This is an article published for the Trinity Digest, on February 4, 2011. Editor Garrett Kling actually came up with the idea after we discussed it in our Literary Theory class.
As “A Brave New World” graces Trinity’s stage this spring, students attending the play will be confronted with a controversial work of literature that is adapted for the stage.
Photo from Bethany Kemming
Associate Professor of English and Theatre Director Kristin Lindholm encourages students not to misinterpret “A Brave New World,” as the author Aldous Huxley wanted the audience to reject the message that the characters embrace through their immoral actions and disheartening beliefs, not embrace it.
According to Lindholm, the theatre department will be partnering with the Center for Bioethics and Human Dignity to host an event before “A Brave New World” to discuss the play and its message.
Misinterpreting controversial literature is not distant from the Christian community. Every few years a book or movie comes out that many Christians find highly controversial. The Golden Compass, The Harry Potter series, The Da Vinci Code, and many others have all sparked conversation and differing interpretations.
Books such as “What’s a Christian to Do With Harry Potter?” and articles like “The Good in the Golden Compass” from RelevantMagazine, frequently pop up among the Christian market, implying that Christians shouldn’t ignore books like these, but rather read and interpret them.
It can be difficult for Christians to determine where theline should be drawn about what is worthy of study and what to avoid. According to Lindholm, many Christians initially rejected the Harry Potter series, but eventually “talked their way around” the series, and it is popular among many Christians today. Many see Harry Potter as a Christ figure, while others ban their children from reading the book based on its inclusion of wizardry and witchcraft in a positive light.
Students that have taken American Literature II at Trinity have encountered a “classic” but controversial title, “The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn.” The novel has been controversial among many literary communities, not just the Christian community, because of the racism in the novel and use of derogatory terms. Senior Hannah Held said she found class discussion helpful in interpreting the novel.
“I was able to look at the book in light of what it could reveal about racism, rather than simply condemning the book as part of the problem of racism,” Held said.
According to Lindholm, Trinity does not have an official policy on what literature can be chosen as part of class curriculum. The plays and musicals, however, do have to go through a review process.
Held said it can be beneficial to discuss a controversial work respectfully and maturely as part of coursework for a class discussion.
“The context is of utmost importance in a situation like that,” Held said.
Held also believes that Christians should know the boundaries of their beliefs and make decisions with the aid of research, prayer, and an individual that will hold them accountable and make sure they do not read “unconsciously,” without thinking about the issues.
Lindholm said the arena of controversial literature is an opportunity for Christians to follow Paul’s admonition in Romans 14 to not be a stumbling block for others and seek that which is edifying. Christians need to be wise and careful about their judgments.
“There are standards. Not everything is worth reading,” Lindholm said.
Lindholm maintains personal standards for deciding what’s appropriate to read and study. Evil must be shown to be evil, and not glorified. Lindholm also believes that if a Christian is seeing negative effects in their life because of a book, they should stop reading.
Senior Amanda Krup works with junior high students, and said she finds it helpful to read some of what they are reading to help them find the good elements in the literature, as well as point out the unhealthy aspects.
Krup said readers should keep the genre of what they are reading in mind, and find the good or entertainment in what they choose to read.
“The [controversial books] that I have read are just like anything else in life and need to be looked at with a godly world view,” Krup said.
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