A sweet revenge: Finding reality in books banned or not

After all this time, I still wonder why it took me such a long time to finally read two of the most significant and literary masterpieces in the English language that were eyeing me each time I visited our local public library. Perhaps I thought that compared to other monumental literary works these two books will never equal to my revered expectations.

These two books were Jack Kerouac’s “On The Road” and Sylvia Plath’s “The Bell Jar.” And, as I read these two books within a week or so, I was simply awestruck by the shear earthiness, gut level and genuine illustration of a life without any gimmicks and artificial suspense or dramatizations.

“On The Road” was simply a story about bunch of guys driving around the country, and yes, fully intoxicated and driving of course way above the speed limit, in search for a meaning of life and “The Bell Jar” is a story about a young woman who has earned an internship at a fictional Ladies’ Day magazine, but she is not able to find her inner self in a world dazzled with supermodels, glamour and fashion.

Who knew that I was lucky enough to be able to read these books just at a time when both “On The Road” and “The Bell Jar” are currently on the list of books being considered to be banned from the shelves of school and public libraries. And I guess those right wing political organizations, led by so-called concerned parents, are trying to do everything possible to protect their children from the real world of sex, drugs and alcohol and of course any reference and discussion about soul searching, personal agonies or depression.

Amazingly, these same parents who seem almost in military mode in their quest to shield their children from the unavoidable controversies and challenges of our everyday life, have no problem with their children being glued to the TV or their iPads for hours, brimming with videos of innocent looking characters whose every cheer, giggle and chuckle provides the children with a fantasized and daydream-like image of a life that is totally disconnected with reality. And these are the children who when they become adults will never have the emotional strength and preparedness to face the challenges of a life that is much more than chuckles and giggles, and will be unable to offer answers to the social, economical and emotional disputes and complications they will face.

And speaking of reality, the absurdity of banning math books as it is becoming the law of the State of Florida is where a literary fiction is actually being transformed into becoming a real life. Banning math books? And sure, we all agree that math is a subject that should not have any emotional connotations. Three lollipops plus 2 lollipops equals 5 lollipops. That’s it. That’s math. There should be no, absolutely none, emotional response to an image of a lollipop. But what happens if that image of a lollipop brings to a child’s mind the memory of a visit to his or her first haircut and the barber with a foreign accent and who with a gentle smile gave the child his or her first lollipop that tasted so sweet and heavenly.

No. No. No. Stop right there. There should be absolutely no emotions. No associations and no nostalgia when it comes to teaching math according to the math book ban laws currently being proposed in Florida. However, any teacher who is filled with love and compassion will agree that those emotional associations toward an object like a lollipop might help the child to feel at ease and be less intimidated by the cut and dry nature of the subject of math!

Speaking of lollipops, I think I might have one or, using my math skills, 1 lollipop plus 1 lollipop, equals to 2 lollipops. And yes, I will have 2 lollipops to celebrate the fact that I managed to read 2 books that are currently on the list to be banned.

What a sweet revenge!

 

Varoujan Froundjian is a digital artist and writer. He can be reached at: varlink3050@gmail.com.

The views expressed here are not necessarily those of The Lakeville Journal and The Journal does not support or oppose candidates for public office.

Latest News

Swift House committee learns of potential buyer at first meeting

Swift House in Kent.

By Ruth Epstein

KENT — The fate of the Swift House is once again front and center after the newly formed Swift House Investigation Committee held its first meeting Tuesday, Feb. 24 — and learned that a local attorney is interested in buying the historic property.

At the meeting’s outset, committee member Marge Smith said local attorney Anthony Palumbo has expressed interest in purchasing the building. “He loves it and said he’d be honored to buy it and maybe lease part of it back to the town. He would be OK with a conservation easement.” She said he supports several previously proposed uses, including a welcome center and exhibition space.

Keep ReadingShow less
Sharon median home price rises to $710,000 as inventory tightens

119 Amenia Union Road — A four-bedroom, 2.5-bath home built in 1872 on 4.42 acres recently sold for $522,500.

Photo by Christine Bates

SHARON — The 12-month trailing median price for a single-family home in Sharon increased to $710,000 for the period ending Jan. 31, 2026 — its highest point since September 2024 as home values across much of Connecticut continued to edge higher.

The figure marks an increase from the $560,000 median recorded for the 12 months ending Jan. 31, 2025, and from $645,000 for the comparable period ending Jan. 31, 2024. While January and February are typically slow months, the 12-month rolling figure reflects a broader reset.

Keep ReadingShow less
Kent's towering snowman honors Robbie Kennedy

Jeff Kennedy visits the 20-foot-high snowman located in the Golden Falcon lot in Kent that was created in honor of his late brother Robbie Kennedy.

Photo by Ruth Epstein

KENT – Snowman Robbie stands prominently in the center of town, just as its namesake — longtime Kent resident Robbie Kennedy — did for so many years.

The 20-foot-high frozen sculpture pays tribute to Kennedy, who died Feb. 9, at the age of 71. A beloved member of the community, he was a familiar sight riding his bicycle along town roads waving to all he passed. Many people knew him from his days working at Davis IGA, the local supermarket. He was embraced by the Kent Fire Department, where he was named an active emergency member and whose members chipped in to buy him a new bike, and by the Kent School football team where coach Ben Martin made him his assistant. At Templeton Farms senior apartments, he was the helpful tenant, always eager to assist his neighbors.

Keep ReadingShow less
google preferred source

Want more of our stories on Google? Click here to make us a Preferred Source.

Classifieds - February 26, 2026

Classifieds - February 26, 2026

Help Wanted

PART-TIME CARE-GIVER NEEDED: possibly LIVE-IN. Bright private STUDIO on 10 acres. Queen Bed, En-Suite Bathroom, Kitchenette & Garage. SHARON 407-620-7777.

The Salisbury Association’s Land Trust seeks part-time Land Steward: Responsibilities include monitoring easements and preserves, filing monitoring reports, documenting and reporting violations or encroachments, and recruiting and supervising volunteer monitors. The Steward will also execute preserve and trail stewardship according to Management Plans and manage contractor activity. Up to 10 hours per week, compensation commensurate with experience. Further details and requirements are available on request. To apply: Send cover letter, resume, and references to info@salisburyassociation.org. The Salisbury Association is an equal opportunity employer.

Keep ReadingShow less
To save birds, plant for caterpillars

Fireweed attracts the fabulous hummingbird sphinx moth.

Photo provided by Wild Seed Project

You must figure that, as rough as the cold weather has been for us, it’s worse for wildlife. Here, by the banks of the Housatonic, flocks of dark-eyed juncos, song sparrows, tufted titmice and black-capped chickadees have taken up residence in the boxwood — presumably because of its proximity to the breakfast bar. I no longer have a bird feeder after bears destroyed two versions and simply throw chili-flavored birdseed onto the snow twice a day. The tiny creatures from the boxwood are joined by blue jays, cardinals and a solitary flicker.

These birds will soon enough be nesting, and their babies will require a nonstop diet of caterpillars. This source of soft-bodied protein makes up more than 90 percent of native bird chicks’ diets, with each clutch consuming between 6,000 and 9,000 caterpillars before they fledge. That means we need a lot of caterpillars if we want our bird population to survive.

Keep ReadingShow less
Stephanie Haboush Plunkett and the home for American illustration

Stephanie Haboush Plunkett

L. Tomaino
"The field of illustration is very close to my heart"
— Stephanie Plunkett

For more than three decades, Stephanie Haboush Plunkett has worked to elevate illustration as a serious art form. As chief curator and Rockwell Center director at the Norman Rockwell Museum in Stockbridge, Massachusetts, she has helped bring national and international attention to an art form long dismissed as merely commercial.

Her commitment to illustration is deeply personal. Plunkett grew up watching her father, Joseph Haboush, an illustrator and graphic designer, work late into the night in his home studio creating art and hand-lettered logos for package designs, toys and licensed-character products for the Walt Disney Co. and other clients.

Keep ReadingShow less
google preferred source

Want more of our stories on Google? Click here to make us a Preferred Source.

google preferred source

Want more of our stories on Google? Click here to make us a Preferred Source.