to think Roald Dahl's 'Revolting Rhymes' should be banned?

[SquareholeRoundpeg]

I know Dahl is a national treasure and children love a bit of gore and all that - but DH and I were shocked at some of the language used in some of the stories (it is not easy to shock DH!)

There is a line in the Cinderella story where the prince says of Cinderella, 'who is this dirty slut'. Had to pause on that part when reading to DS!

The language in the story shows how deeply engrained misogynistic attitudes are, and continue to be carried through in our children's literature.

How can this be allowed?!!!

[FutureGadgetsLab]

You're being unreasonable to think it should be banned but you're bot unreasonable to think it's crap and misogynistic.

[allegretto]

Slut used to just mean slovenly rather than sexual.

[Atenco]

You've gotta be kidding!

[HippyPottyMouth]

The traditional meaning of 'slut' is like 'slattern,' dirty with dirt rather than sexually dirty.

[BeckyWithTheMediocreHair]

Banned? Seriously? By whom?

Dahl is using 'slut' in its original meaning of slovenly, FWIW.

[allegretto]

In any case - I wouldn't ban it. Even if you disagree with it, why ban?

[TipBoov]

It used to have a different meaning (I.e someone with low standards of cleanliness!) but these days obviously it has a much worse meaning.

Not something I'd want to read to my DS at the moment, but I don't think banning a classic is the answer.

[SquareholeRoundpeg]

Slut in today's context means something quite different!

[SecretSpy]

I choose to interpret that as slut being used as slattern. And YABU I love Revolting Rhymes and Dirty Beasts

[Oysterbabe]

As above re slut definition. Yabu.

[albertcampionscat]

Reverse thread, surely?

[TurnOffTheTv]

How can this be allowed?!!!
Good lord get over yourself.

[SavoyCabbage]

I don't really like RD but I do like the revolting rhymes. Slut used to mean a poor housekeeper.

Most fairy tale stuff is pretty sexist generally.

[JonSnowsBeardClippings]

Banning books? Don't be a twat

[MeepyMupp]

[trickleupeffect]

Another person to say probably using slut to mean slovenly. Absolutely love Roald Dahl, love his irreverence, by all means don't read him with your DC if it's not you cup of tea, but banning is ridiculous. Especially on grounds of misogyny. Matilda? Sophie from BFG? Little Red Riding Hood? Great girl protagonists. YABU

[tinofbeans]

Have you tried reading Beatrix Potter recently? The violence is shocking!

[BerylStreep]

They used this line at my DS's drama group in school, even after I had raised my objections to the (external) drama teacher. The Head wasn't as blasé about it when I complained to her. The drama teacher no longer works there.

Whether the phrase 'you dirty slut' is used in the older meaning of the word, it is still a denigrating term towards women.

I can't see how Dahl could be banned, or even that it would be a good thing to do, but if using his materials in school then it should be judiciously edited.

[Dvallin]

Hmm, censorship or education, which to choooose?

How hard is it to explain the meaning of the word to your special snowflake?

[TheSuspiciousMsWhicher]

Well, in the context it means 'slattern'.

However, when Yr 6 did the play at DDs school, I know they changed the line so the meaning was the same but the word 'slut' was omitted.

Banning it is a ridiculous suggestion, though.

[BeckyWithTheMediocreHair]

Of Mice and Men and To Kill A Mockingbird make pretty free with the 'n' word. Shall we ban them, too?

Tell you what, OP. Get the fires going and we'll burn the lot. That always goes well.

[HazelBite]

This is Dh's favourite book he could not read it for laughing. YABVU Its pure genius

[Jellybeam]

Should ban some Enid Blyton instead

[SquareholeRoundpeg]

Ok ban a little harsh - how about edit the word 'slut'.

'Of Mice and Men' and 'To Kill a Mockingbird' for slightly older audiences, no?

[PelvicFloorClenchReminder]

I had a feeling when I clicked on this it would be the 'slut' in Cinderella, it is pretty shocking in something so tame. I've been anti-Dahl since Esio Trot though.