A Critical Review of The Book of Approved Words
A Critical Review of The Book of Approved Words
Douglas W. Jantz
Sometimes, what the law determines to be illegal does not determine what is the right, just, and moral thing to do. The Book of Approved Words appeared as an essay in the literary magazine, After Dinner Conversation, then later in a special themed edition of the same magazine, Government Ethics. The author, W.M. Pienton, writes a very interesting scenario in which certain words are illegal and are forbidden to be used by anyone, with dreadful and sometimes unknown consequences, for doing so. Not only that, but everyone is monitored to ensure that these words are never used and are erased from sight everywhere. In a society that has roots in free speech, how far is the government authorized to go in restricting our expression with that speech? In Pienton’s story, two brothers make the decision to do what they determine is the right and just thing to do. When we think the government has gone too far in restricting our speech, writing, and our lives in general and done so to the detriment of others, then we may have to make the decision to do what we think is the right thing to do as well.
Pienton opens the story with Pete, who is an Approved Writer, watching a show on his VCR. Pete has old shows, illegal now, because of language using words which were no longer allowed in usage. He ruminates over the use of words in the past with no restraint. Being an Approved Writer, licensed by the government, he has to edit all of his published material on a regular basis to cancel out any of the new illegal words. Easter had been made an illegal word earlier that year, because, “It excludes non-Christians and is now considered offensive” (Pienton, 2021, p. 101). He had to be very careful, he knew, because another writer had recently used an illegal word and was put in prison, maybe executed.
How does one keep up with all the changes and avoid punishment? The government has that base covered as well with the updated The Book of Approved Words, which Peter does not have. It is available at the Bureau of Acceptable Language. This book has essentially replaced the dictionary, since that word itself had become illegal as well, for making people feel lesser and uneducated.
In order for Pete to keep up with the approved words he is able to use he goes to the Bureau of Acceptable Language to get a new copy only to find out that now he has to turn in his old copy so that all the illegal words can be destroyed. He is also told that now he will also be fingerprinted when he picks up his new copy and will need to renew his license to write. This is all being done so that the government can keep track of the writers and word criminals, those using illegal words. Peter notices the book is again thinner than the year before.
After all this he returns home to find his brother, Silas, waiting for him. Silas had been an Approved Writer but had used illegal words on purpose then went into hiding. He came to ask Pete’s help because the Freedom of Speech Movement needed him. This movement was all about allowing all words and subjects to be discussed, no limits. He needed the books their dad had left so he could scan them. The Bureau of Acceptable Language had found all their old books and destroyed them all.
He tells Pete the movement is going to publish an old dictionary so that everyone can have access to all the words. It is a big undertaking, and since Pete is an Approved Writer, meaning only he can submit work for publishing, his help is needed to get it done. Any work submitted by an Approved Writer has to be published. Pete knew he would have to go into hiding but would have some time before the Bureau discovered what had been done. After being reassigned to music album reviews he agrees to help. He and Silas work through an entire night, scanning old books and formerly approved words. Friends move all Pete’s things to a safe house, then they hit the submit button. They leave Pete’s old house as he looks back at his past life. The deed was done. People would now again have access to what has been censored, their own language.
What Pete and Silas did was illegal, and it has severe consequences if they are ever caught. But they considered what the government is doing is restricting the freedom of the people and it was not right. In a world of cancel culture and of banning books today, maybe we can take a cue from these brothers. We are at times trying to do the same thing as the government in Peinton’s story. Tearing down statues that tell the story of our country’s past, even though that history is many times ugly, is one aspect of it. State governments, as well as our Supreme Court, are taking away rights from the population, restricting more and more what we can do, places where we can go, and books we can read, while at the same time protecting those who are taking away those rights.
What is the right, moral, and just thing to do? The choices are to comply with the laws and rules, or to ignore them and do what our moral compass guides us to do. History shows us that not all laws are made equal for all. Laws have been put into place in the past enforcing racial segregation, protecting slavery, and restricting women in society, not to mention people of color being ostracized. What is legal does not determine what is moral. Sometimes we need to carry out actions that we deem to be morally right but may be illegal. What Pete and Silas did in publishing the dictionary for all is to open up that world that had been shut off from them, restricting their freedom to use language.
Yes, at times what is illegal may need to be done. Morality is not determined by legality. Buy banned books and give them out. Watch films that are not supposed to be watched. Join a protest for a just cause even though it may mean jail time. Write and publish the essay that might bring backlash from some quarters. Moral judgment needs to be used in making decisions. If the government makes laws that go against one’s moral compass then conscience must be followed.
References
Pienton, W.M. (2021, July). The book of approved words. After Dinner Conversation, 2(7), 101-108.
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