Green Eggs and Ham Growing up, It was common for children to be familiar with the well-known children’s picture book “ Green Eggs and Ham” written by the famous author Dry. Issues. This famous story was written “ when someone challenged him to write a book using 50 words or less” (Floorboards 2). The gist of the book “ Green Eggs and Ham” Is It Is about a character called “ Sam I Am. ” Cam’s goal In the book Is to try and get his roommate who is very grouchy and negative to try green eggs and ham in different locations throughout the story. Some of these locations include a boat or a house.
Not only does Sam want his roommate to try green eggs and ham in various locations, but also with various dining partners, including a goat and a mouse. The story ends by when the roommate gives in to Cam’s constant begging for him to try the food and tries a bite of the Green Eggs and Ham, where he learns that he actually enjoys the taste of Green Eggs and Ham. Although Green Eggs and Ham is a great favorite among most according to the article “ Banned Books Week: Green Eggs and Ham,” Green Eggs and Ham was banned between 1965 and 1 991 in the People’s Republic of China because off portrayal of “ Early Marxism. (Lieberman 1).
“ Marxism Is the political and economic theories of Karl Marx, which later developed Into the basis for communism” (Albertan 1). The general Idea of Marxism Is to have the people owning the factories and working in them. Being a different culture, China beliefs were very strong to the issue. The China culture believed that the government should have complete control and own everything. However, this goes against Mar’s ideas of the workers owning the factories. Author Sherries Lieberman states her claim hat in “ Green Eggs and Ham,” Sam “ owns” his own eggs, and is almost selling his product to his friend.
Sam is showing his independence and giving his friend “ wealth” in the form of extra food (Lieberman 1). This sense of independence did not settle well with the China society leading to having this children’s book as a banned one. Earl Marxism was not the only reason found for banning Green Eggs and Ham. According to the article “ Ten Surprisingly Banned Books,” this “ harmless” picture book was also banned In a school In California for having homosexual seduction. In the book Sam tries to convince his friend to eat the different looking food known as green eggs and ham.
Author Sam Parker states that the ham is representing a sausage, the sausage being a phallic symbol (Parker 1).
Several of the lines in the story such as “ Would you, could you, on a boat, would you could you with a goat,” (Issues 3) were said that it was suggesting sexual places. Even with all the reasons to ban this very famous children’s book the ban did eventually get uplifted. The ban was only uplifted because of Issues’ death in September of 1991 (Parker 1). When reading these articles about the book I couldn’t help but to laugh.
This book Just proves that parents will do anything and say anything to protect their children even if it is Just some innocent children’s book.
Wolf Floorboards states that “ one of the main things Dry. Issues Is known for Is man who some think created, “ the world of imagination” as we know It In children’s literature” (Floorboards 1). The key phrase being the world of imagination. His writing style is so unique that it allows the reader to use their best rites is that the challengers being made in the story are Just over analyzing the messages is his books.
Over analyzing leads to negativity to these innocent books which causes them to be banned. Any Dry.
Issues books especially “ Green Eggs and Ham” reveal that our culture is filled with over thinkers that take the fun out of a child’s imagination, and turn it into a twisted remark like the sexual sausage content. Having this book banned in China also proves the pattern that no matter what county one goes to it common to stick with what you know. Meaning if a book doesn’t fit with hat the culture of the country it is not going to get positive feedback.
At the end of the day reading is a form of art. Writers share their wisdom and experiences through their words.
Challenging and banning books takes a writers identity away and limits ones way to viewing another perspective. Is it right? Well that is where society debates. If a book as simple as “ Green Eggs and Ham” has its complaints then it is hard to understand if these patterns are Just to make noise and take an author’s identity or to actually protect a culture and their beliefs.
