Censorship in Writing In 2023, the number of books being targeted for explicit material skyrocketed with a 65% increase than the amount of books targeted in 2022, reaching higher levels than have been seen in the past 20 years (American Library Association). Several of these books are being banned in schools, including at levels where students would be experiencing similar topics in day to day life. One of these books would be One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest by Ken Keesey. This book is targeted in schools around America due to the use of questionable material within the novel. Students at high school levels across the country are unable to read this piece of literature in a class as several schools have already banned this targeted book, however,…show more content… Another example of violence in the book is when Nurse Rachet, the power hungry head nurse, alongside the black boys, beat Chief by holding him down and jamming a bag down his throat with a mop handle (Kesey 13). While this is violent, reading about it may help readers gain a deeper sense of empathy, which is a highly important skill in day to day life (Carol). Another reason this book is so heavily challenged is the profound usage of profanity and foul language throughout the story. Throughout the story, characters say things such as, “‘As near as I can tell you’re not any crazier than the average asshole on the street-,’” (Kesey 61), or asking if another character is bullshitting him (Kesey 167). While the profane language is very prominent throughout the book, several students experience the use of profanity or use it themselves, so censoring the profanity does no good (Nathaniel). The profanity also allows the reader to have a connection to the characters as the language adds a sense of realism (Nathaniel). A final major example of questionable material within the novel would be sexual situations and
