Actually, I think this story is now required reading in most Catholic boys' schools, given the epidemic rates of creative masturbation among repressed gay youths. Growing hair on your palms and making the baby Jesus cry doesn't scare you? Here, read this. #education
Ok, well, I'll preface this by indicating that I'm old, and not nearly progressive enough to handle such things. That being said, why not just mention the story in class offhandedly? Some brownnoser would have looked it up, read it, brought it to school, shared it in the cafeteria (all giggly and finding his moment of cool) and then ostensibly someone would bring it up in class. The teacher could have the discussion about it, answer questions in that "cool teacher with a corduroy blazer with suede arm patches and a ponytail" (lame!) way. Everybody wins. Kids read. Teacher guides and answers questions about meaning, symbolism, applying a carrot for non-intended use, and generally grossing out at least 50% of the class and making uncomfortable teenagers even more horrified, because literature should require therapy, which I guess is the point here?
@Spirit Fingers: One counterpoint to this fauxtrovery I can think of is that Arthur Rimbaud embedded much more explicit homosexual imagery than Palahniuk ever did, in immortal poems which he composed between the ages of 12 through 17. And his stuff is now considered literature with a capital "L." Isn't that enough of an argument to defeat this "teens are blessed innocent lambies that should be sheltered from the disgusting, humorous, poignant manifestations of human sexuality" stance? America, home of the prude.. Carry on, please.
@snugbug: Not trying to be a prude per se. Just stating that books about burgeoning sexuality are fine, whether straight or gay. But books about eating entrails and the like sound more worrisome than the usual literature. As a former teacher, I know that there is a line between educating, and putting forth some daring part of your own agenda. And this teacher seems to be doing the latter. Okay in college. Not so much in high school. What if some disturbed child decides to give some of these actions a try with harmful results? Who's the responsible party then?
If you're going to do it, get approval from the school. Make sure your students are mature enough to handle the material, and be prepared to defend its importance in your classroom, more than just the "students can learn from it" line. 'Tis all I'm saying.
I was a HS English teacher for many years, and trust me, teh keeds are already into Palahniuk. I allowed them to read him for a self-selected novel project. HOWEVER, I would NEVER be dumb enough to use him in the classroom. That is just a lawsuit or uncomfortable meeting waiting to happen. There are PLENTY of edgy, interesting works of literature without using "Guts," which traumatized me when I read it. #education
@quickqueenof: Yup. Anyone who has read the story 'Guts' knows exactly why that was probably a step a two over the line.
Not that they are particularly good examples of literature, but I don't think Fight Club or Survivor or the like would cause an uproar. 'Guts' actually IS very well written, but it made me ill reading it the first time, well out of high school. #education
"The story -- written for Playboy magazine -- discusses a teenage boy's use of a carrot in a sex act on himself and autoerotic asphyxiation."
Uh... I think the part where the boy has to chew off his intestine after getting it sucked out of his anus by a pool filter is much more disturbing than those two acts. Priorities here, people. I didn't even remember those things happened, because all I can think about is the description of that veiny "snake" covered in shit and food. #education
I'm eighteen and I'm not sure I ever want to masturbate again after reading that story. It's easily the most horrifying thing I've read. It's even scarier than the time I dreamed George W. Bush won the presidency and the twin towers fell. (I haven't got a clue as to where that came from.) #education
Guts is a pretty stomach turning story, but if it was a senior or junior class, they were probably reading that stuff on their own anyway. Call me when a class of fifth graders has to read it. #education
I'm all for cool English teachers, but the news report states that he handed out printed copies of the story to be read in class, and collected them at the end -- why? To keep it a secret?
While handing out smutty stories by a lousy hack writer on the QT might make Van Voorhis popular with the kids, it's poor judgement on his part. And I'm not sure I understand the story's academic value, unless the story's special topic will be covered on the SATs . . . #education
@The_Lovely_Miss_Bronx: It was probably more of a resources thing (he could only afford to make 30ish copies instead of 200) than a Vast Conspiracy to Freak Out the Parents With Secret Smut in Class issue.
And I assume the story selection was the aughts version of a former Marine doing karate demonstrations and then rapping Keats. Got to open those hearts and minds to book-learnin' somehow. #education
@contains_hot_liquid: Thanks -- the copyright thing makes more sense than the "secret story" thing. But still -- if Van Voorhis could pick any story in the universe, it boggles my mind that he settled for THAT one. Or maybe I just don't recognize the genius of Palahniuk?
@contains_hot_liquid: So what's next for the new breed of hip teachers: book reports on Penthouse Forum?
I have no problem exposing teens to literature that will engage and challenge them, and I am not a prude. I just question this guy's choice of material, because I don't think Palahniuk has any claim to literary merit. The story's shock value doesn't make it a significant work -- in my opinion. I'm sure others will disagree. #education
@The_Lovely_Miss_Bronx: Literary merit doesn't exist. It's writing. Most kids have no experience being moved by the act of reading, so if this story sickens the kids or the parents, or you, good. At least the power of the written word has been demonstrated.
From there, let the conversation begin... that is the purpose of the classroom. #education
Darn those English teachers and their filthy books. Never mind that these innocent children know every word to the last album by The Eminems. #education
We read a Palahniuk novel in AP Senior English. One of the Christians complained to the teacher about a sex scene and the teacher effectively told the Christian to fuck off and grow up.
My 10th grade English teacher lent me a copy of Palahniuk's Invisible Monsters once.
I didn't really learn anything from it, except what "felching" is. Although I guess that's better than how other people learn what "felching" is. #education
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Also, that story sounds disgusting. #education
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If you're going to do it, get approval from the school. Make sure your students are mature enough to handle the material, and be prepared to defend its importance in your classroom, more than just the "students can learn from it" line. 'Tis all I'm saying.
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Not that they are particularly good examples of literature, but I don't think Fight Club or Survivor or the like would cause an uproar. 'Guts' actually IS very well written, but it made me ill reading it the first time, well out of high school. #education
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Uh... I think the part where the boy has to chew off his intestine after getting it sucked out of his anus by a pool filter is much more disturbing than those two acts. Priorities here, people. I didn't even remember those things happened, because all I can think about is the description of that veiny "snake" covered in shit and food. #education
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While handing out smutty stories by a lousy hack writer on the QT might make Van Voorhis popular with the kids, it's poor judgement on his part. And I'm not sure I understand the story's academic value, unless the story's special topic will be covered on the SATs . . . #education
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And I assume the story selection was the aughts version of a former Marine doing karate demonstrations and then rapping Keats. Got to open those hearts and minds to book-learnin' somehow. #education
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I have no problem exposing teens to literature that will engage and challenge them, and I am not a prude. I just question this guy's choice of material, because I don't think Palahniuk has any claim to literary merit. The story's shock value doesn't make it a significant work -- in my opinion. I'm sure others will disagree. #education
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From there, let the conversation begin... that is the purpose of the classroom. #education
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I loved that class. #education
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I didn't really learn anything from it, except what "felching" is. Although I guess that's better than how other people learn what "felching" is. #education
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