This paper sets out to examine the controversial issues of the book “Are You there God? It’s me Margaret”, and the level suitable for reading. The book by Judy Blume (1970), takes on a humorous and insightful journey through the pubescent stage of twelve year old Margaret Simon’s life. We hear all her private thoughts about what goes on in her life and what she would rather happen in her life. While Blume’s book, is an profound and comical read for pre-teen girls, I believe that students in fifth grade and higher should be able to read the book.
While the language of the book is simple for the reading level of a third grader (Titlewave), the content is too mature for them and should be selected for older, preteen students who understand and are in the midst of going through those stages in life.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. Evaluation
3. Controversial Issues
3.1 Issue one
3.2 Issue two
4. Final Decision
5. Conclusion
Research Objectives and Themes
The primary objective of this work is to analyze the controversial themes present in Judy Blume's "Are You there God? It’s me Margaret" and to argue against its censorship in school libraries, emphasizing its educational value and emotional resonance for pre-teen girls.
- Exploration of religious identity and the personal struggle of belief.
- Representation of female puberty and body development in literature.
- The role of open communication in alleviating adolescent anxiety.
- Analysis of censorship and its negative impact on young readers.
- Evaluation of the book's suitability for middle school students versus younger audiences.
Excerpt from the Book
Controversial Issues
There are themes throughout the book that are controversial for some readers. Any children’s book that deals with religious beliefs always attracts both positive and negative attention (Brewbaker, 1983). She prays to God daily because she finds comfort in telling him all her secret thoughts and asks Him for guidance as she struggles with choosing her exact religious beliefs. After attempting a Catholic church ritual of confession, that did not live up to her standards, Margaret prays, “I looked for you when I wanted to confess. But you weren’t there. I didn’t feel you at all. Not the way I do when I talk to you at night. Why God? Why do I only feel you when I’m alone?”(Blume, p.120). Margaret’s parents, being raised in two very different religious households, chose not to raise her a certain way. Instead, they decided to let her choose her religion when she is old enough. However, contradictory to her parents’decisions, Margaret is faced with two sets of grandparents who believe it is important she choose a religion and sometimes take matters into their own hands (Blume 1970). The book highlights the fact that “Margaret finds that pressures from loving grandparents, Jewish on one side and Christian on the other, can make the business of choosing a religion pretty distasteful”(Brewbaker, 1983). Other controversial issues that are presented in the book (Blume 1970) are boys, first kisses, and expressions of sexuality. Margaret’s new friend Nancy brings up the fact numerous times that boys are only interested in “pictures of naked girls and dirty books”(p.11). Margaret even brings her dad’s copy of Playboy to one of her girl group meetings to look at the centerfold’s chest (Blume, 1970). Another controversial issue that is prominent in the entire book is female body development: “Menstruation lies at the center of Margaret’s world and her thoughts are monopolized by anxiety about when her period will come, how it will happen, and what it will feel like” (Szymanski, p.3).
Summary of Chapters
Introduction: This chapter introduces Judy Blume's novel and argues that while the reading level is simple, the mature content makes it most appropriate for middle school students.
Evaluation: This section examines how the book serves as a realistic fiction narrative that allows readers to connect with the protagonist's personal growth and challenges.
Controversial Issues: This chapter explores the themes that have led to the book being challenged, specifically focusing on religious identity, puberty, and early sexuality.
Issue one: This sub-chapter analyzes Margaret's complex relationship with God and her struggle to navigate the conflicting expectations of her parents and grandparents regarding religious faith.
Issue two: This sub-chapter focuses on the physical development of the protagonist, addressing the anxiety surrounding puberty and the normalization of these experiences for young girls.
Final Decision: This chapter argues against the banning of the book, asserting that preventing access to these themes causes more harm than good for adolescent development.
Conclusion: This final chapter synthesizes the arguments and reinforces the necessity of the book as an informative and comforting resource for pre-teen girls.
Keywords
Judy Blume, Are You there God? It’s me Margaret, adolescence, puberty, censorship, religion, middle school literature, female development, adolescent anxiety, book banning, realistic fiction, menstruation, religious identity, student perspectives, education.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary focus of this academic work?
This paper examines the controversial themes in Judy Blume's novel and discusses why the book remains an essential resource for middle school students despite attempts to censor it.
What are the central themes discussed in the analysis?
The analysis covers religious identity and questioning, the physical and emotional changes during female puberty, and the impact of censorship on adolescent access to literature.
What is the main research objective?
The goal is to demonstrate that the book's realistic depiction of "coming of age" struggles provides necessary comfort and guidance to young readers, outweighing concerns about mature content.
Which scientific method is utilized in this study?
The author employs a literature review and thematic analysis, drawing on existing educational research and studies regarding children's views on censorship.
What is covered in the main body of the text?
The main body evaluates the protagonist's internal journey, the specific controversial issues of religion and puberty, and the broader social implications of banning such literature.
Which keywords best characterize this work?
Key terms include adolescence, censorship, religious identity, puberty, and literature analysis.
How does the author characterize the conflict between Margaret and her grandparents?
The author highlights the pressure Margaret feels from her grandparents to adopt a specific faith, which makes her personal quest for spiritual understanding more difficult.
Why does the author argue that the book is useful for school settings?
The author suggests the book can be used to foster diversity and discussion in the classroom, helping students recognize that their own experiences and questions are universal.
- Arbeit zitieren
- Phyllis Economy (Autor:in), 2015, Children's Literature. The Controversy in Judy Blume's "Are You There God? It's Me Margaret", München, GRIN Verlag, https://www.hausarbeiten.de/document/367240
