Reading impure book for English class

[McatholicN]

For English class we were assigned to read a book called “The Awakening” which I didn’t read after looking at some of the reviews on the back cover and what my classmates were saying about it. Would reading this book be sinful matter due to its impure content? I’ve already flunked a quiz and assignment about it (probably an essay, too) and now I have to write a big paper on it that would surely sink my grade if I flunk that as well. What should I do?

 

[JimG]

Is this the book by Kate Chopin? I haven’t read it, but if that’s the one, it sounds rather boring. I went and read some online reviews. The protagonist character is a Victorian wife who finds herself unhappy with her life and not in love with her husband. Sounds like a “Lifetime” movie, but as I say, I haven’t read the book. If it’s assigned, you should read it and write your paper. I doubt that it would be a temptation to you if you are forewarned.

 

[RPRPsych]

For English class we were assigned to read a book called “The Awakening” which I didn’t read after looking at some of the reviews on the back cover and what my classmates were saying about it. Would reading this book be sinful matter due to its impure content? I’ve already flunked a quiz and assignment about it (probably an essay, too) and now I have to write a big paper on it that would surely sink my grade if I flunk that as well. What should I do?

If you’re talking about the novel by Kate Chopin, it’s more than a century old.

And yes, it does deal with a protagonist who has an adulterous relationship.

But so does the Second Book of Samuel.

And I don’t think it’s sexually explicit, or goes into much “clinical” detail (to put it politely); neither does it portray adultery as having particularly positive or desirable consequences. They couldn’t do things like that in 1899. (Compare Madame Bovary.)

Finally, you’re not studying it to get sexually aroused (if that were possible in the first place; it’s literature, not porn); you’re trying to learn something about English literature. We all have subjects / topics we didn’t particularly care for, or whose contents are contrary to what we believe (psychoanalytic theories were my Achilles’ heel!) but that doesn’t necessary mean we should avoid them.

 

[Elizium23]

Surely this person should not do evil so that a good grade can come about. I thought that being a Christian was about standing our ground and witnessing to the Cross even if harm was threatened to us. What kind of martyr would offer incense to idols or blaspheme Jesus’ name just because the emperor assigned it?

 

[RPRPsych]

Surely this person should not do evil so that a good grade can come about. I thought that being a Christian was about standing our ground and witnessing to the Cross even if harm was threatened to us. What kind of martyr would offer incense to idols or blaspheme Jesus’ name just because the emperor assigned it?

Come on, he’s not offering his children by fire to Baal, or worship an idol, or blaspheme against the name of the Lord! Let’s not get hyperbolic here.

He’s been asked to study a fairly old (and fairly boring, from what my mother - a professor of English - once said) novel, older than any of us on this board, which happens to deal with an adulterous protagonist whose life ends tragically when she realizes the destructive nature of passion. It’s certainly not a very edifying tale, but it’s not particularly immoral either. Considering some of the stuff students are made to read these days, I think we should cut the OP and his teachers a little slack here.

When I was studying for my MD, I had to study all kinds of morally dubious stuff, including “sociobiology” (explaining morality and behaviour in Darwinian terms), Sigmund Freud’s theories, and textbook chapters that described homosexual behaviour as “normal”. Did I enjoy it? No way. But you need discernment when pursuing an education, and I survived.

We should try to understand the world we live in, because forewarned is forearmed. Even if the world is sometimes our enemy, “know your enemy” is sound advice. And in this case, there is no sin involved: he’s not being told to read Hustler magazine, or to swear on the Quran.

 

[Elizium23]

Well, personally I struggle with sexual impurity, and I would not enjoy a nude woman forcing her way into my apartment any more than I would enjoy being forced to watch a lascivious film or read a book filled with sexual depravity. I am a regular penitent, and my Act of Contrition promises that I will avoid every near occasion of sin. I am a Netflix subscriber, and when I find a movie has crossed the line I turn it off and slip it back into the return envelope. I would rather fail an assignment than be sent to Hell. That’s just IMHO.

 

[Allegra]

You can read the book. It’s not sexually explicit in any way and is not going to tempt you to sin. In fact, it makes sin seem extremely selfish, pointless, and lame. I’m sorry you have to read it, because it’s an awful book. Why didn’t you talk to your teacher about it when you got the book instead of letting yourself get behind and jeapordizing your grade? She could have told you that it wasn’t sexually explicit. Even if it was a book that had legitimate moral problems, she might have assigned you another book. If I was your teacher, I wouldn’t let you make it up.

 

[1ke]

For English class we were assigned to read a book called “The Awakening” which I didn’t read after looking at some of the reviews on the back cover and what my classmates were saying about it. Would reading this book be sinful matter due to its impure content? I’ve already flunked a quiz and assignment about it (probably an essay, too) and now I have to write a big paper on it that would surely sink my grade if I flunk that as well. What should I do?

A) What leads you to believe this is an “impure” book, or something not appropriate in the context of an English literature class? What grade is this? The Church is NOT Puritan in its beliefs or practices. It is fine to read a book for such a purpose as literary criticism, as you have been assigned.

B) Your past posts have given indications of scrupulosity, have you gotten counseling for that? Perhaps it is your scrupulosity at work here, and not the actual contents of the novel.

C) If you really believe this is inappropriate and that you cannot read it, you need to have your parents talk to your teacher about an alternate assignment. Simply not doing your work is not an acceptable option here.

 

[1ke]

forced to watch a lascivious film or read a book filled with sexual depravity.

You are making an assumption, not supported by any facts.

I would rather fail an assignment than be sent to Hell. That’s just IMHO.

A false dichotomy.

 

[Allegra]

Well, personally I struggle with sexual impurity, and I would not enjoy a nude woman forcing her way into my apartment any more than I would enjoy being forced to watch a lascivious film or read a book filled with sexual depravity. I am a regular penitent, and my Act of Contrition promises that I will avoid every near occasion of sin. I am a Netflix subscriber, and when I find a movie has crossed the line I turn it off and slip it back into the return envelope. I would rather fail an assignment than be sent to Hell. That’s just IMHO.

There’s nothing in “The Awakening” that’s likely to tickle your fancy. I suspect someone is just trying to find an excuse to get out of his homework.

 

[Julia_Mae]

Surely this person should not do evil so that a good grade can come about. I thought that being a Christian was about standing our ground and witnessing to the Cross even if harm was threatened to us. What kind of martyr would offer incense to idols or blaspheme Jesus’ name just because the emperor assigned it?

Do you have any evidence that reading this book would be “doing evil?” I’d think it would give the OP a chance to make an argument from the Catholic perspective on the Sacramental nature of marriage.

 

[mt_gooseberry]

Oh, please. If “The Awakening” is too sinful for good Catholics to read we are in BIG trouble. The best of literature deals with the great conflicts of humanity, especially moral conflicts. If you do not allow yourself to read the Classics of literature for fear of encountering morally questionable situations, you will miss the opportunity for your conscience to examine the rights and wrongs of life, and grow and develop to the fullest extent. It’s probably better to encounter these situation through the pages of a book as opposed to in your own life, anyway! That’s how I would rather learn about the pitfalls of adultery… Get off your sanctimonious highhorse and read the book!

 

[Julia_Mae]

You can read the book. It’s not sexually explicit in any way and is not going to tempt you to sin. In fact, it makes sin seem extremely selfish, pointless, and lame. I’m sorry you have to read it, because it’s an awful book. Why didn’t you talk to your teacher about it when you got the book instead of letting yourself get behind and jeapordizing your grade? She could have told you that it wasn’t sexually explicit. Even if it was a book that had legitimate moral problems, she might have assigned you another book. If I was your teacher, I wouldn’t let you make it up.

I agree. Besides, it gives OP a chance to make a great case for Sacramental marriage if he manages to finish the book he hasn’t even started and write the paper which is probably due on Monday.

 

[Elizium23]

Do you have any evidence that reading this book would be “doing evil?” I’d think it would give the OP a chance to make an argument from the Catholic perspective on the Sacramental nature of marriage.

This has turned into a hypothetical discussion due to the doubtful nature of the book’s content and the possible scrupulosity of the OP. But let’s assume for a moment that the book is Fifty Shades of Grey, widely regarded today as “mommy porn”.

It is a personal value judgement and a discretionary call to make whether being exposed to certain content is indeed an occasion of sin for a particular person. For me, I can read Jehovah’s Witness tracts all the day long and not harm my faith by believing their dreck. For a catechumen in RCIA, they may be led astray by the idea that Jesus is not divine.

For a person who struggles with sexual impurity, reading a lascivious book is a near occasion of sin. It might get that person so aroused that he is compelled to masturbate. He might feel so weak as to allow himself to be seduced by the next pretty face to walk into a bar. He might feel that no sexual outlet is adequate except hiding in the bushes and raping the next woman to come by. These are all clearly grave matter in different degrees, but the commonality is that they are the fruit of small seeds. When you are drowning in sin, the first step to eternal life is getting out of the water. Learning to swim through an ocean of temptation means taking baby steps at first and is a lifelong process. We cannot stay afloat if we continually attach lead weights to our belt.

 

[coachdennis]

This has turned into a hypothetical discussion due to the doubtful nature of the book’s content and the possible scrupulosity of the OP. But let’s assume for a moment that the book is Fifty Shades of Grey, widely regarded today as “mommy porn”.

It is a personal value judgement and a discretionary call to make whether being exposed to certain content is indeed an occasion of sin for a particular person. For me, I can read Jehovah’s Witness tracts all the day long and not harm my faith by believing their dreck. For a catechumen in RCIA, they may be led astray by the idea that Jesus is not divine.

For a person who struggles with sexual impurity, reading a lascivious book is a near occasion of sin. It might get that person so aroused that he is compelled to masturbate. He might feel so weak as to allow himself to be seduced by the next pretty face to walk into a bar. He might feel that no sexual outlet is adequate except hiding in the bushes and raping the next woman to come by. These are all clearly grave matter in different degrees, but the commonality is that they are the fruit of small seeds. When you are drowning in sin, the first step to eternal life is getting out of the water. Learning to swim through an ocean of temptation means taking baby steps at first and is a lifelong process. We cannot stay afloat if we continually attach lead weights to our belt.

This does not help the OP with this particular question. By the account provided the OP has flunked a quiz and will possibly receive a failing grade by not doing a paper. From what we know the OP has not brought up her concerns and or. complaints about the material in question with her teacher or her parents. Most school systems allow for students to read an alternative book or do an alternative assignment if they find it offensive. Rather than doing that, the OP has chosen to take failing grades. There are alternatives that could be available to the student or as you say “getting out of the water.” Instead the OP is choosing to do ignore the problem. Without saying anything, the OP appears to be just a student who has not done the assignments. Teachers are not mind readers.

 

[missionarygirl]

I have not read the book, so I don’t know what’s in it. It is possible that it would be perfectly fine for you to read it, as some of the other posters seem to think. However, if after serious consideration you believe this book could become an occasion of sin for you, go to your teacher. Explain to him/her your situation. I’m sure the teacher can make exceptions for you.

 

[silicasandra]

I am a former English teacher (now SAHM) - and I can tell you that many examples of great literature feature characters doing sinful things. Even the Bible does this.

I don’t think The Awakening is a great novel, but it does bring up some interesting questions and is commonly read in high school. If you were concerned about the moral content, the proper time to bring it up would have been as soon as possible after you knew it was assigned, and had an opportunity to research it. As stated by a PP, most schools do have policies in place that allow for alternative reading. When I was teaching, on the first day of school all students got a list of all the major works we would be reading that year as well as some of the short stories and poems. I did this on my own initiative, but many other teachers do it and/or the class curriculum is available on the district website.

Honestly, if you came to me after the book was supposed to be finished and after doing poorly on the previous assignments, and told me you couldn’t read it because of immoral content, my BS detectors would be on super high alert.

 

[Elizium23]

There is a vast chasm of difference between reading about characters in a book committing sin, and reading a book that promotes sin to such an extent that you are tempted to commit it yourself. It is the difference between Scripture and Fifty Shades of Grey. One teaches by example the right path to God, and the other seeks to titillate and arouse and deny the dignity of married persons in a conjugal embrace.

 

[JimG]

There is a vast chasm of difference between reading about characters in a book committing sin, and reading a book that promotes sin to such an extent that you are tempted to commit it yourself. It is the difference between Scripture and Fifty Shades of Grey. One teaches by example the right path to God, and the other seeks to titillate and arouse and deny the dignity of married persons in a conjugal embrace.

But we are not discussing Fifty Shades of Gray here, but The Awakening, a Victorian novel. (I haven’t read 'Fifty Shades either, but I’ve read that it’s pretty boring. In any case, it has nothing to do with the current question.)

 

[VivienneJ]

Elizium, continuing to use ‘Fifty Shades of Gray’ to prove your point is not answering the question of the OP which refers clearly to a particular book, and one of a very different type.

There is a vast chasm of difference between reading about characters in a book committing sin, and reading a book that promotes sin to such an extent that you are tempted to commit it yourself. It is the difference between Scripture and Fifty Shades of Grey. One teaches by example the right path to God, and the other seeks to titillate and arouse and deny the dignity of married persons in a conjugal embrace.

For English class we were assigned to read a book called “The Awakening” which I didn’t read after looking at some of the reviews on the back cover and what my classmates were saying about it. Would reading this book be sinful matter due to its impure content? I’ve already flunked a quiz and assignment about it (probably an essay, too) and now I have to write a big paper on it that would surely sink my grade if I flunk that as well. What should I do?