Forever Judy Bloom - Banned Book

ENGL 432-001

Challenge Essay

Challenge Essay: Forever

        When Judy Blume’s daughter, Randy, asked her mother if there were actually any stories about “two nice kids who have sex without either of them having to die,” Blume knew that it was time for a new portrayal of sexual relationships between young adults in literature (“Judy Blume on the Web: Judy’s Bio”). In 1975, Judy Blume’s novel, Forever was first published. A great deal of readers argue that the novel teaches young adults important lessons and presents an uncomfortable topic in a way that teens can actually engage with and relate to. However, the sexually explicit book has also faced many critics and harsh objections over the years.  

        Forever is known as one of the most challenged books in Young Adult Literature. The novel was ranked as number seven on the American Library Association’s Top 100 Banned/Challenged Books list for 1990-1999 and number 16 for 2000-2009 (“Banned Library”). There are several factors of this book that have led to challenges from school districts, libraries, parents, and religious groups. The most obvious and common challenge is for the book’s frequent use of sexual descriptions and sexual activity such as masturbation, foreplay, and sexual intercourse. Critics state that the content of the book is highly inappropriate for young people. For example, the novel was removed from Frost Junior High School library in Schaumburg, Illinois because “it’s basically a sexual ‘how to do’ book for junior high students. It glamorizes sex and puts ideas in their heads” (“Banned Library”). In other words, many have a fear that the exposure to the sexual acts and information in the novel will trigger readers to act on it and reflect the behavior in their own lives.

        In addition to the sexually explicit nature of the book, many parents and schools are bothered by other broader moral issues raised throughout the story including demoralization of marital sex, portraying disobedience towards parents, and even the use of birth control. These moral issues were brought up in Moreno Valley, California as the novel was challenged not only for the sex but for “profanity and themes that encourage disrespectful behavior” as well as in Scranton, Philadelphia for it’s mentioning of birth control (“Banned Library”). Pro-abstinence groups, especially, argue that the use of birth control is unsuitable and shouldn’t be exposed to young readers. I found it interesting to come across challenges made by the book that referred to even minor details within subplots of the story, one being the possibility of Artie’s homosexuality. Parents and religious groups have found concerns in even these minor details and want to prevent children from being exposed to these controversial subjects. Overall, the book has remained controversial for years, being challenged all over the country including the states of Florida, Ohio, Virginia, Missouri, Texas, just to name a few.

        Although Forever has faced great opposition over the years, Judy Blume has a strong fan base and many supporters who appreciate this novel, in particular, for discussing important topics (like sex) in a real way that is relative to young adults. The matter-of-fact, non-judgmental, and candid style of the novel’s writing that infuriates certain readers is the very quality that other readers love and appreciate about the book. Judy Blume addressed this herself in an interview, stating, “How are young people supposed to make thoughtful decisions if they don’t have information and no one is willing to talk with them? Girls and boys have to learn to say ‘no’ or ‘not without a condom’ without fear” (“Judy Blume: 'I Thought, This Is America: We Don't Ban Books. But Then We Did”). In the seventies, when Forever was originally published, America was much more open about discussing sexual responsibly with teens. However, times have changed and many of the issues in the novel are now thought of as “taboo” or uncomfortable to discuss with the detail that many young adults are left wondering about. Young adult readers as well as parents share their gratitude towards Judy Blume for writing this book because it shares information and stages conversations that some may feel too uncomfortable to have in person or simply may never have had. One reader’s blog shares, “Without being preachy, Blume provides a novel that teenagers can relate to. If these issues are hard to discuss, why not hand a kid a book that they can explore” (“Censorship and Judy Blume”). This opinion is commonly shared between Judy Blume’s audience that argues for the book’s appropriateness for young adults.

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        Throughout the novel, Judy Blume uses several different strategies to carefully and effectively craft a text that encourages readers to confront urgent and important issues. Firstly, Judy Blume chose to write the story in a first-person point of view. By allowing Katherine to tell the story in her own perspective, readers can truly see what is going on inside her mind as she encounters the ups and downs of her relationship with Michael. This largely contributes to what makes the novel so relatable for young adults—they finally are able to hear the true, raw, and real thoughts of a character who is experiencing the curiosity of sex and love. For example, after a scene where Katherine tells Michael that she is not quite ready for sex, she goes home and thinks about the times she’s heard her own parents having sex. She thinks to herself, “Even though I know it’s natural and I’m glad my parents love each other I can’t help feeling embarrassed. What would it be like to be in bed with Michael? Sometimes I want to so much—but other times I’m afraid” (Blume, 52). This example portrays how using first-person point of view allows Blume to reveal emotions and curiosity that Katherine is experiencing that would not be revealed otherwise. Many young adults struggle with issues of guilt because they are unsure if their questions about relationships and sex are normal or acceptable. By using this strategy, Blume allows readers to see that they are not alone—here is a character who is finding herself asking the same questions that the readers have.

        Another issue that the novel confronts is how anyone is capable of being manipulative. Blume uses character development in order to portray this idea throughout the novel. For example, several scenes portray Michael attempting to coerce Katherine into engaging in physical activity that she may not have necessarily consented to, as mentioned earlier. However, Blume also uses descriptions of Michael and dialogue to show a side of him that comes across as much more sweet and patient. In one scene, after Katherine moves away Michael’s hand from between her legs and says “not tonight,” he replies with “I don’t care” and even states, “I’m already worked up.” However, the very next line states, “We kissed one more time and then he touched my face gently and said, ‘I love you, Katherine. I really mean it… I love you.’ I could have said it right back to him right away” (Blume, 65). Focusing in on Michael’s character development and using dialogue that drastically shifts in tone has a significant effect. Blume is able to illustrate how manipulation in relationships usually works. One second Michael is portrayed as forceful and impatient and the next second he is described as “gentle” and loving. Here, readers (both male and female) can better see how Katherine is being put in emotionally confusing situations which may help them recognize manipulation in their own physical relationships.