorship actions did not have a systematical character, and the ancient authorities were not able to institutionalize the book suppression practice. In fact, a particularly notable feature was the significance attached to literary or artistic works that jury trials were deliberately excluded from such issues as they were deemed inappropriate. However, this was not until the dawn of modernity, which came along with the printing press invention, and the consequential widespread adoption of printed books that necessitated the need for a system that sharply controlled written materials. Modernity also came along with a new twist where books could be censored and further challenged in courts by their respective authors. Currently, almost every nation places particular restrictions regarding what ought to be published; however, the emphasis as well as the extent of such restrictions varies across countries and during particular periods. As highlighted by McLintock (2009,P.1), censorship of books has more often than not prevailed in many countries due to a number of reasons with most common reasons being sexually explicit contents, materials unsuitable for an intended age, offensive languages, objectionable/questionable religious positions, homosexuality, racism, nudity as well as sex education. Governments have also opted to ban particular authors’ works in light of their content being perceived as threatening, shameful or even critical of the government. Among the most prominent works featuring in the history of banned books include James Joyce’s “Ulysses”, Theodore Dreiser’s “Sister Carrie” and D.H Lawrence’s “Sons and Lovers”. This particular paper intends to analyze why these particular books were censored, what was so provocative about each of them that caused the uproar leading to their ban and why the courts eventually lifted these bans. It is an acknowledged reality worldwide that books are greatly good for readers’ soul. However, for others, deep knowledge on particular issues is indisputably dangerous. As such, what one individual reads as both vivid and poignant may be regarded by another individual as not only perverse or violent but also politically dubious. Thus, book banning/censorship has been in existence from time immemorial and quick brush through any fully-stocked bookshelf will definitely reveal that it is not only James Joyce’s “Ulysses”, Theodore Dreiser’s “Sister Carrie” and D.H Lawrence’s “Sons and Lovers” have been the only objects of censorship when the question regarding contents are put into a clear perspective. Actually, according to Harte (2003), James Joyce’s “Ulysses” was among the most revered modernist literature works that was described to have been the first fiction that fore grounded the thinking process. However, even with such positive comments, Ulysses’ proponents have termed the book as inimitable and probably mad later leading to a ban. Reasons for the ban of James Joyce book (Ulysses) in the early 1900’s James Joyce’s book (Ulysses) was banned in the early 1900’s following many accusations attributed to what was perceived as unparlor like language, blasphemy in view of the Catholic Church faith as well as open discussion of thoughts or desires that were often suppressed in view of the scenes of masturbation it highlighted within its main character. A trial court found the book to be pornographic and banned it under the obscenity laws. As highlighted by Head (2013, P.1), obscenity refers to disgusting or offensive actions that cannot be accepted by contemporary standards of decency or morality. Its obscenity was evident in the use of the four letter word and the flow of consciousness in narration by one character that revealed her innermost views. According to Sherry (2004, P.73), the book was generally criticized for its explicit nature, an attribute that was perceived to be threatening the long-hold and greatly cherished morals, religious beliefs and political positions. In general, the book rebelled against the very established order. It was challenged in an American court with the court ruling against what was called the little review and “Ulysses” parts. A second attempt was made and this time 500 copies of the book were burned. There were claims that the book was not original and that it was promoting lust in the minds of Americans. Why it was censored from a modernist approach Modernists have a different opinion as to why this book was censored. While focusing on issues of obscenity, the modernist approach emphasizes on serious literary, scientific, political and artistic relevance under which a book could either be censored or not. James’ work is actually an experiment where he widely plays around with narrative techniques. Some chapters give more concentration on events that are phonic, some mock history, others are told in a form that is epigrammatic while others are presented in a drama-like manner. These fights of style direct the story in the use of many languages and forms differing psychological points of view from which people understand the book in different ways hence some even fail to understand it completely thereby giving it enough reason for its ban. The style chosen by James Joyce to give facts on realism is also another issue. In as much as there are multiple ways to bring out a story, it is important to consider the appropriate way to bring out a story to people (McCourt, 1999, P.56). This is because people will always have their own different views on the book rather than what has been intended in the writing. In case of this, modernists argue that the book can be censored such as in the case of “Ulysses”. However, fixing can be done later on ways that are considered appropriate in terms of conveying information to the world. What was so provocative about the book that caused its ban? The book was banned on grounds of obscenity. This was found to be provocative forcing the American officials who seized it and found it to be actually obscene in a trial at the courts the following years. The book came in the eyes of the New York Anti-Vice Society for its open sexual content. This undoubtedly provoked its ban. Masturbation and the usage of bad language were also considered to be provocative by the government that thought of it as foul. The language used was explicit with a majority not understanding it and occasionally misinterpreting the words. In fact, according to Head (2013,P.1),when an extract from the book became serialized in a literary magazine, the New York Society members responsible for suppressing vices were similarly astonished by the book’s masturbation scene that witnessed the members take the responsibility of blocking the publication of the entire book. Why the court lifted its ban According to Mullaly (2007, P.1), charges for obscenity will time to time challenge the American publication and distribution of books in the future. Censorship of the book was accomplished on grounds that it would cause the minds of Americans to be impure with thoughts that were considered lustful. Federal Judge John Woolsey devoted a month of his time to reading the book and had later on a different opinion from what the accusations were. He said that “Ulysses”, in a legal sense, was not obscene; instead he found it to have works of literary advantage (The New York Times, 1998). The ruling was that the book would be published in unexpurgated way by the Random House Publishing Company. Apart from it having an introduction by James, there would be a full decision written by the judge that was considered to have established the interpretation of obscenity. The judge also ruled that a few passages could not be separated from the facts of a book to determine whether the book had pornographic content or not. He further defend Joyce arguing that the book occasioned by Joyce had been reliable in terms of the technique used and had not flunked the secondary implications. The judge directed some copies to enter the port firm Europe and expressed his views on the book as sincere and with serious attempts to get a new way for observing and describing mankind. He held that the book was not obscene. He addressed the issue of scenes that were considered obscene. He claimed that “Ulysses” should not be used by sensitive persons. After a long reflection, he stated that in most places the consequences of “Ulysses” on the reader is emetic. As such, it should never be aphoristic in any way. He thus emphasized that the book should be admitted in America. The judge had a task to quench. He had to solve the issue of whether or not the purpose of Joyce writing the book was pornographic. He concluded that he did not see anywhere scenes of sensuality therefore making the book not pornographic. Words that people label considered as dirty were Old Saxon words that were known to everyone and those that are used on a daily basis. He concluded either arguing that everyone had a choice to use or not use the words (Beebe, 1972, P.173) .The court decided to lift the ban due to reasons it thought were not valid. It actually took James seven years to write this book. Those that did misinterpret the book did not understand it. However over the years people reread, understood and appreciated the skills of James. It was argued that the words that were considered obscene were words that people constantly use and experience in their daily lives. Actually the situation leading to the ban of “Ulysses” is more comparable to that which resulted in the censorship and ban of Sons and Lovers by H.D. Lawrence. Sons and Lovers is regarded as one of the landmark novels by the twentieth century novelists. Despite this, the novel was censored and banned due to reasons almost similar to “Ulysses”. Censorship and Ban Lifting of Sons and Lovers Censorship Sons and Lovers is regarded as one of the landmark novels by the twentieth century novelists, H.D. Lawrence that appeared in 1913. The novel was censored and hence banned in England and elsewhere like Australia for some reasons: obscenity, strong and dangerous patriarchy and unusual erotic themes in all of its settings. More rhetorical on this list, was the Church of England that banned it from any subsequent usage due its features that saw it conflicting with the society, himself and other censors. Because of his writings, conflicting with the society, coupled with his personality to marry a Germany woman during the First World War saw him being expelled to continental Europe (Morrsion par. 2-5). On Obscenity According to some commentators, with the then society in England, Lawrence’s major piece of work faced many setbacks because they were seen as obscene. For him, he wanted to introduce the oedipal complex from the Greek mythology where Oedipus slew his father to marry his mother. Mrs. Morel’s passion upon her sons and son’s passion upon her are quite obscene. These can be seen from various instances (Lawrence, P.271). To mention but a few, Paul has been noted variously as a person who likes sleeping with his mother. When his mother accompanies him for interview, they openly become sensuous, behaving like sweet hearts, as they feel the adventure of two lovers having time together. Paul acknowledges his love to his mother by saying that a man can have love for his mother who has been abandoned by his husband (Lawrence Chap. 5). Of all the events, the incestuous events emerge clearly in chapter eight. In the chapter, Paul compares between his new girlfriends, Miriam and her mother and decides to ditch the former, because she is the cause of her mother’s sufferings. On another occasion when he spends time together with Miriam, he returns home and finds his mother and sisters waiting. At this instance, he finds it clearly that he loves his mother more than he does to Miriam. This forces him to reconcile between the two situations so that he can reduce the pain that his mother had. When his father arrives, Paul engages him in a fight, only stopping when the mother faints (Lawrence, 2008, P.345). As Paul continues to be Mrs. Miriam’s favorite son, their love becomes closer and decides to ditch Miriam forever for his mother alone. These actions of the bond between Mrs. Morel and her sons will continue even after her death. When Miriam wants to reposes him, after the death of her mother, Paul does not feel it because he just want to be near her mother and demonstrate love to her. As discussed, these obscene and incestuous acts saw the Anglican Church and other members of the society complaining a lot about the book and therefore it was banned. On Strong Patriarchy and Misogyny Patriarchy is a belief that men should have strong powers than women while Misogyny is the general hatred towards women or girls. Complains arose because of the way he was handling the two issues to the extreme. Chapter 1 begins with images that depict the relationship between Mrs. and Mr. Morel growing sour each day. Chapter 2 affirms this by various patriarchal bullying of Mrs. Morel by her husband. This does not only happen to her alone but also to other women. For instance, he bangs Mrs. Kirk with a poker before telling her to fetch, a mid-wife, Mrs. Bower. As Mr. Morel like complaining very much about the difficulties that normally arises due to his working in mine, there are almost frequent quarrels that lead to various battles in the house. On one occasion, he arrives at home being very drunk, and finds that he lacks money, which induces him to take six pence from his wife’s purse; this results in bitter confrontations. On other developments, Mr. Morel returns home at night drunk and asks for something to eat. When his wife tells him that she will not wait for him, he pulls a drawer and fling on her cutting her forehead (Lawrence chap. 2).These extreme incidences and others in the book saw the Catholic Church banning it. Too Much Eroticism As much as one can define eroticism as just exploration of human feelings and emotions to inspire sexuality and sex, his presentation of events can profoundly lead someone to believe that it is a pornographic book (Lawrence, 2008, P.167). The way Lawrence dealt explicitly with the issue of sexuality led to the censoring and hence subsequent bans of his book. He explains and infers how people are extremely moved, their hot blood rising and how various objects on their body stand in representation of erotic feelings. Paul struggles for sex that will see him fulfilling his dreams between religion and sexual elements inherent in women (Lawrence, 2008, P.245). In one of the extraordinary event, he exposes Miriam on how flowers appealed to her with such strength that she felt she could make her legs apart by herself (Lawrence, 155). He also notes that people behave differently while in the advent of sex. For instance he exposes that Miriam took her finger from the Mouth, looking at him (Paul) with an almost challenging fashion, although her soul naked. Similarly, the phrase of Paul explaining how a woman sat on a sofa while sexually stimulating herself with an “instrument” she had grasped to give her pleasure highlights another instance of erotic scene. Analysts note that his major goal in these erotic scenes was to explore vaginal orgasm. Therefore, the scenes in the book generally convinced people that it was generally pornographic. Why Lifting the Ban Became Necessary Although before his death most critics had regarded him as a pornographer, he has been described as one of the most imaginative novelists of his generation. He has also been credited with artistic integrity in his work and a person that takes moral questions seriously; these have led the piece of work to be placed in canonical great tradition of English novel. Nevertheless advocates of his works consider him a visionary and modernizing English literature artist (Boulton, 2004, P. 36). In depiction of his artistic great vision, he seems to have been aware of the idea of Oedipus complex. For those who believe in Freud’s psychoanalytic theory, must be intrigued by the novel. Psychoanalysts like Selma Freiger believe that he has tried to explain psychological phenomena that are not commonplace in the world. He explains this by use of Morel family where sons romantically get attracted to their mother. In taking the question morality seriously, the author would like to change what he experienced during adulthood (Boulton, 2004, P.36). Lawrence was born in Nottinghamshire, where his father was a miner and explains clearly the hard fate he faced. Having met many women in his life and involving in various affairs, including Jessie Chambers who is featured as Miriam in the story, various critiques view it as representation of his life. In the words of Jessie Chambers, Lawrence had initially written about his actual lifestyle but she forced him to revise it and add some melodramatic incidents. Most people even agree that he wanted to exalt his mother in the character of Mrs. Morel. Nevertheless, some women also regard him as being catalytic in revolutionizing their sexuality. This is shown when depicts them as domineering in sexual matter (Krockel, P.304). On the hand, Sister Carrie was a book by Dreiser that despite its popularity became a publication that received a lot of criticism and aroused strong feelings among the people in 1900. Why it was censored Sister Carrie was the initial publication of Dreiser, a publication that received a lot of criticism and aroused strong feelings among the people in 1900. Due to what was perceived to be a just argument, its critics won leading to its censorship and finally its ban for almost one and a half decades (Dreiser 2004b, P.17). The book was censored on grounds that it was immoral as it passed the theme of immorality, which contradicted the society norms. At the same time, its message was thought to be abusive and a mockery of the people particularly women. This book was deemed unfit for exposure to the public based on the following grounds; Immorality themes Sister Carrie the main character in the book was seen as a morally loose woman who used her beauty to harass and ruin people’s lives particularly Drouet and Hurstwood (Safranski, 2001, P.1). In fact, Sister Carrie was seen as a dupe of the two men. She was portrayed as a materialistic woman who wanted to achieve material wealth through taking advantage of her beauty on wealthy men such as Drouet and Hurstwood. The book actually begins with Sister Carrie who consciously compares her materialistic deficit to other people, and as such she became determined to attain wealth by dubious means. First she moves in with Drouet as a reserved girl, which in the real sense is not morally right (Safranski, 2001, P.1). She thought that as a salesman, Drouet was wealthy and that was actually indicated by the gifts she received from him. She even decided to marry him not because of love but just because she needed to get out of poverty where he was the only avenue. Furthermore, the theme of immorality is more evident when Sister Carrie starts seeing Hurstwood secretly without the knowledge of Drouet. Considering that she needed someone who had good offer in terms of wealth, Hurstwood must have been wealthier compared to Drouet. The writer confirms that by saying that Hurstwood was more extravagant compared to Drouet a factor that made Sister Carrie compare him with Drouet and finally settled on Hurstwood (Safranski, 2001, P.1). As a fiancée of Drouet, Sister Carrie’s acts of seeing Hurstwood without Drouet’s knowledge a sign of immorality as that can be termed as extramarital affairs hence the critics and censors concluded that the book was immoral. Additionally, the woman is further seen as an immoral person when she flees with Hurstwood making him abandon his family (wife and children). Finally, she leaves Hurstwood when He could not sustain him any more hence making the censors stamp that Dreiser the author of the book was propagating the spirit of immorality which conflicted with societal norms (Safranski 5). Further, the book was seen as being abusive to women who according to the book and represented by Sister Carrie are portrayed as loose. Why the ban on the book was lifted After being under the effect of the ban for almost one and a half decades, the court decided to lift the ban. This was after a considerable reflection that made the censors realize that the book was essential to the society as it was more than the most explicit themes of immorality. In fact, the book was understood to explain how poverty impacts on other people’s morality. Through the main character (Sister Carrie), Dreiser explained the evils caused by poverty on human beings and the real plight of less privileged people in the society. In fact, Dreiser is seen to narrate his life experiences as a peasant child through the main character Sister Carrie. Just as Sister Carrie struggles from poverty through compromising her moral, the same way the Dreiser family tried to do. Poverty makes people to make undesirable choices in life not because they want but because they are forced. For instance, Sister Carrie seems to commit herself in marriages not because of love but rather because that is the only way out of poverty. The book thus highlighted clearly what poor women and other people were undergoing during the era of the writer. In most cases poor people are always naïve such that they are usually deceived as portrayed by Sister Carrie when she is deceived by Hurstwood that she does not have a family and also she is deceived in being given a sham marriage ceremony (Safranski, 2001, P.1). Additionally, Sister Carrie who struggles with poverty is seen accept with open arms whatever Drouet gives her as a gift and she is naïve enough to think those gifts signified affluence. This shows the plight of poor people in the society in relation to the rich. Just the same way Sister Carrie was deceived; Dreiser’s father deceived by his rich partners in business an act that coasted the family so much. Further upon reflection the people were able to understand the consequences of income she was more independent she could not give in to Drouet request to reconcile anymore like she had initially. Indeed the book was found to be more helpful to the society hence the lifting of the ban by the courts. When Sister Carrie used to get gift from Drouet it was clear that she could not afford a winter coat something Drouet was proud of (Gale, 1968, P. 50). Winter coats are very fundamental in places like Chicago especially during the coldest seasons. This is a metaphor to mean that women and other poor people during the era could not afford basic needs due to poverty. When she started earning good sum of money she could make sound and proper decisions free from influence of poverty. This reflects the situation when Dreiser started earning from his journalism career. (Safranski, 2001, P.1; Dreiser, 2004a, P. 6). Conclusion In as much as it may seem that book censorship is merely a relic associated with a by-gone age, it is evidently clear that it is still a dominant issue within the current society. As such, there is no doubt that the urge by authorities to suppress what are considered to be seemingly dangerous and offensive thoughts is likely to be in existence provided that human beings still think. As highlighted in the analysis, contrary to the traditional basis of censorship and ban of books that emphasized on obscenity, it is clear that the modernist approach look beyond mere obscenity or excerpts of books to the overall theme of the book in determining whether a book is suitable for public consumption or not. This is evident in the case of James Joyce’s “Ulysses”, Theodore Dreiser’s “Sister Carrie” and D.H Lawrence’s “Sons and Lovers”. In the case of James Joyce’s “Ulysses”, the book was banned on the basis of its usage of unparlor-like language, blasphemy and open discussion of sexual acts. Theodore Dreiser’s “Sister Carrie” was on the other hand banned on the grounds that it generally portrayed themes of immorality while D.H Lawrence’s “Sons and Lovers” was banned due to the fact that it portrayed obscenity, strong patriarchy and misogyny and too much eroticism. The ban on these particular books was however lifted later on, as such, highlighting the modern trend where books are currently being judged by their dominant themes rather individual parts or excerpts. Work Cited Beebe, Maurice. "Ulysses and the Age of Modernism." James Joyce Quarterly, 10 (1), Pp.172- 188 (1972). Boulton, James.D. H. Lawrence: Late Essays and Articles, Volume 2. Edinburgh: Cambridge University Press, Pp.34-56, 2004. Bryn Mawr Review of Comparative Literature, Vol.4, No.1, 2003 Books: C Castillo, Anastasia. Banned Censorship in Eighteenth-Century England, Verlag Dreiser Theodore, Sister Carrie. Kessinger Publishing, 2004a Dreiser Theodore. Sister Carrie. NuVision Publications, LLC, 2004b Gale Robert. A critical study guide to Dreiser's Sister Carrie. Littlefield, Adams, 1968 Groden, M et.al.The James Joyce Archive .James Joyce Quarterly, Vol. 19, No. 1, Pp. 85- 98,1981 Harte, Tim. Sarah Danius, The Senses of Modernism: Technology, Perception, and Aesthetics. Head, Tim. Top ten “Obscene” Literary Classics, 2013, Pp.1 Lawrence, David. Sons and Lovers. Easy Read Accessible Publishing Systems, 2008 Morrsion, Blake. Sons and Lovers: A Century On. The Guardian. Retrieved on the 10th October, 2013 from McLintock, A. Censorship of Books.2009, Pp.1 McCourt, John. James Joyce: A Passionate Exile.St. Martin's Press, Pp.49-56, 1999 Krockel, Carl. D.H. Lawrence and Germany. Amsterdam: Rodopi, Pp.301-321, 2007 Bottom of Form Top of Form Ulysses, by James Joyce. Tulsa, Ok: University of Tulsa, James Joyce Quarterly, 1972. Print. Top of Form Sherry, Vincent. James Joyce Ulysses. Cambridge University Press, Pp.69-77, 2004 Safranski Sarah. Sister Carrie: A Controversy in 1900 and Since. Retrieved on 8th November 2013 from http://www.lib.niu.edu/2001/ihy010446.html, 2001 The New York Times. Court Lifts Ban on 'Ulysses' Here, Retrieved on the 10th October, 2013 from , 2008 Read More