Dark V.S. Light

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Sherman Alexie’s viewpoint states, “I write in blood because I remember what it felt like to bleed” (Alexie 4). He also states, “I don’t write to protect them… I write to give them weapons- in the form of words and ideas-that will help them fight their monsters” (Alexie 4). Sherman Alexie contends that the best books are written for young people should tie around hard or dark subjects. This is because growing up isn’t easy. There are lots of negatives to growing up. Not everyone grows up the same. Some kids grow up poor, some grow up rich, some grow up in a home of violence, some kids grow up in a home of peace. Everyone faces challenges in their life differently and it’s beneficial to have harder or darker subjects in such books so those kids can feel connected and learn about such topics that may cause them challenges in life. Everyone faces their monsters in life, it’s how they deal with it and go about it to help. “They read because they believe, despite the callow protestations of certain adults, that books-especially the dark and dangerous ones will save them” (Alexie 4). Sherman Alexie made so many valuable points to which I had to agree with. Myself growing up I didn’t face too many challenges but my friends went through a lot, no motherly figure, abuse, rape, you name it. Being able to connect or spread awareness is a big part of life. If you can’t change your own life and help yourself, you can certainly help and change someone else’s life who is in need. 

Meghan Cox Gurdon has opposing viewpoints from Sherman Alexie. Alexie mentioned, “So when I read Meghan Cox Gurdon’s complaints about the “depravity” and “hideously distorted portrayals” of contemporary young adult literature, I laughed at her condescension” (Alexie 2). Meghan Cox Gurdon believes kids should be sheltered and hidden from dark and hard material. “If you think it matters what is inside a young person’s mind, surely is it of consequence what he reads” (Gurdon 1). Meghan Gurdon feels it’s a consequence to read about such dark and hide times. She feels it can play a role in the brain and how it acts on the kids. These types of reads can cause more harm than good in their lifetime. Gurdon also mentions, “It has to do with a child’s happiness, moral development and tenderness of heart. Entertainment does not merely gratify taste, after all, but it creates it” (Gurdon 1). She values the child’s feelings, development, and how the brain is affected. Putting dark thoughts in their head is poison to Meghan Gurdon and she wants to change that. 

Sherman Alexie and Meghan Cox Gurdon both have valuable points. While both sides are valued, I have to side more with Sherman Alexie. Although I understand the points that Meghan Cox Gurdon was making and the fact she created a “‘PG-15”’ nook for older teens” to shelter the harsh material in books, you can’t hide it. Sherman Alexie made some good points and it’s fair to say kids that read material with harsh topics such as violence, rape, depression, etc I feel is beneficial and can help them in the near future. Thinking about it, most kids don’t like going to their parents about it so they look it up or read about it. This can make them feel connected to an individual when the book is engaging and relatable. Darker books can teach the reader valuable lessons and spread awareness of such topics if someone they know is going through a difficult time. Sherman Alexie mentioned, “I read books about monsters and monstrous things, often written with monstrous language, because they taught me how to battle the real monsters in my life” (Alexie 4).  That statement is 100% true, reading about the monsters in our life such as depression, anxiety, rape, and abuse at a younger age opens their eyes and can help them learn what to do in such situations from the viewpoints of the characters. They are relating themselves to the character and engaged in the story making it a good story overall.