The Drowning of Stephan Jones by Bette Greene is number 94 on the 100 most frequently challenged books list. (The 100 Most Frequently Challenged Books) Documentation to explain this “honor” is difficult to locate. The only reference I found stated that the Library Patrons of Montgomery County, Texas, made an objection to the book because of its supposed “gay-positive theme.” (Montgomery County Receives 16 Book Challenges) Another website suggested that the book was challenged due to its discussion of homosexuality and because it contains cruelty. (Multiversion Concurrency Control) Although the reasons why The Drowning of Stephan Jones was challenged are not explained in much detail, several websites listed the top reasons why books are banned or challenged. One website (Piesyk) mentioned that the use of offensive language, sexually explicit material, themes promoting homosexuality and/or promoting a religious viewpoint, and material not suitable for a certain age group are among the most common reasons. All of these reasons are found in The Drowning of Stephan Jones.
The main characters in this book are Carla Wayland, Andy Harris, Frank Montgomery, and Stephan Jones. Carla Wayland is a young high-school student who is in love with Andy Harris. Andy Harris is the typical handsome, rich boy who all the girls adore. The Harrises are the “perfect” Christian family in their hometown of Rachetville, Arkansas. Andy and his family are Christian soldiers who want to eliminate homosexuals because their pastor preaches this duty. Most of the Rachetville citizens behave the same way. Carla loves Andy’s attention because she feels different from other people in town and wants to be popular. Stephan Jones and Frank Montgomery are a gay couple who recently opened an antique store in a neighboring town. Stephan is a true Christian and had studied to become a priest earlier in his life. He is a gentle, loving person while Frank is more assertive and athletic. When Andy Harris and his friends learn that Stephan and Frank live nearby, they begin persecuting and harassing them in the name of Christianity. Their behavior leads to their murdering Stephan. As Carla witnesses Andy’s cruel behavior she sees the ugly truth about Andy. In the end, Carla stands up for what is right, even though it costs her popularity.
Some readers may be offended by the cruelty in this book. Cruelty was one reason why this book was challenged. Most of the cruelty in the book is directed against Stephan and is more offensive because of Stephan’s kind and gentle nature. Stephan suffers first degree burns when Andy and his friends shove a hot pizza in Stephan’s face. Andy and his friends punch Stephan and insult his homosexuality and his faith in Jesus Christ. Andy and his friends harass Stephan even though Stephan is completely innocent. Even though these events in the book are offensive, I don’t believe that this book contains so much violence that it should be banned.
Offensive language is abundant in this book. Most of the offensive words are directed at Stephan and Frank. They are called, “sodomites,” “queers,” “faggots,” “perverts,” bastards,” and “bitches.” In the story, the characters usually ignore the insults as if they have heard them all before. Carla is called a “bitch,” but because she is so afraid of being rejected, the most effective insults are those that crush her ego. As the story ends, Andy tells Carla, “Hey Carla Wayland, I heard you and your mother are moving to New Hampshire. Just don’t think you’ll be any more popular there than you are here. Everyone will find out about you and how you’re a rat fink!” In my opinion, the language in the book is not offensive enough to challenge or ban the book. The language is no worse than what is heard in a typical high school.
Another reason this book might be challenged is sexually explicit content. However, I believe that there is not enough of this content to challenge the book. Sexually explicit material is limited to the part in the story where Andy and his friends strip off Stephan’s clothes and examine his genital area. This description takes up only about five sentences in the entire story.
The main reason that could be used to challenge The Drowning of Stephan Jones is that some readers may think that the book promotes homosexuality while criticizing Christianity. The citizens of Rachetville believe that they are soldiers of Christ fighting against sin. They mistakenly believe that Stephan and Frank’s “sin” is greater than others. Andy cites scripture to justify his harassment and physical abuse of Stephan and Frank. He says, “If a man lies with a man as one lies with a woman, both of them have done what is detestable. They must be put to death; their blood will be on their own heads.” (New International Version, Lev. 20.13) However, Andy seems to forget other Bible verses that say “Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against one of your people, but love your neighbor as yourself…” (Lev. 19.18) Andy and most of the citizens of Rachetville ignore one of the Ten Commandments that says “You shall not murder.” (Deut. 5.17) Rather than promoting homosexuality, The Drowning of Stephan Jones portrays gay people as human with the same strengths and weaknesses that all humans have. The book does not criticize Christianity, but shows how paying attention to small sections of the Bible, while ignoring the rest, can lead people away from the main goals of a Christian life.
The last reason to challenge The Drowning of Stephan Jones is that the book’s content might not be suitable for a certain age group. The book is targeted to young adults. The age range for young adult literature is 10 to 25 years old. (The Value of Young Adult Literature) I believe that the book is suitable for readers of high school age or older, but that younger people should not read this book. Because the main characters in this book are high school students, readers at that age can relate to the social situations that are found in this book.
Overall, I believe that The Drowning of Stephan Jones is a phenomenal book and that it should be neither banned nor challenged for readers of high school age or older. Bette Greene provides a balanced and accurate view of the battle for gay rights in the United States in the late 1990’s. The Acknowledgements for the book show that she consulted Christian leaders and gay rights activists while writing the book. By putting her information into a fictional story that appeals to young adult readers, she is educating them about the main arguments that were made at this point in history. Presenting these ideas in this format is an excellent way to bring people into the ongoing debate over this social issue.
-Emma Hoyer
Works Cited
<http://www.ala.org/ala/mgrps/divs/yalsa/profdev/whiepapers/yalit.cfm>
The NIV Young Discoverers Bible, New International Version. Michigan: Zonderkidz, 1973.
“The Stories Behind Some of This Year’s Book Bans and Challenges.” American Bokksellers Foundation for Free Expression. 27 Sept. 2008 4 Oct. 2008. <http://www.abffe.org/bbw-booklist-detailed.htm>.
Multiversion Concurrency Control <http://www.mvcc.edu/academics/library/challenged_childrenbks.pdf>.
Piesyk, Christine Anne. “Banned Books: Have you read one?” Clarksville Online. 30 Sept. 2007 <http://www.clarksvilleonline.com/2007/09/30/banned-books-have-you-read-one/>.
“Montgomery County Recieves 16 Book Challenges.” American Library Association. 30 July 2004 <http://www.kidspeakonline.org/montgomery.htm>
“The 100 Most Frequently Challenged Books of 1990-2000.” American Library Association. 16 Feb. 2007. <http://www.ala.org/ala/aboutala/offices/oif/bannedbooksweek/bbwlinks/100mostfrequently.cfm>
