THE NIGHTMARE NETWORK - View Single Post - Exposing Students to Controversial Writings

01-22-2017

Quote Originally Posted by Mr. Veech

Some books, I believe, are meant to be read in private; others can be read in an open manner. I love the Marquis de Sade's Justine because it's a brilliant moral critique of theodicy (like Voltaire's Candide), but I wouldn't use it as material for a book club.

I'd actually love to use something like that for a book club, haha.

In my experience, anybody has the potential to appreciate any taboo content in literature contained in a piece of literature. I went to a poetry reading at a local art center, which was populated exclusively by senior citizens. I got up and read an obscene poem about masturbation, because that particular poem I'm rather proud of, and they didn't seem outwardly fazed. Indeed, they complimented my work heartily after the event was over!