Critical Analysis 1

                In “Has young adult fiction become too dark?” by Mary Elizabeth Williams, Williams wants readers to know that the article “Darkness Too Visible” by Meghan Cox Gurdon was a unsupported article, that YA books are good for teens, and therefore should not be filtered.  One example she gives is how Gurdon does not acknowledge teens view of YA books, and, as a result, Gurdon does not give readers a full view of how YA books are seen.  Also, Williams examines and picks apart Gurdon’s argument.  For example, she says how readers have yet of the horrible things that characters in some YA fiction books do, unlike Gurdon, who says that readers are influenced by these characters.  Finally, she quotes teens to show how much they love YA fiction.  All of these examples show how Gurdon’s argument is flimsy and how YA books shouldn’t be banned.

                Williams want readers to think that Gurdon’s argument was stupid, and wants readers to feel proud of teens, who read and deal with the darkness that is apparently in YA fiction every day.  One way Williams does this is by using language that makes Gurdon’s argument seem petty.  For example, in the article, when Williams is talking about the “darkness” in YA books, she says, “Is there really a problem here, besides, perhaps, the offence to Gurdon’s sensibilities?”  This makes the readers think that Gurdon is just this sensitive little lady, who just wants to argue about something.  Williams also shows examples of how teens feel about YA fiction.  For example, Williams quotes a teen blogger who, when responding to Gurdon about her article, and talking about YA books says that, “ ‘ Good literature rips open all the private parts of us-the parts people like you have deemed too dark, inappropriate, grotesque or abnormal for teens to be feeling…”  This quote makes readers feel proud of this teen for standing up and defending YA literature.  It also makes readers feel proud of all teens because they deal, feel, and read all of this dark stuff.

                After reading Williams article, I agree with her that YA books should not be censored, and that Gurdon’s argument made no sense.   Williams picks apart Gurdon’s argument, showing me its flaws.  This showed me that Gurdon’s argument had no support, and that it didn’t make sense.  Also, Williams quotes teens, which is something that Gurdon does not do, and uses this to show us how YA books are loved by those who read them.  This fully convinced me that YA books should not be limited or banned in any way.