Profanity, Disgust, and Dangerous Literature: A Hermeneutical Analysis of the Catcher in the Rye and the Chocolate War

Varying levels and types of colloquial language are considered inappropriate, especially profanity. Obscene language is one aspect applied to the R-rating for movies and television shows. Profanity also plays a large role as a deterrent in books; consequently, profanity is a popular motive for banning books in schools and libraries. What if instead of turning away from profanity, readers could analyze and understand the reasons and meaning behind the profane words? Hermeneutics, used as a philosophical lens, allows for deeper understanding of textual language. If interpreted through educational and historical context with the aid of hermeneutics, profanity becomes a useful literary element within the text. Rather than banning books from high school curricula, educators and students can interpret the meaning and underlying purpose of profanity in literature. This study utilizes hermeneutics as a lens for understanding the role of profanity in two young adult novels: The Catcher in the Rye and The Chocolate War. Profanity usage in both novels is indicative of the realistic nature of the characters’ lives and struggles. Students need to know that their interpretation—of a text, of the world, of themselves—is important. The reader-response approach to literary criticism allows for an intimate relationship to develop between the reader and the object of interpretation— in this case the text. Analysis and discussion of the experiences that human beings have and our ability to share these experiences through language and fusions of horizons in Gadamer’s hermeneutics allows for true education—ensuring understanding can take place

Silence.

Teaching in the COVID-19 pandemic has been a challenge for many reasons. In addition to personal fears and worrying about survival, educators like myself wonder if what we are doing for our students is enough. This same worry is mixed with an existential backlash. What is enough? Why are we even trying? This poem reflects my lived experience with the emotional journey of working virtually during the pandemic

Profanity, Disgust, and Dangerous Literature: A Hermeneutical Analysis of the Catcher in the Rye and the Chocolate War

Varying levels and types of colloquial language are considered inappropriate, especially profanity. Obscene language is one aspect applied to the R-rating for movies and television shows. Profanity also plays a large role as a deterrent in books; consequently, profanity is a popular motive for banning books in schools and libraries. What if instead of turning away from profanity, readers could analyze and understand the reasons and meaning behind the profane words? Hermeneutics, used as a philosophical lens, allows for deeper understanding of textual language. If interpreted through educational and historical context with the aid of hermeneutics, profanity becomes a useful literary element within the text. Rather than banning books from high school curricula, educators and students can interpret the meaning and underlying purpose of profanity in literature. This study utilizes hermeneutics as a lens for understanding the role of profanity in two young adult novels: The Catcher in the Rye and The Chocolate War. Profanity usage in both novels is indicative of the realistic nature of the characters’ lives and struggles. Students need to know that their interpretation—of a text, of the world, of themselves—is important. The reader-response approach to literary criticism allows for an intimate relationship to develop between the reader and the object of interpretation— in this case the text. Analysis and discussion of the experiences that human beings have and our ability to share these experiences through language and fusions of horizons in Gadamer’s hermeneutics allows for true education—ensuring understanding can take place

Contribution of rural electrification to household income in Moshi district, Tanzania

Tanzania is among the countries with lower rural electrification rates. It is estimated that less than five percent of the rural population are using grid electricity services. This study assesses the contribution of rural electrification to household income in Moshi District, Tanzania. Specifically, the study aimed at identifying income generating activities undertaken using grid electricity, assessing the contribution of grid to household income as well as identifying the challenges in utilization of grid electricity services in income generating activities. A multistage sampling technique was used to select a total 120 (60 with grid and without grid services respectively) respondents for the study. The study identified among others, iron wedding, compact disc burning and grain milling as income generating activities influenced by presence of grid electricity. The household annual income ranged from 800 000 Tshs to 46 000 000 Tshs and there were statistically significant differences in income between households with grid electricity services and those without. In addition, the study identified reliability of services, high application standards, and higher bill as challenges associated with grid electricity services. The study concludes that grid electricity contributes to increased household income. Furthermore, the study recommends that, the government and development partners should secure necessary financial resources to invest in rural electrification

The Victims Court: A Study of 622 Victim Participants at the International Criminal Court

This multi-country study interviews 622 survivors of war crimes and crimes against humanity is an independent study written at the request of the International Criminal Court and released at the Assembly of States Parties meeting in The Hague on Nov. 20, 2015. The study finds that meaningful victim participation at the International Criminal Court (ICC) hinges on greater investment by member states in outreach and educational programs, so that victims can more fully understand their rights under the Rome Statute