We All Fall Down(Why Tt Was Banned)

We All Fall Down “Ring around the rosy, pocket full of posies, ashes, ashes, we all fall down. ” This nursery rhyme and We All Fall Down are alike in a way. They both result in the falling of dead bodies as they land on the ground, now corpses. The book We All Fall Down was banned due to its violence and vandalism (Sova 2; We All Fall Down); the occurring sexual content (Marshall University Libraries 1); and the alcoholic references and profanity (Cormier; occurring theme) that haunt its pages.

The book is worthwhile because it has such a suspenseful plot (Sova 1; We All Fall Down); its advanced vocabulary is enough to be at a college level and it teaches good morals and values (Cormier; throughout book); and the book explores the responsibilities of peoples towards others as well as the motives of teenagers to commit such brutal acts (Sova 2; We All Fall Down). This book shouldn’t be banned because it displays the struggles and family ties that the characters learn to cope with (Cormier; whole book).

It has relationships between the trashers’ families and the main heroine’s that differ and demonstrate the importance of close knit ties (Sova 2; We All Fall Down). The book also contains romance to relieve itself from its dark, malignant plot (Sova 3; We All Fall Down). We All Fall Down was banned for a multitude of things for the content it contained. A reason it was banned was for its violence and vandalism (Sova 1; Censorship History of We All Fall Down). The one murderer in this story is the Avenger, a mysterious eleven year old who avenges for the sole purpose of justice.

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His first victim was his own classmate in the fifth grade, Vaughn Masterson. Vaughn was a bully who humiliated the other children as well as cheat off the Avenger’s tests. The Avenger saw no end to his constant teasing and began to observe his target. He followed him home and knew all his activities. The Avenger is all about observation, and after much of it, he put on his “thinking cap” to devise his murderous plot. After following Vaughn home and into his backyard where Vaughn was playing, he pulled out his grandfather’s revolver and shot Vaughn’s face to shreds.

The avenger felt no guilt or regret even at Vaughn’s funeral, and instead chuckled and smiled to himself. The Avenger also pushed his grandfather off his own balcony, proving to himself that killing could be done without the use of weapons. His grandfather was a retired policeman, and after much interrogation by his grandfather, the Avenger decided the only way to save himself from being found was to kill a second time. His “thinking cap” went on once again and his plan carried out perfectly. With two murders, the Avenger was nothing but pleased for his eleven year old heart dreaded nothing.

Violence such as this occurred and still occurs worldwide, so banning this book means banning the whole world. Violence is something that will continue to live on in this world, whether we decide to change it or not. Vandalism also played an important role in this book’s banning, for vandalism is what set the whole plot’s events in motion (Cormier 1). The trashers, Harry Flowers, Marty Sanders, Randy Pierce, and Buddy Walker destroyed the Jerome’s house and all its belongings. All the boys are juveniles who run around to have what they call, “fun time. ” Their next plans for “fun time” happened to be set on the Jerome’s house.

They destroyed China plates, smashed furniture, and even urinated on the walls. Vomit puddles appeared throughout due to their heavy drinking. Nothing was left untouched for the Jeromes to come home to, nothing but misery and paranoia. The trashers left without a second thought, all but Buddy Walker. Even then though, the Avenger saw it all, and began his observations on his new targets. Vandalism may be considered “art” to some people, but I still believe it’s wrong. That is damage to someone’s property and they shouldn’t have to clean up what wasn’t theirs.

Graffiti art and all of it alike are the faces of rundown buildings, and give the impression that that area is not safe. Another reason for this book’s banning was for its occurring sexual content. Attempted rape occurred in the first pages (Sova 1; Censorship History of We All Fall Down). Harry, Marty, and Randy all participated in attempting to rape Karen Jerome, who came home all too early. The boys took turns, all but Buddy, and repeatedly grabbed at her clothes to reveal the skin underneath. Karen eventually broke free but at a terrible price. She took a tumble down her cellar stairs and fell into a coma.

The trashers left and Karen lay in a heap on the cold cellar floor. Other explicit content was the heart-warming romance between Jane Jerome and Buddy Walker . As their relationship became more intimate, their sexual lust grew. Certain parts of the body were caressed and were furthermore deemed inappropriate for even freshmen (Cormier 139). Making out scenes occur throughout the book and the Avenger even peeps as Jane gets undressed. The sexual content is probably what gave this book more flair to its dark plot. Though it gave the book some flair, it gives nothing when it comes to reality.

I, for one, can’t stand rape or any type of abusive sexual interaction between male and female. People become traumatized and feel no trust in others anymore. Rape, like violence and vandalism, occurs everywhere and it most impossible to stop against the sick minded who impose it. Lastly, this We All Fall Down was banned for alcohol references and profanity. The characters use foul language and would curse at each other or even secretly to themselves. Profanity was most likely used to express what the characters felt at the time (Marshall Universities Libraries 1).

It was used mostly by the teenagers in their conversations with other characters to show just how they felt about the situation at hand. Profanity was highly associated with the drinking that occurred. Not only was alcohol used as a type of anti-depressant, but it was done by under-age drinkers (Cormier; throughout book). Buddy Walker, one of the main characters, is a sixteen year old and started to drink heavily after the divorce of his parents. Buddy began to hand out with Harry and his goons and drank to have fun and forget all his worries. He bought his liquor illegally and continued to drink even when in his relationship with Jane.

Even when he was happiest when with Jane, Buddy abused alcohol which became his own brand of heroine. Like Buddy, most people do use alcohol as a way to escape and instead they should be using a proper drug prescribed by doctors. I believe that though alcohol may seem like medicine, it is far from it. It weakens slowly in the insides and confuses the brain to think it’s better than any pharmacy drugs. It’s a hypnotizer and it performs its work best in all ages, even young teenagers like Buddy. Even though We All Fall Down was banned, it has many points which make it worthwhile to read.

It has such a suspenseful plot that leaves you wanting more (Sova 1; We All Fall Down). The story begins in such a matter-of-fact tone, detailing the horrors that initially set the events in motion (Sova 1; We All Fall Down). It begins with the trashing of the Jerome’s house, Karen Jerome falling into a coma, and a mysterious person called the Avenger. This leaves the reader questioning what exactly is happening, like, “Who are these people, and who’s this mysterious Avenger guy? ” As the story progresses, the reader is then able to fill in the blanks about the plot and the characters.

It is later learned that the Avenger is actually Mickey Looney, the friendly neighborhood man (Cormier, 173). Robert Cormier, the author, led the readers to believe the Avenger was some unknown criminal, roaming the streets for justice, when in reality he’s just a normal guy looking for justice. The plot contained so many twists and turns that the book could’ve been its own rollercoaster. Suspense isn’t something I typically enjoy, especially in movies, but it served well in We All Fall Down. It literally left me on the edge of my seat and wanting to read more.

The suspense ties in so well with the storyline that I couldn’t imagine what it would be without it. To promote the suspenseful plot, are the advanced vocabulary and the good morals and values it teaches (Cormier; throughout book). Cormier’s extensive use of vocabulary creates a unique writing style for young adults; helps to promote their reading levels. His use of complex words teaches readers and enhances the story. Cormier also teaches good morals and values in this tragic story. He displays the importance of communication and how it should be used to express oneself and help lift burdens.

It teaches the consequences of lying and brutal actions that affect not only oneself but others as well. The importance of truth is a main theme of this book (Cormier 191). Cormier teaches truth is a virtue that should be cherished. Truth can affect relationships, and even the past, present, and future. Buddy kept the fact that he trashed Jane’s house and his alcohol problem from others close to him, and this in turn led to even more misery. Truth played an important role in the plot and it states just how important it is in the end. The vocabulary really helped me in learning what Cormier was saying while the story progressed.

He targets young readers and places challenging vocabulary to give them a read that’s at their level. This was what I really enjoyed about the book because it made it sound sophisticated. We All Fall Down doesn’t just have a suspenseful plot and advanced vocabulary. It explores the responsibilities of peoples towards others as well as the motivation of teenagers to commit brutal acts. When Buddy’s parents divorced (Cormier 46), he goes out with Harry Flowers and his crew to commit wrongdoings and erase his stress. He communicated little with is mom and sister and wanted little to do with his father, though he secretly wished he’d come back.

His father still felt responsibility for both his children and still sent a monthly check of twenty-five dollars. Buddy seldom communicated with his family because of the divorce, and all his sadness eventually led him to do heinous crimes to brush his worries away. The Avenger has his fair share in responsibilities. He took up the job of being a hero to the people by committing vengeful acts (Cormier 20, 74). With Vaughn Masterson, he murdered him to stop the other children’s suffering. He murdered his grandfather to prevent from being caught so he’d be able to carry out justice. Truth to be told, it wasn’t exactly justice.

It was what his name implied: revenge. Still, the Avenger continued on to help the people who have had wrongdoings thrust upon them. Despite being eleven years old, he’d avenge anyone, no matter the consequences. Responsibility is such an important trait to have and it really says a lot about a person. It went well with this book since the characters found faults in one another but still managed to see it through and help others to overcome their problems. Responsibility was demonstrated on the trashers and their actions on society. They showed little respect, but little do people know what they hide behind their mask of tricks and schemes.

There are numerous reasons for why this book shouldn’t be banned. First of all, it displays the struggles and family ties of the characters as they learn to cope with them. Buddy struggles with his alcoholism from beginning to end, stopping it only briefly for Jane’s sake. Jane deals with her paranoia, fearing the trashers will come back to destroy their house once more or even hurt another of her loved ones. Artie, Jane’s little brother, and his frequent nighttime terrors about the trashers’ intrusion; woke up in the middle of the night screaming (Cormier; throughout book, 53).

As the story develops, Buddy’s relationship with his sister, Addy develops as well (Cormier 81). Addy was just a stuck up, smart aleck to Buddy, but as they both grow through the pain of their parent’s divorce, they form a strong bond. The relationships that show between the trashers’ families and Jane’s differ and demonstrate the importance of close knit ties. After Karen fell into a coma, Jane and her family visited Karen every day at the hospital to see her current condition (Cormier 4). They also talked to her about their lives and how they were doing, in hopes that she’d awaken from the dark abyss she was in.

Harry Flowers, after being caught as the leader, was bailed out by his father who paid for all the damage done without asking Harry questions. Harry achieved high marks in school and told Buddy later that’s why his father trusts him. Buddy’s connections with his family are not close (Cormier 48, 66). Buddy constantly fights with his sister; he barely acknowledges his mother, and he neglects his father, but wishes still that he’d come back to their family. His family life caused him more struggles and is what ultimately led to his drinking. Communication, as well as responsibility, is very important.

It showed how words can help one to cope and find help in someone else. Words can help, or hurt. I think frequent conversations with someone else can help someone to not feel lonely, and this was demonstrated well in the book. We All Fall Down takes a turn from its tragic story to a heartfelt romance (Cormier 125). Buddy falls instantly and irrevocably in love with Jane after encountering her at the mall. Jane later fell in love with him twenty minutes afterwards, but she didn’t know it was love until later. This budding romance serves as a relief from the book’s dark plot.

Jane later discovers Buddy’s drinking problem when a bottle of liquor fell out of his pocket (Cormier 147). Jane is deeply worried for Buddy’s welfare and argues with him about his well-being. Buddy comes to terms with Jane and she helps him to cope with his parent’s divorce. Jane becomes Buddy’s shoulder to lean on, and this strengthens their relationship. Their romance lifts the tension off the story, in hopes of eradicating the danger to come. Romance captures the hearts of most people, especially girls. For me, I enjoy romance and found the romance between Jane and Buddy and warm touch to the story.

It already talks about murder and alcohol, so for it to turn for a little romance helps the book to seem less violent. Babies fall taking their first steps. Soldiers fall on the battlefield. We all fall from mistakes. We All Fall Down proves that lies and heinous acts can ruin. This book was indeed banned for its violence and vandalism, sexual content, and themes of alcohol references and profanity. The book carried a suspenseful plot, advanced vocabulary, and the responsibilities of people towards others and the motives of teenagers’ brutal acts that make it a worthwhile read.

It shouldn’t be banned though, because it displays struggles that characters fight through, the importance of family bonds, and romance to pull away from the unpredictable plot. All the reasons this book is banned are all things that are seen in the media and in the public today. Most teenagers and even younger children have already been exposed to these things. We All Fall Down is just another book that matures readers and helps them better understand the cruelties of the world. In the end, it wasn’t a plague, but in fact the lies, untold truths, and secrets that conquered each character one at a time.

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