2nd Draft Argument Essay

“The important task of literature is to free man, not to censor him”-Anais Nin. Parents and teachers should not ban A Fraction of the Whole by Steve Toltz for comprising inappropriate language and content for middle school students. A Fraction of the Whole by Steve Toltz is about the main character Martin Dean and his son Terry Dean and their unique life. The book shouldn't be banned because it is a well acclaimed book, showing the consequences of bullying which kids these days need to know about; while the book does have sexual content and profane language, it is something that teens are already exposed to.

Many parents believe that many young adult books that their children are reading have hideously distorted portrayals of life and reality. One of those parents are Meghan Cox Gurdon. She complains about depravity and hideously portrayals in young adult literature. Unlike Gurdon, the author of Why the Best Books are Written in Blood states, “When I think of the poverty stricken, sexually and physically abused, self-loathing Native American teenager I was, I only wish, that I’d been given the opportunity to read the… the books that Ms. Gurdon believes to be irredeemable.”(Sherman Alexie). Also A fraction of the whole by Steve Toltz is seen as not hideous, but “grows in the shadow of great expectations.”(New York Times). It has also been recently listed for the Man Booker Prize. This shows that A Fraction of the whole shouldn't be banned because it is a highly acclaimed book and teaches kids how to cope with their problems.

Another reason why A Fraction of the Whole by Steve Toltz should not be banned is because the inappropriate language and content in the book is something teens are already exposed and introduced to in reality, so the content isn't out of the ordinary life of a teenager. For example, words like “condom” which is used on page 372 of A Fraction of the Whole isn't a new word heard by students. They are familiar with the word. The violent and sexual content isn't written in explicit detail, so it doesn't make the reader uncomfortable to the point where their minds are scarred. Also, while there is cussing in the book it isn't frequently used but instead philosophical sayings and ideas are filled in the book that will make the reader think. For example in the book Toltz writes, “True creative power isolates one and demands something that has to be subtracted from the enjoyment of life” (Toltz 560). This will make middle school students stop and really think about the quote which is good for class subjects.

           The final reason why the book A Fraction of the Whole shouldn't be ban is because there is a need for young people to know the consequences and effects of bullying. The book A Fraction of the Whole teaches suicides is not only a result of teens being bullied and pushed over the edge but that adults also commit suicide when pushed over the edge when bullied by teens. For example in the book it states, “I [Terry] missed all the signs. I didn't interpret the nail-biting as a cry for help or as an indication that he would soon be rotting dumbly in the earth. After Brett’s death, I dissected that afternoon in my head countless times…I could’ve said something, or done something, to change his mind. Now I wonder, why do we wish our loved ones back to life if they were so obviously miserable?”(Toltz 306). In this part of the book Terry Dean’s only friend Brett has committed suicide. He is grieving but knows that Brett is better off dead. Also in the next couple pages in the book, the death of Brett makes his father and teacher depressed. Terry ends up playing a prank that would push his teacher over the edge and commit suicide himself like his dead son. The book also accurately portrayals a teens point of view on sensitive topics and topics that are very normal in a teenager’s life.

          A Fraction of the Whole by Steve Toltz shouldn't be banned just because of inappropriate language and content. The book opens the mind to really about our surroundings and how it affects us and one way the author shows it is by using things from our daily life such as language and putting some meaning to it. Read the book and decide whether or not the book should be banned but keep in mind that the most important task of literature is to free man, not to censor him.