Darkness Too Visible Response

Niko Amber 803
October 23, 2014


In the article, “Darkness to Visible,” by Megan Cox Gurdon, Gurdon discusses her opinion of Young Adult [YA] literature. Gurdon makes the claim that YA literature is too dark for the age group it targets. The author supports her claim by writing about how sinister she believes YA fiction is. She states, “[YA fiction is] so dark that kidnapping and pederasty and incest and brutal beatings are now just part of the run of things of novels directed, broadly speaking, at children from the ages of 12 to 18.” The author made this point to show the type of content that is typical in YA books. Gurdon strongly opposes the content of YA books and writes about it in her argument essay.

Gurdon uses specific craft moves to manipulate readers into agreeing with her claim. For instance, she begins her essay by using narrative about Amy Freeman, a 46-year-old woman who was looking in a bookstore for a YA novel for her thirteen-year-old daughter. Freeman left the store empty handed after finding no books that she deemed age appropriate. The author wrote this story to inspire the reader to identify with the experience of Amy Freeman. Gurdon’s article was published in The Wall Street Journal, she knows many of her readers will be adults who are looking for books for teenage children. The author also uses the loaded word “ghastly” to describe the subject matter of YA literature. The word ghastly is negatively charged. The author used this word to make the reader feel as though YA books are inappropriate and contain frightening content. The author wants the reader to release all thoughts about YA fiction being good for teens.

Gurdon’s assertion, that YA fiction is too dark for teenagers, is an opinion I do not agree with. I believe that certain YA books may have content that is too mature for some teenagers. However, I believe that it isn’t up to adults to prohibit what teens are reading. It is up to teens to know themselves as readers, and know what they feel comfortable reading. I believe that contrary to what Gurdon states in her essay, teens between the ages of 12 and 18 understand their personal boundaries. Teenagers know if they can handle books about self-multination, for example, or if they need to stay away from books on that subject matter. Adults should not ban YA books, because they don’t know everyone’s story, background and sensitivities. In conclusion, adults shouldn’t ban books but instead should make sure teens know the subject matter of the books they are planning to read, and whether or not they are ready for it.