Fahrenheit 450

Abstract

In this article, we use what we are dubbing “Conversation through Poem” to explore the lived experiences of a father and his daughter, a young adult who has read many of the books that are frequently labeled controversial and banned in schools and libraries. We wrote a series of poems to reflect on how and to what degree reading controversial books has had positive or negative effects. With Parsons’ Reproduction Theory (1959) as a framework, our discussion and reflection through poetry suggests that rather than indoctrinating young people, reading “controversial” books leads to an understanding an openness, as well as showing the need for the voice of young adults in the very conversations surrounding banned books.

Keywords

• arts-based research; banned books; ethnography; poetry