I hope you have the bestest time, and this was a really wonderful episode. And thanks for being brave for publishing your opinions, I can imagine you were worried about becoming like the author of potter... not that you are, but politics and controversy.. in any case, thanks cutie pie for your great vids.
Wish I could go with y'all. Unfortunately I'll be going to classes during that time, so keep us updated if there will be a trip to another fantastical destination in the summer of 2025! Also, it does my heart good to hear a modern content creator like yourself call out attempts to censor innocuous language in classic literature. Honestly it surprises me that given Dahl's views on the matter he didn't leave instructions to whoever was managing the rights to his stories that publishers who attempted to do something like this should have their rights to the stories revoked.
@JonSolo best episode ever! Cancel culture is taking over. People have become so ridiculous. I’m of firm belief that art in any form should not be censored. Are we gonna reright history books so the word nazi isn’t in it. That word can be real triggering. So since we can talk about nazi we have to rewrite history and basically erase world war 2.
Please make a video all about the origins of Luigi’s Kitsune Power-Up from the Super Mario franchise since you’ve done an awesome job explaining the origins of Mario’s Tanuki Power-Up please
I grew up with all of his books and loved each and every one of them. I never took anything in any of his books to be mean, offensive, or "triggering". I was a heavy child, but the only things that these books did was to make it known that even as a child, as long as you are kind, humble, and generous, you too can make a difference in this world. And as a 39 year old man now, I still fully believe it as i have read all of these original books to my children as writen and intended.
I dunno, Mr. Twit almost sounded like a Jewish stereotype. I mean, he goes on for paragraphs about dirty beards. but maybe I'm reading too much into it.
Well I'm sick of companies censoring old book for absolutely no fucking reason if rol was still around and found out that they are doing to his books he would be flipping in his grave I'm just sick of it and I know you are too I'm waiting for mother nature to flush it all away all this crap that is going on today is nothing but a BS three ring circus sideshow because I'm tired of it completely and basically they're doing that to add they're idiotic politics that I can't stand we don't need any of it we need to be free from all that including leaders we don't need them either
They also seem to forget that the other aunt being Ramrod thin is considered JUST as unpleasant of a trait. It’s not about ugliness, it’s used as a thematic symptom (not CAUSE) of their personality: Sponge is selfish and gluttonous, while Spike is greedy and miserly. To rephrase, they’re not evil because they’re “ugly”. Instead, their evil intentions is ultimately self destructive, taking a toll on their bodies as well as the people around them. For one of them, that means gorging themselves, and for the other, that means starving themselves, and neither do it out of a place of love. If they were shaped as such but with loving hearts, Dahl might consider them “odd looking”, as people come in all shapes and sizes, but never UGLY
@@spindash64in “The Twits” Dahl specifies a belief that your inner beauty is what is reflected in your outward appearance. The Aunts are not evil because they’re ugly, they’re ugly because they’re evil. Being evil has made them ugly.
Giving kids a safe, fictional space to explore things like abuse and sadness and danger is SOOO important! Roald Dahl was and is a huge part of children learning to hold onto their kindness and compassion in life.
Well there's always been a certain demographic within a certain demographic whose sheltering comes before the healing of other children including the less fortunate within their demographic 😐😐
I lost much of my childhood in his books and movies. Now it's all ipads and xboxes I really hope kids still get to enjoy these amazing stories. James marvellous medicine was 1 of of my favourites and matilda
When it comes to Roald describing features that are often associated with being 'ugly', I like to reference a few lines from his book 'The Twits'. He claims that, even if you are born pretty, if you only think mean and ugly thoughts your face will start to twist to reflect that and make you look ugly. But if you think kind and gentle thoughts, even if you have a wart, crooked teeth, and two chins, that kindness will shine from your face and you'll always look lovely!
EXACTLY! These editors are taking this on such a surface level and compeltely ignoring the context not to mention that these people’s looks are just a personification how how they act and who they are on the inside. Dahl was never criticizing physical features of people, he was criticizing BAD BEHAVIOR. The fact that these editors can’t seem to notice that makes them more childish than the people they claim to be protecting
@@MelB868 considering I'm now old enough to be a grandma myself, this was many many years before anyone ever heard of *the* Forrest Gump. And even if none of that were the case, it wouldn't change the sentiment one bit.
I had two aunts who looked very similar to the aunts in the movie. However mine were awesome. The taller skinny one always wanted to take us shopping and to the toy store and McDonalds. The short round one was a kindergarten teacher for 40 years who always had awesome games to play, tons of imagination, and the best puns anyone could think of.
I would ALWAYS choose to read an author’s original version. I’m soooo sick of censorship and this idea that we should be protecting our children way too much about some things, yet utterly not about others. Love your content, Jon. Keep it coming!!!
Richard Adams and Roald dahl, are authors who shouldn’t be censored. But gore and pron should. And you also have to be careful what you are reading, because I’ve seen banned book list by actual ‘news’ companies that are totally made up to make people mad.
I'm half Mexican and when you talked about the grasshopper saying he would rather be fried and eaten by a Mexican was hilarious to me 😂. Anyone getting offended by that line would likely not survive in a conversation with a group of Mexicans from Mexico because they would get their feelings hurt.
The extra irony of the "fat Aunt Sponge" situation is that the other aunt is thin. So we have a fat one AND a thin one and they're BOTH terrible. It has nothing to do, inherently, with her being fat or thin, it has to do with who she is. Plus we even know she was super vain and saw herself as beautiful, from the whole "little toes" bit (which, weird, but okay). It's like Augustus Gloop; it isn't his being fat that is the issue, the other children weren't and were just as terrible.
And the point of it, as far as I can tell, is not that their appearance means they’re evil, but that their evilness is self destructive: they are so devoid of life and light that the only thing worth mentioning about them at first impression IS their physical appearance, because there is nothing to them beyond that skin depth to judge
@@spindash64 That as well! I do see in a lot of media where the only fat character is typecast as the bully, and I can see how that can create connotations of fat person = bad in kid's brains, but that's not the case in Roald Dahl's books that I've read.
I'd love to know what the sensitivity editors thought of Dahl's The Twits. There's a specific part of the book that says that if you're a nice person, you can be fat, warty etc and still look lovely, but if you're a nasty person then those things make you look ugly.
The revised books have indeed "had their soul sucked out of them". I'm 67, and when I finished reading JAMES AND THE GIANT PEACH at age 11 I actually hugged the book. It is a treasure of my childhood. God bless you, Jon, for this video, and God bless Roald Dahl!
The movie didn’t come out to 1996 I don’t think it was around when you were little I was still a kid and my brother and James from the movie they are the same age
"These unpaid interns majoring in gender studies are literally reading these books through the lens of how can this be taken the wrong way. Which may just be the most destructive lens that one can view life through". I really like this phrase and I 100% agree with what you said.
I was an abused (and oft starved) child - and Roald Dahl books were a HUGE help for me as a kid! Matilda could have been about ME - a little brown haired girl with parents who didn't care about her, who sought solace in books, and whose teachers were often the only adults who could make me feel safe when I was trapped in a horrible, abusive situation...it gave me hope, when Ms. Honey adopted Matilda, and let me daydream about having a savior who might whisk me away from all the pain, hunger, and hurt that the people who were supposed to love me put me in. James and the Giant Peach didn't hit me as hard, but was equally on point about an abused child finding friends in those that society also deems as outcasts, or weirdos - someone fearful. It's the outcasts who 'save' him, and give him a home...(and I had a greedy, fat, narcissistic stepmother who made it her life's mission to make my life hell - it's not fat people who are the problem, but it's a bit ironic that she was a lot like that greedy aunt! xD) Children need these books. I was a child who needed these stories to give me hope that I could make it out of this terrible world full of adults who only caused me harm...but that some adults could be kind, and help me navigate that darkness. Bless Roald Dahl for giving me that hope, when I needed it most. I might just be alive, today, because of his words.
I didn't feel any Ill will or malice in that line the grasshopper said at all and I'm Hispanic. Heck, my parents who grew up in Mexico even got a small chuckle out of it. And now that some people are pushing for the eating of bugs as a "sustainable alternative" it losses the argument for malice even more.
I think that got lost on the censorship people. They could've handled that by doing a poll with a group consisting of Mexicans and South Americans to see how they felt.
thank you for sharing your perspective! and the sustainability argument is a great point actually. To me, the editors finding offense in a genuine cultural practice is actually *more* offensive.
@@khher1979 that was done many times in similar situatuions. Not this particular one but with other quotes that would be potentially more offensive- spoiler alert: most of these minorities laughed and didn't think it could be meant in any offensive manner. Minorities don't want to be abused and that's all they care about. Why can't we simly just do the same?
You explained the censorship so eloquently as if you had a window into my brain. Thank you for standing up and spotlighting what is going on. I mainly work with preschoolers as a speech therapist and one of the things I work on is giving them the respect and choices to make up their minds even at a young developing age. When you remove that choice and water things down you essentially insult their perception and intellect.
Dahl was one of my favorite authors as a kid. He never showed away from showing kids in scary, sad situations that they would overcome. The world is a scary place and he made that scariness something I could change. Books that were too saccharine didn't match my experiences even as a 7 year old. I saw kids overcoming things far worse than I had ever encountered. That was comforting and he did it with humor. I reveled in those books. Dahl had more faith in kids. It's wrong to take that away.
Even growing up in awful situations, books like his provided memorable methods of escapism for sure 💯.. Holes had a special place in my heart because running away and eating preserved fruits and raw onions was preferable to reality, bonus was he came out the victor! Heck, the movie had NOTHING on the book, I like my version of the Woodpecker song much better, I still sing it to this day because the melancholy never went away.
It wouldn't be controversial if Westerners weren't so obsessed with the concept of childhood being some kind of fantasy that must be guaranteed. It just conditions us to a world that doesn't exist. I freaking despise the Boomer generation for treating us this way-like we were their stress teddy bears or something. We all had to spend our entire 20's trying to adapt to actual reality after being conditioned to their stupid idea of "childhood". It just sets us up for failure (usually manifesting as drug addiction for guys and sex addiction for girls among everyone I grew up with--- "protecting us" from _literally everything_ only to reverse course on a dime and send us into the world completely unprepared).
@@ChadDidNothingWrong It sounds like you in particular had that experience i don't know why your so blind to see if you had a childhood that coddled and parents that infantilized you then you were extremely lucky. Most of us do not get that and were exposed to the harsh truths and evils the world had to offer young, yet still struggle with drug/sex addiction despite having a polar opposite childhood experience. I think your making false equivalencies here based on anecdotal evidence.
My one issue is that Roald Dahl is viewed as a childhood hero and a great author, and in some ways that’s true, but he was racist and extremely anti-Semitic. His book Charlie and the chocolate factory is one of his books that details how he felt about slavery and the Oompa Loompas being “almost black”.. he was an extremely controversial figure and some people view him negatively for that
Back in 1980, a loving elementary school teacher read these to me while we sat around her on a rug. I couldn’t wait for story time. Dahl’s books have had a significant impact on my life. I read each of my favorites 10s of times. I tried to instill the same fascination for the world into my children. I hope I did it right.
Roald Dahl was a childhood inspiration to me, I reread his books over and over again because I found comfort and joy in the dark, grizzly themes. I had childhood trauma and I felt like his writing was wrapping me in its arms and saying ‘yes life is hard sometimes, and that’s ok’. The creativity of his writing has always inspired me and I want to write and illustrate children’s books that capture even a hint of that myself. Censorship of his books is crazy; they weren’t offensive to me as a child and they won’t be offensive to my children either.
It isn't okay that life is hard, as it's only hard because society, which is supposed to make life better, allows it to be hard. Humans are allowed to suffer, starve, be homeless, die from treatable maladies, lose everything if the government thinks they're owed something, all because survival and worth is based on money. We don't get to choose to exist, we shouldn't have to pay to exist. Even those with jobs aren't secure and can lose everything in a moment's notice. That should not be the case in a civilized society.
I remember as a kid Roald Dahl was supposed to come to our local library to do a reading of one of his books. Unfortunately he couldn't make it as he had become unwell. He passed later. Still can't get my head around the fact that I almost met my favourite childhood and adulthood author.
I have a theory that the old man is actually James himself. I think that after enduring years of abuse under his aunts he escaped but by this time he was short and decrepit. After his escape he started studying magic, and in order to erase as many of the years of torment as possible and air a better life for himself he went back in time to where he was still healthy but had spent enough time with the aunts to know he had to escape and gave himself the crocodile tongues. He never anticipated the insect friends and the peach ship, that was just luck.
I have lived as an abuse and trauma survivor for a long time and I have lived most of my life with anxiety and panic disorders and a rather crippling unfair and unrealistic view of the world and how much threat other people post to me on a daily basis. With one simple quote about idiocy John solo has just done something that everyone I know and God himself hasn't been able to do, get me to realize that sometimes people are just dumb and not malicious. On top of being informative and engaging your content is also inspiring thank you.
I hope God, Jesus, and His Holy Blessed Peaceful Spirit heals your soul (mind, spirit, and emotions) from the trauma and abuse. I don't know all your atruggles and life experiences (of course it's not my business), but God knows all. I am able to relate to anxiety hard-ships, and having endured abuse and the resulting traima. I still struggle to forgive my parents for what they took from me: my innocence, peace, and sanity. The truth is, though I still struggle mentally, emotionally, and spiritually, the Lord Jesus has helped me immensely in my life. He gave me the courage to stop being a binge drinker and to not spend time with ''toxic/poisonous 'friends'''. He gave me more self-control, self-love, and self-respect so that I don't cut my skin anymore. He helped me to get more in shape, and NOT under-eat, take diet pills, or exercise excessively- instead I'll take walks, sometimes do laps through a parking lot, and strength training to build muscle in my apartment (push-ups, sit-ups, arm band exercises, and squats). He helped me get into a habit of adding more protein to my diet (I hardly eat meat) with protein powder shakes. Jesus helped me to be less lustful, and respect my body, spirit emotions, and mind more. I used to use the sexual abuse as an excuse to be depraved and not respect myself and others, but now I have improved boundaries, and dress modestly in public. I was more materialistic, and Jesus helped me start living a 'minimalism' life-style. I used to eat many sweets and drink so much soda, but He/Jesus helped me cut back on sugar so much in my life. Years ago I overdosed on pills, and in the ER I was praying to God, and He saved me from death. Jesus is real and did rise from the dead. The/His Holy Spirit is real and alive. God is real and always was. My life isn't easy, and I suffer, but I no longer want to commit suicide, and I have hope in spite of my circumstances. God has shown me my spiritual ugliness/sin in a spiritual mirror, and helped me improve my spiritual image so much. Thank You, Jesus, for Your salvation with Your death-sacrifice on the cross. Thank You, God, for creating me, loving me, and giving Your Son Jesus willingly for my multitude of sins. Thank You, Holy Spirit for Your love and guidance. To you who were abused: I hope the best for you- salvation for you- and you went through so much with the abuse and trauma, and having the anxiety and panic attack struggles, and that is brave of you to speak up about what you were put through, and how its affected your mind. AA and counseling didn't help me improve as a person, yet the One Who helped me change over the years has always been Jesus.
Hey Victoria! Thank you so much for this comment. I can't imagine the abuse and trauma that you've endured, but I'm so happy that sharing a simple quote was able to give you some new perspective on it (the same quote has helped me pull through some hardships and family feuds over the last year). I don't want to sound like the previous commenter preaching a religion to you, but if you're interested in a school of philosophy that could bring about some inner peace I would recommend stoicism. To put it simply, it's the practice of taking ultimate responsibility for the feelings conjured up by our egos including anxiety, anger, resentment, jealousy, pride, etc. If you're interested you can find some great videos on Ryan Holiday's TH-cam channel that contain more great quotes like this and explanations for how to apply them to life. Thanks again for leaving this comment and taking the time to watch the video all the way to the end. Wishing you the best :)
Yes people are not paying attention to others and how their own behavior might affect someone- ALOT of the time. Unfiltered opinions run rampant on social media, where in person, we might filter what and how we say something depending on our audience. Hence the term some people describe themselves as having "no filter". So basically you have to accept that as a part of social media communications, I've had people in my own family get upset about a random musing I wrote, and even one time I reposted a funny music video parody, and a family member identified with it so much he thought I posted it as a slight against him. I was really confused and professed it was just universally funny to me. He was really mad at me. And for a long while before he brought it up. And it truly wasn't directed at him. I hope you still feel supported and learn to look at things in new way and maybe you can heal yourself. The practice of reiki has helped me get over some of my traumas (still working thru it) and I spend less energy thinking about what people mean on FB/Twitter. I would rather watch more messed up origins or go play my Nintendo switch! ❤
I’m Mexican American and the grasshopper line made me laugh out loud. I mean that literally,I was listening to you on Bluetooth and just freaked out my daughter who’s in the room with me practicing her violin.
Can we give the actresses who played Spiker and sponge credit please? Because the way they were portrayed was about as book accurate as you’re going to get
I would love to see more of Roald Dahl's stories on this channel. I have read a lot of his books in 5th grade (Mostly because my class and I had projects surrounding his works) and I loved every one of them. I am so angered and more disappointed that people would censor these stories for superficial and childish reasons.
I love the 1971 adaptation of one os Roald Dahl's books with Gene Wilder Willy Wonka and The Chocolate Factory and 1996 Matilda with Mara Wilson from Robin Williams' Mrs. Doubtfire.
Dahl is made my childhood absolutely incredible writer who understood kids better then most people these days. He wasnt affraid to put a dark twist in his books and ofcourse with a great lesson he'll be remembered. While those people that tried to change his work will be forgotten
My one issue is that Roald Dahl is viewed as a childhood hero and a great author, and in some ways that’s true, but he was racist and extremely anti-Semitic. His book Charlie and the chocolate factory is one of his books that details how he felt about slavery and the Oompa Loompas being “almost black”.. he was an extremely controversial figure and some people view him negatively for that
@@johnnyo.7668did- did you not see the end of the video? The oomph Loompas were supposed to be black African children. He wanted to send a message. Wonka WAS NOT A GOOD PERSON IN THE BOOKS. But kids wouldn't understand the underlying meaning and had to change it cuz adults felt uncomfortable about it.
@@johnnyo.7668Why make a comment about an aspect of Roald Dahl's writings, which Solo went over in this video? Oh wait, you didn't watch it, did you? 😂
@@johnnyo.7668 Yeah, the point about the oompah loompah was that Wonka was not a good guy, so I think you’ve misunderstood that part. The only statement I can find from him right now that was branded “antisemitic” is this; “I’m certainly anti-Israeli, and I’ve become antisemitic in as much as that you get a Jewish person in another country like England strongly supporting Zionism. I think they should see both sides.”, which sounds to me like he’s against Israel, not antisemitic, but there might be something else he said that I didn’t find, so be might be antisemitic if there’s something else he said. But your statement about the oompah loompas is definitely wrong.
Man seeing these pictures of the book really takes me back. It's amazing how much stuff you have in memory that you never think of and then gets unlocked when you see certain things like this
I adored Roald Dahl's books as a child. James and the Giant Peach was always a favorite of mine. When we sensor this books, we are sensoring history. Its a shame.
I'm happy that I read the original version of JAMES AND THE GIANT PEACH to my children. I was very upset about the changes they had made. I do enjoy the breakdown of each and every story you have done.
Personally, I think that if you read a kid a story, the moral is delivered subconsciously and kept with them. But if you just outright tell them the moral they are supposed to learn, they'll probably forget it by the next day. Learning is best when natural and unprompted. Don't force viewpoints and interpretations, let children think for themselves and develop their own mindset.
@JonSolo, things you are touching on with the censorship aspect reminds me of the book "Harrison Bergeron" by Kurt Vonnegut, in which the Constitution is amended to make all American equal and that any "attribute" that gives one a leg up on their fellow citizens must wear a "Handicap" to level them out. Weights for stronger people, masks for beautiful people, etc.
EDIT: I'm Swedish and don't have English as a first language. We didn't have these books in school. Don't be a jerk. Wow, Charlie Chocolate, Matilda and James Peach all have the same author? 😮😮 That's wild!!
He also wrote a short story about a very nice old lady who runs a bed and breakfast (while, it's implied, occasionally murdering and taxidermying young men who come to her place).
I work in the bookselling business and I was pissed off when I heard about what Puffin wanted to do to the books. I don't believe in censoring an author's work. If you're reading a book to a child of you child is reading a book, you, as a parent can step in if there's something the child doesn't understand or makes them question. It's part of being a parent. In my opinion, most parents don't want to do this and just blame the books themselves or the authors. I read tons of Dahl's books as a child and my child has read them too. It's never harmed either of us. In fact, Matilda inspired a lifelong love of reading in me when my father first read it to me.
Back in school we read the book first than watched the movie when it came out. I don't like the censorship in books. Like you said it takes away the impact the author was trying to do. People need to stop thinking everything is gonna hurt them cuz the real world won't care. Thank you for your insight on everything going on
I remember reading this book in my fifth grade class. I thought it was great! After seeing a bit of the movie version, I still liked the book better because the aunts actually die versus them surviving in the movie.
The taller aunt always scared the living crap out of me, but really made me appreciate my (crazy) but loving family and my kickass amazing aunties that helped raise me ♡
39:33 I love what you said about the editing. As an elementary school teacher I appreciate the original text and exposing kids to the way it was originally written. If it starts conversation about the use of words that just adds to the reflection on writing and how it changes and gets reinterpreted. And whether or not it should be.
I grew up with Dahl's books and I adored them! The Cloud-Men were one of my favourite encounters, and I hate the fact that these "sensitivity writers" did this to his masterpieces. All they're doing is, as you said, "sucking the soul" out of his writings; his books never offended me as a kid (or my mum who read Dahl's books to me every night), or even now! At least the original books are selling better than Puffins adaptation, and I'm so glad about that! Great coverage on one of the most beloved writers of our time! ❤
I didn’t I grew up with the Pokey Little puppy and other little golden books. Okay looked up the date way before I was born but I still had the book when I was little but I don’t remember the books of James and the giant peach
Nothing from this book or the movie scared me as a child, but I do have one memory related to it that utterly scared me. So back when I was in elementary school, we had just read the book and went to see a play based on it. We were sitting in the front row, and we got to the part where the aunts are showing off the giant peach. All of a sudden, the actress playing Aunt Sponge comes right up to me and, in character of course, starts giving the whole "come see the blah blah blah" speech while staring me down like she wanted to kill me. And she was a dead ringer for the character too, with a mole and everything. I don't know how I didn't crap my pants.
I remember as a tiny elementary student in the 90's hearing the social changes on our occupation names: fireman to firefighter, policeman to police officer, etc. I thought it was so stupid because I knew the term 'man' also meant 'humans' or 'mankind'. I was, what, 6 years old complaining about these changes to our language... not much has changed for me since then... I still complain about asinine changes in our language. Thank you for highlighting this censorship in your video!
Ngl this movie scared me as a kid, as an adult I still am honestly, the animation mainly, but the story and the meaning behind it is actually pretty nice and the spiders story is quite sad. Everybody just needs to show kindness.
I love that you gave us several examples of the censorship, and made your opinion clear. I agree; those are silly things to censor. Thank you for the amazing rundown of this story and some history behind it!
Roald Dahl was my childhood. Cutting out some of his words would definitely not have same impact as they did for me. Obviously he isn’t perfect, but the overall message is good and meant to empower children who feel powerless in their situations.
I’ve read the original book, and I remember it just because it was the only book I fully read through from the 3rd to 5th grade. I could only really remember how book’s pictures looked. I also gotta mention that this is the first time I’ve ever heard someone pronounce Roald’s name like that.
It is appaling that Dahl's words were edited. I want to buy the original version. Thanks for revealing this to me. I loved Dahl's books as a kid & love teaching them today. Thanks for the deep dive.
I completely agree with you on censorship. As someone who loves and studies history, I fear the day that even history is censored or even changed to fit an agenda. Unfortunately we saw this with that Cleopatra show where she was portrayed as Black, even though that is historically inaccurate.
First Dr. Seuss gets censored and now Roald Dahl. Yes, both of these of writers have books that could use a bit of "tuning up" to be read by modern audiences but omitting whole parts of their books or just stop publishing some books altogether, is going way too far. 🤦🏽♀🤕
I agree it sad and annoying what they are doing 😔 if you don’t like the book then don’t read it! Like Srs those dummies are just jelious that he created something amazing or they are such babies that they can’t handle his beautiful work. That be like if someone went and changed Leonardo da Vinci painting the last supper for some dumb reason or his master piece Mona Lisa.
Agreed I'm kinda saddened by it, the oompa loompas are one thing but protecting the fatties Kind of in called for Like what's wrong with using the word fat?
If I’m allowed to ask… What did they do to Dr. Seuss’ books?? Like what was the argument there? Just coz like Dahl, these stories are so outlandish that I can’t exactly see the problem. Like sure they’re authors weren’t the best of people, but to assume they were trying to indoctrinate children with their books is taking it a few damn PACES to far
@@yallehemee460"they" did nothing to Seuss's books. Seuss's children pulled an early book that had a problomatic racist character in it (early post ww2 propaganda). Explicitly because simular depctions to said character was being used modernly to attempt to stoke race riots (with no wide spread sucess thank goodness, but still with dozens dead)
The only Dr.Seuss books that were censored were 2 taken out of circulation because the racism was so imbedded that rewriting, like the popular stories was impossible. The decision was made by the descendants of the author. I have seen original copies of Dr.Seuss and yes they were definitely offensive to people of color
Jon just been watching your ragnarok streams and I think that your play through was better than other TH-camrs because you know boat loads about the mythology behind the game/Norse 👍🏻
13:05 I would note that the book strongly implies that the story takes place near Dover, as the peach is portrayed rolling over the famous White Cliffs into the sea. Dover is nowhere near London, being right on the coast where London is much further inland, and the two settlements are 78 miles away from each other.
one of my favorite stories that he wrote (The Twits) about an awful couple who would torture each other. but in that story I learned his view about people, which as a child helped me. he stated that just because you may not be physically attractive or be what society finds beautiful, if you are a kind and happy person people can see the true beauty glow from within. and conversely he pointed out the same, which no matter how hard you make yourself look the part, if you are hateful and vile it will still seep out. but in the story the two awful people were just ugly inside and out lol.
I agree with you in the last part. This world isn’t perfect. As much as we want to preserve the innocence of children, they must also learn that from an early age there’s challenges that as they grow up will get harder and harder to overcome and in order to tell them that instead of drilling it through normal parenting, stories is a better way to tell that. In addition, there’s differences in the world even if these so called “triggered people” don’t want to acknowledge. That’s the point of children stories. Nobody is the same. They’re fat, skinny, dumb, smart, man, women, tall, short, athletic, lazy, responsible, irresponsible, black, white, brown, rich, poor, sick, healthy. All of this is already exposed to them and they accept it without anymore questioning unless they are curious and ask their parents why are there these differences. It’s up to parents, not these morons, to educate kids. These morons who censor speech might as well think they are doing to the world a great favor but what they are doing is a great de-service especially towards kids nowadays.
I feel like these editors are drilling biases into the kids more than the books they claim to be “fixing” are. Like I understand the whole point of inclusive language but trust me a kid won’t take these things as hard as maybe a older person would. For example Fat aunt Sponge, like I seriously doubt that a kid will read this book and come out of it thinking that fat people are evil. That’s just not how the child brain works. If anything you’re not helping the children at all, you’re helping the adults around them who are whining like wounded dogs
According to them, Tolkien is so horrific, racist, sexist, phobic, etc. that they're trying to outright ban him. I think a few libraries have already pulled his books off the shelves. The people who complain about Tolkien, especially the ones who have "degrees", have never read his books before. Everything they complain about can be disputed in 1 sec by opening up one of the books. They're just retarded and don't like the fact that good and evil exists in his books. According to them, there's only good and misunderstood.
OMG!!! One of my favorite childhood movies. When I was in kindergarten, our principal read the book to my class and we got to have peach ice cream on the last day!!! Were we kids so the crazy stuff was left out lol 🤷🏾♀️ Thanks, Jon❤
Thank you, Jon! I've subscribed several years ago, and have always quietly listened to your content while partaking in my many hobbies. This video really caught my attention, because in 5th grade in the mid-80s, my teacher had us doing a book club of sorts throughout the year. We all got a copy of the book, and had to read a part each week, we would then discuss the book, break down metaphoric speech, learn about the cultures of the characters, etc. and at the end of each book we would have a class party where we got to try some of the traditional dishes mentioned in the book, wore costumes, etc. We did this with several books through the entire school year. Where the Red Fern Grows, The Lion, Witch, and Wardrobe, Bridge to Terabithia, and James and the Giant Peach. I still have copies of each to this day. I can't imagine someone going through and editing even a single word from them. Each one of those books was used to not only teach us to read in a different way, but to teach us ways to cope with things like everyday stress, making tough choices, and even loss and grief as well as to enhance our views of cultures around the world. Thank you for taking the stand against this censorship. I can't imagine today's children not having the opportunity to come face to face with the same things that helped to shape me at their age.
Patsy is aunt spiker?! What a fantastic casting choice. I read this book many times as a child, but the movie was released when I was 16. This vid makes me want to watch it for sure.
If you like stop motion animation, I would like to recoement Paranorman (also based off a book) and Kubo of the Two Strings if you havent seen them already. They are great movies, with very moving storylines. They are some of my favorite kids movies. I think Mr. Solo would get some good content from Paranorman if he analized the story for messages and themes that are seen throughout classical folklore. But... thats probable just a fun daydream.
Love this so much. Thanks Jon. I really appreciate all that you said about censorship in literature and life. I agree with mostly everything you said. Because people need to be resourceful to be able to handle life. No one is saying to purposely put things in children's books for shock value. But important lessons need to be learned so later in life it's handled better.
So glad to hear that they released the originals as intended and that they are selling better. I hate when there are folks out there that feel that everything is an attack and must be rubbed down to a smooth white surface when the world is actually rough and grey.
Thank you. As a book reviewer I hate censorship of this sort. I am a grandmother as well. I am constantly hitting used book sales to buy up classic books of all kinds so that my grandchildren have the originals uncensored. Dahl and others understood something that these mutilators of literature don't - children are much smarter than adults give them credit for.
This was one of the best, most in depth and informative TH-cam videos I've seen. Great work Jon and thank you for bringing attention to something I believe is crucial for everyone. History as it really happened.
As I've been reading "Harry Potter", I can really see how James's aunts became the inspiration for Vernon, Petunia and Dudley. Ironic considering all the controversy J.K. Rowling has been getting lately (make that what you will). Though it makes me wonder how James' wonderful dad (or mom, were the aunts paternal or maternal?) was blood-related to two vile pieces of trash...with Petunia, it was explained that she grew bitter and jealous over Lily being magical and their parents may've played favorites because of it. What were the aunts' excuse?
Thank you for putting out this video. I usually don’t comment on videos, but this one left me scratching my head. As soon as I saw it pop up I just had to click on it. I grew up reading James and the giant peach and any Roald Dahl books I could get my hands on. From a young age they were some of my favorite books. Yes, some of the topics could be dark and maybe a bit controversial, I guess. But I was never offended. I think people need to give children more credit. Thank you for not being afraid to speak up about the absurdity.
Wow. I had missed this story. I am 61, love your content. I am a member of Mensa and history is one of hobbies. Just met u today. Very familiar with myths but u often actually beefed up my memories.🎉
My mom really loves these books, I've grown with them and learned a lot from them, books like those and some others that made part of my childhood help me go through a lot of hardships, and to see them being thorn like that it just... Really hurts me a lot, just like John said, it's about teaching you to go through the journey that is life, not to pretend there is no hardship and causing children to slip even harder afterwards
Everything Jon says 28:35 onward is FACTS! People like Ben Shapiro wish they could form arguments and conjure evidence as smoothly as this guy! Censorship weakens us all in the end and we won’t know our vulnerabilities unless we too know our strength.
just found this channel. Well done dude, don't be afraid to speak the truth! This was a childhood favorite of mine, since at an early age, its dark tone comforted me, having gone through a real life and not a life with nerfed corners.
The aunt with the dainty toes, played a partner in a BBC special called The Little Princess. Seeing her in this, is absolutely shocking as it shows now that I can compare, how well an actor she is. Not to be confused for the Shirley temple movie of same name. The six hour movie is beautifuly done. It's about a little girl who is made destitute when her father dies, and is turned from pupil to slave. No matter how horrible she's treated, she always keeps a positive view. Watched it so many times, and it still brings me to tears.
I was an adult when I saw James and the Giant Peach as an animated film. I cannot tell you how horrified I was by that film I couldn't believe that they were showing that to children. That would have given me nightmares as a child.
I think that one thing these "sensitivity readers" forget is reading is often a choice and often if a child is uncomfortable with a book, they will just put it down. A lot of kids know what they can handle. I know when I first picked up James and the Giant Peach I was so sad about how his aunts treated him that I put it down and came back to it when I was older.
Rials Dahl was and always will be one of my favored authors. You did a BEAUTIFUL job with his story. It’s always been one of my favorites. He’s so creative and whimsical.
I seriously hate censorship like that. I can understand removing anything such as racism, homophobia, xenophobia, etc. (unless making a point to show how stupid it all is and anyone who thinks that way and how it is best to treat everyone with kindness and care), but censoring a story like this makes no sense whatsoever. I hope to purchase the full story sometime soon before idiots get their hands on it again. Excellent video! Keep up the great work!
I wouldn't even censor those things. The definition of those terms is just too nebulous, and changes depending on what side of the political aisle you're on.
@@amandastjohn4735 Treating humans with respect is not a political issue. It is the right thing to do. It hurts no one to care about a person who isn't harming anyone, doesn't matter their sexuality, skin tone, beliefs, etc. People with bad intentions or who don't want to learn how to treat others as they would want to be treated just make excuses to be cruel.
@@jessepatterson1909 No need for name-calling. Not everything needs to be censored. That should be obvious when it comes to teaching critical thinking such as with similarities and differences, problems and solutions, as long as it harms no one. When it comes to the intentional harming of people, it's bad. That's a fact, not a subjective concept. Emotions just complicate everything.
@@jessepatterson1909 I completely agree. It has been part of human culture for so so long that it's pathetic and society in the Western world has had an influence on me. Yet, there are a majority of people from all over the world, east, west, north, south, and everywhere in between, who understand, harm is not good. That's why there is what's called the universal truth. Harm none. Whether religious or not. Not sure if I consider myself morally superior. 🤔 Maybe I do, but science is what I prefer to base everything on. And, in my opinion 😉, I hope we have evolved past our species' immaturity when it comes to harming each other or that we do in the near future. 😊 We don't need to dismiss anything each other says, just learn from it.
Jon, you are so insightful and explain the value of Dahl's works for children so eloquently. I am a children's librarian, so obviously I am against censorship and you have a gift for explaining just how important it is to allow children to experience negative things in safe spaces (like literature) in order to learn how to cope with them in life. Bravo to you, sir and keep up the good work!!!
I like to play devil’s advocate, so I will do so now: I think it was extremely wise for them to keep the original and sell the censored version at the same time; many parents have different views, but the story is inspiring and it would be sad if children were not able to hear them due to their parents’ concern for different controversial topics being in the books. At least for that reason, I cannot fault them for censoring. I also understand the need for gender neutrality when it comes to professional titles (police, fire, etc.). I imagine it would be a bit confusing for a child who’s mother is a police officer to see that the strong policemen were the ones to faint, but no mention is made of the women. As far as the mentions of fatness… the only redeeming thing I can say is that excessively pointing out the characteristics of fat people can most certainly teach kids that this is also something they should focus on and make comments about. It seems to be mentioned in a negative light most of the time, so that could inspire the same thoughts in impressionable minds. ADVOCACY OVER: HE SAID DON’T TOUCH IT SO DON’T TOUCH IT. I say this as an African-American, overweight woman. If he said don’t mess with his work, leave it as the time piece that it is! Does that mean it will sell less? YES. But you got to make a movie that fit your liking so why mess with the original work?? One reason: money. And I will never, EVER support censorship for the sake of more money.
Just discovered this channel and I had to instantly subscribe and like this video. I really appreciate hearing someone stand up for Dahl's writing instead of just letting his words be lost to time because the censors don't want people's feelings to possibly get hurt.
I know this may be off topic but 10 years ago when I was being bullied and isolated at school, my grandparents bought me a book named Matilda. Roal Dahl's writing is amazing, I am so truly thankful I had that book at that time.
I 100% agree with your outlook on the censorship and changing of the author’s work. Thank you for communicating it so well, it made me feel less alone in my own way of thinking about these subjects.
I've suggested Jon do a ranking list of Hellhounds for a Halloween episode a few times, and the puppers can even be dressed up as different Hellhounds so they can be on theme for the video and possibly play a part in the video as well. On another note, last year, I became aware of a mythological creature called the Aralez. The Aralez is a creature from Armenian mythology that is described as a winged dog-like creature that descends from the heavens to revive heroes by licking their wounds. Now, I'm not aware of any publically available stories that feature the creatures; they seem to be pretty obscure on the world stage, but I would love to see them make appearances in the Fantasy space, and various popular media. The way the Aralez is described kind of makes it sound like a Reverse Hellhound, which is kind of interesting when you think about it. There are dozens upon dozens of variations of Hellhounds all over the world, the most well-known being the monsters find D&D and Pathfinder and the ones that have made an appearance in Helluva Boss (and will probably show up at some point in Hazbin Hotel), but there don't seem to be any real variations of the Aralez outside of Armenian mythology and culture.
Honestly, I grew up with all the childrens stories uncensored (including the stories of the grimm brothers) and I live a normal live. At this point I need to mention, that I was never skinny in my whole live and I never felt offended by a childrensbook. I think you are right that too much sugar coating isn't going to do the children any favours.
I have a curiosity question that this channel could possibly cover in a future episode involving dragons. Which came first, benevolent dragons, or malicious dragons?
Great question! I touch on this a bit in my episode called "The Messed Up Origins of Dragons." If we're talking about Western culture exclusively then malicious dragons were definitely first, but you mean Eastern vs Western then I'd have to do some more research on the age of the written records describing them.
I certainly would hope more people saw The Flight of Dragons or read the book. It's now more relevant than ever since the 12th of May this year. On that note there's already pretty good videos by chromalore and Dominic Noble about The Last Unicorn, by the same studio, which nowadays is known better by the name given by its later owner Hayao miyazaki.
I remember seeing the Flight of Dragons as a kid, the opening song stick with me along with the debate of Magic vs Science I'd like to see an episode from both creators about it, maybe even a collaboration
My favourite book as a kid was George's Marvellous Medicine. My mum was constantly reminding me that i could make as many crazy mixtures as i wanted as long as i never touched anything in the actual medicine cupboard or under the sink and i never drank my potion. 😂
I love James and the giant peach (the movie) so much. I’ve never had a chance to read the book. But if I had to buy it I would prefer the original as it’s the author’s words.
I remember seeing the nostalgia critic review this movie a long time ago and i loved the comment he made of one of the aunts She looks like the crypt keeper wearing make-up
I grown up in the foster care system James and the Giant Peach was almost that my dream life would’ve been.Even through I have that now with alot of friends but big family that makes me feel worth living.I can’t wait to see more
AHHHH that's my birthday for the trip, dang if I wasn't broke and a stay at home mom, I would go! haha I am so glad this channel was in my suggestions this morning. I love these type of breakdowns. You're awesome Solo.
the grasshopper one is very accurate, im from mexico and in certain places you can even find people that sell them in bags as if they were chips to eat, i can only imagine they linked that with that stuff of Chinese people eating dogs but this is much more close to something like a sheep making a joke about getting their stomach open and filled with guts and more and being eaten by a german
I am a retired teacher. These books are good for kids. I'm am sure the same sensitivity editors have no problem exposing kids to the crap our culture exposes them to
It was an elementary school teacher who read them to my class as a kid, and I'm forever grateful, given the horrifying child abuse I was suffering - Matilda and James both suffered like I did, and their stories gave me so much hope. Thank you for agreeing - and no doubt also sharing these with kids.
I love books, and the thing about reading an older books is that they're a capsule of the author and society at the time they were written. If you censor them for "modern sensibilities" you deny that the world has ever changed in any way. More so when you do that with children's books since that's a chance to have a conversation with children about how things have changed for both good and bad.
My dad grew up with Dahl, i played with Sophie as a toddler, its really interesting seeing a younger gen critique these books when i knew a lot of the people the characters are based on.
![[Full Episode] The Restaurant War Thailand ศึกพ่อค้าซ่าแม่ค้าแซ่บ Episode 1 | 22 ก.ย. 67](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/BuzQ70v-UZQ/mqdefault.jpg)
Join me on the Messed Up Origins Field Trip to IRELAND! www.trovatrip.com/trip/europe/ireland/ireland-with-jon-scudieri-jun-2024
I hope you have the bestest time, and this was a really wonderful episode. And thanks for being brave for publishing your opinions, I can imagine you were worried about becoming like the author of potter... not that you are, but politics and controversy.. in any case, thanks cutie pie for your great vids.
Wish I could go with y'all. Unfortunately I'll be going to classes during that time, so keep us updated if there will be a trip to another fantastical destination in the summer of 2025!
Also, it does my heart good to hear a modern content creator like yourself call out attempts to censor innocuous language in classic literature. Honestly it surprises me that given Dahl's views on the matter he didn't leave instructions to whoever was managing the rights to his stories that publishers who attempted to do something like this should have their rights to the stories revoked.
Could you do The Wizard of Oz or Treasure Island?
@JonSolo best episode ever! Cancel culture is taking over. People have become so ridiculous. I’m of firm belief that art in any form should not be censored. Are we gonna reright history books so the word nazi isn’t in it. That word can be real triggering. So since we can talk about nazi we have to rewrite history and basically erase world war 2.
Please make a video all about the origins of Luigi’s Kitsune Power-Up from the Super Mario franchise since you’ve done an awesome job explaining the origins of Mario’s Tanuki Power-Up please
I grew up with all of his books and loved each and every one of them. I never took anything in any of his books to be mean, offensive, or "triggering". I was a heavy child, but the only things that these books did was to make it known that even as a child, as long as you are kind, humble, and generous, you too can make a difference in this world. And as a 39 year old man now, I still fully believe it as i have read all of these original books to my children as writen and intended.
Ronald Dahl was antisemitic but Matilda is relatable to me as a disabled and previously gifted abuse survivor it's very comforting because of that
I dunno, Mr. Twit almost sounded like a Jewish stereotype. I mean, he goes on for paragraphs about dirty beards.
but maybe I'm reading too much into it.
Well I'm sick of companies censoring old book for absolutely no fucking reason if rol was still around and found out that they are doing to his books he would be flipping in his grave I'm just sick of it and I know you are too I'm waiting for mother nature to flush it all away all this crap that is going on today is nothing but a BS three ring circus sideshow because I'm tired of it completely and basically they're doing that to add they're idiotic politics that I can't stand we don't need any of it we need to be free from all that including leaders we don't need them either
They also seem to forget that the other aunt being Ramrod thin is considered JUST as unpleasant of a trait. It’s not about ugliness, it’s used as a thematic symptom (not CAUSE) of their personality: Sponge is selfish and gluttonous, while Spike is greedy and miserly.
To rephrase, they’re not evil because they’re “ugly”. Instead, their evil intentions is ultimately self destructive, taking a toll on their bodies as well as the people around them. For one of them, that means gorging themselves, and for the other, that means starving themselves, and neither do it out of a place of love. If they were shaped as such but with loving hearts, Dahl might consider them “odd looking”, as people come in all shapes and sizes, but never UGLY
@@spindash64in “The Twits” Dahl specifies a belief that your inner beauty is what is reflected in your outward appearance. The Aunts are not evil because they’re ugly, they’re ugly because they’re evil. Being evil has made them ugly.
Giving kids a safe, fictional space to explore things like abuse and sadness and danger is SOOO important! Roald Dahl was and is a huge part of children learning to hold onto their kindness and compassion in life.
Absolutely correct!
Well there's always been a certain demographic within a certain demographic whose sheltering comes before the healing of other children including the less fortunate within their demographic 😐😐
I lost much of my childhood in his books and movies. Now it's all ipads and xboxes I really hope kids still get to enjoy these amazing stories. James marvellous medicine was 1 of of my favourites and matilda
@@MissCellanious1 It's a certain political party & their lobbyists & tools who are taking away freedom & trying to completely control society.
My school actually had a day where he was celebrated. I had to read James and the giant peach for 7th grade.
When it comes to Roald describing features that are often associated with being 'ugly', I like to reference a few lines from his book 'The Twits'. He claims that, even if you are born pretty, if you only think mean and ugly thoughts your face will start to twist to reflect that and make you look ugly. But if you think kind and gentle thoughts, even if you have a wart, crooked teeth, and two chins, that kindness will shine from your face and you'll always look lovely!
Dahl was right! I have noticed that pretty people who are mean turn uglier the more I know them. 😨
EXACTLY! These editors are taking this on such a surface level and compeltely ignoring the context not to mention that these people’s looks are just a personification how how they act and who they are on the inside. Dahl was never criticizing physical features of people, he was criticizing BAD BEHAVIOR. The fact that these editors can’t seem to notice that makes them more childish than the people they claim to be protecting
My grandmother always told me: pretty is as pretty does.
@@morgainnejadedid she really or did she change the words of forest Gump?
@@MelB868 considering I'm now old enough to be a grandma myself, this was many many years before anyone ever heard of *the* Forrest Gump. And even if none of that were the case, it wouldn't change the sentiment one bit.
I had two aunts who looked very similar to the aunts in the movie. However mine were awesome. The taller skinny one always wanted to take us shopping and to the toy store and McDonalds. The short round one was a kindergarten teacher for 40 years who always had awesome games to play, tons of imagination, and the best puns anyone could think of.
In other words, your aunts are the good twins of Sponge and Spiker!
You had the Aunt Puff and Aunt Nicer
That's a nice cocoincidence!!
I would ALWAYS choose to read an author’s original version. I’m soooo sick of censorship and this idea that we should be protecting our children way too much about some things, yet utterly not about others. Love your content, Jon. Keep it coming!!!
The author was apparently anti Semitic so I don't feel too bad for him individually 😂
Richard Adams and Roald dahl, are authors who shouldn’t be censored. But gore and pron should.
And you also have to be careful what you are reading, because I’ve seen banned book list by actual ‘news’ companies that are totally made up to make people mad.
@@EnfjscrollingDr Suess didn't understand children
@@EnfjscrollingHow was he antisemitic?
Kids playing GTA while we worried about them reading some kids books
I'm half Mexican and when you talked about the grasshopper saying he would rather be fried and eaten by a Mexican was hilarious to me 😂. Anyone getting offended by that line would likely not survive in a conversation with a group of Mexicans from Mexico because they would get their feelings hurt.
I’ll admit my mind just imagines a cutaway gag to a party with mariachi playing, everyone having the time of their lives except Grasshopper
this is now cannon in my mond... Somebody PLEEEEEEEAAAAASSSSE write this song!
I live in Mexico, so true haha!
Add a lil lemon and salt and now we talking 😂
Not just Mexico, many East Asian countries also do that. Mostly in less urban places though since grasshoppers aren't that easy to spot anymore.
The extra irony of the "fat Aunt Sponge" situation is that the other aunt is thin. So we have a fat one AND a thin one and they're BOTH terrible. It has nothing to do, inherently, with her being fat or thin, it has to do with who she is. Plus we even know she was super vain and saw herself as beautiful, from the whole "little toes" bit (which, weird, but okay). It's like Augustus Gloop; it isn't his being fat that is the issue, the other children weren't and were just as terrible.
that's a great point - Sponge and Spiker are on opposite ends of the size-spectrum but manage to be equally evil!
And the point of it, as far as I can tell, is not that their appearance means they’re evil, but that their evilness is self destructive: they are so devoid of life and light that the only thing worth mentioning about them at first impression IS their physical appearance, because there is nothing to them beyond that skin depth to judge
@@spindash64 That as well! I do see in a lot of media where the only fat character is typecast as the bully, and I can see how that can create connotations of fat person = bad in kid's brains, but that's not the case in Roald Dahl's books that I've read.
Their size barely ever registered in my psyche. They were just absolutely terrible people. Like the aunts from The Lorax
I'd love to know what the sensitivity editors thought of Dahl's The Twits. There's a specific part of the book that says that if you're a nice person, you can be fat, warty etc and still look lovely, but if you're a nasty person then those things make you look ugly.
The revised books have indeed "had their soul sucked out of them".
I'm 67, and when I finished reading JAMES AND THE GIANT PEACH at age 11 I actually hugged the book.
It is a treasure of my childhood.
God bless you, Jon, for this video, and God bless Roald Dahl!
The movie didn’t come out to 1996 I don’t think it was around when you were little I was still a kid and my brother and James from the movie they are the same age
@@MelB868she’s talking about the book🤦♂️
@@MelB868 Reread that please. They're talking about the *BOOK* not the *MOVIE.*
Amen to that…
I was lucky enough to have read them in the 80’s meaning they'd still been spared.
@@fludderkiddiewait why is it better to have read them back then?
Spared from what?
"These unpaid interns majoring in gender studies are literally reading these books through the lens of how can this be taken the wrong way. Which may just be the most destructive lens that one can view life through". I really like this phrase and I 100% agree with what you said.
I was an abused (and oft starved) child - and Roald Dahl books were a HUGE help for me as a kid! Matilda could have been about ME - a little brown haired girl with parents who didn't care about her, who sought solace in books, and whose teachers were often the only adults who could make me feel safe when I was trapped in a horrible, abusive situation...it gave me hope, when Ms. Honey adopted Matilda, and let me daydream about having a savior who might whisk me away from all the pain, hunger, and hurt that the people who were supposed to love me put me in. James and the Giant Peach didn't hit me as hard, but was equally on point about an abused child finding friends in those that society also deems as outcasts, or weirdos - someone fearful. It's the outcasts who 'save' him, and give him a home...(and I had a greedy, fat, narcissistic stepmother who made it her life's mission to make my life hell - it's not fat people who are the problem, but it's a bit ironic that she was a lot like that greedy aunt! xD)
Children need these books. I was a child who needed these stories to give me hope that I could make it out of this terrible world full of adults who only caused me harm...but that some adults could be kind, and help me navigate that darkness. Bless Roald Dahl for giving me that hope, when I needed it most. I might just be alive, today, because of his words.
I didn't feel any Ill will or malice in that line the grasshopper said at all and I'm Hispanic. Heck, my parents who grew up in Mexico even got a small chuckle out of it. And now that some people are pushing for the eating of bugs as a "sustainable alternative" it losses the argument for malice even more.
By some people you mean bill gates lol most people don’t want to eat bugs especially in a first world western country
I think that got lost on the censorship people. They could've handled that by doing a poll with a group consisting of Mexicans and South Americans to see how they felt.
@@khher1979doing a poll for every joke? Yikes. Also it's usually the white and some black people who love to get offended for others, anyway.
thank you for sharing your perspective! and the sustainability argument is a great point actually. To me, the editors finding offense in a genuine cultural practice is actually *more* offensive.
@@khher1979 that was done many times in similar situatuions. Not this particular one but with other quotes that would be potentially more offensive- spoiler alert: most of these minorities laughed and didn't think it could be meant in any offensive manner. Minorities don't want to be abused and that's all they care about. Why can't we simly just do the same?
You explained the censorship so eloquently as if you had a window into my brain. Thank you for standing up and spotlighting what is going on. I mainly work with preschoolers as a speech therapist and one of the things I work on is giving them the respect and choices to make up their minds even at a young developing age. When you remove that choice and water things down you essentially insult their perception and intellect.
Very well said!
BARS!
So, if there was straight up porn and ISIS beheadings in a book or video, would you show it to the kids so that it wouldn’t be “watered down”?
@@NeverOhVerthat's literally using a extreme to justify removing the word strong from a book
@@mckstellar1005 They basically said nothing should be censored
Dahl was one of my favorite authors as a kid. He never showed away from showing kids in scary, sad situations that they would overcome. The world is a scary place and he made that scariness something I could change. Books that were too saccharine didn't match my experiences even as a 7 year old. I saw kids overcoming things far worse than I had ever encountered. That was comforting and he did it with humor. I reveled in those books. Dahl had more faith in kids. It's wrong to take that away.
Even growing up in awful situations, books like his provided memorable methods of escapism for sure 💯..
Holes had a special place in my heart because running away and eating preserved fruits and raw onions was preferable to reality, bonus was he came out the victor! Heck, the movie had NOTHING on the book, I like my version of the Woodpecker song much better, I still sing it to this day because the melancholy never went away.
Imagine the power team Dahl and don bluth would make
It wouldn't be controversial if Westerners weren't so obsessed with the concept of childhood being some kind of fantasy that must be guaranteed. It just conditions us to a world that doesn't exist.
I freaking despise the Boomer generation for treating us this way-like we were their stress teddy bears or something. We all had to spend our entire 20's trying to adapt to actual reality after being conditioned to their stupid idea of "childhood". It just sets us up for failure (usually manifesting as drug addiction for guys and sex addiction for girls among everyone I grew up with--- "protecting us" from _literally everything_ only to reverse course on a dime and send us into the world completely unprepared).
@@ChadDidNothingWrong It sounds like you in particular had that experience i don't know why your so blind to see if you had a childhood that coddled and parents that infantilized you then you were extremely lucky. Most of us do not get that and were exposed to the harsh truths and evils the world had to offer young, yet still struggle with drug/sex addiction despite having a polar opposite childhood experience. I think your making false equivalencies here based on anecdotal evidence.
My one issue is that Roald Dahl is viewed as a childhood hero and a great author, and in some ways that’s true, but he was racist and extremely anti-Semitic. His book Charlie and the chocolate factory is one of his books that details how he felt about slavery and the Oompa Loompas being “almost black”.. he was an extremely controversial figure and some people view him negatively for that
Back in 1980, a loving elementary school teacher read these to me while we sat around her on a rug. I couldn’t wait for story time. Dahl’s books have had a significant impact on my life. I read each of my favorites 10s of times. I tried to instill the same fascination for the world into my children. I hope I did it right.
Roald Dahl was a childhood inspiration to me, I reread his books over and over again because I found comfort and joy in the dark, grizzly themes. I had childhood trauma and I felt like his writing was wrapping me in its arms and saying ‘yes life is hard sometimes, and that’s ok’. The creativity of his writing has always inspired me and I want to write and illustrate children’s books that capture even a hint of that myself. Censorship of his books is crazy; they weren’t offensive to me as a child and they won’t be offensive to my children either.
That's lovely, and I hope you're successful in your writings!
It isn't okay that life is hard, as it's only hard because society, which is supposed to make life better, allows it to be hard. Humans are allowed to suffer, starve, be homeless, die from treatable maladies, lose everything if the government thinks they're owed something, all because survival and worth is based on money. We don't get to choose to exist, we shouldn't have to pay to exist. Even those with jobs aren't secure and can lose everything in a moment's notice. That should not be the case in a civilized society.
I remember as a kid Roald Dahl was supposed to come to our local library to do a reading of one of his books. Unfortunately he couldn't make it as he had become unwell. He passed later. Still can't get my head around the fact that I almost met my favourite childhood and adulthood author.
DAMN U MUST BE FROM 1940 OR U CAPPING HEAVY
Dang, that's nuts. Shame, but at least you got an interesting story out of it.
@@LOREOFTHETHINGS he died in 1990 lol
I have a theory that the old man is actually James himself. I think that after enduring years of abuse under his aunts he escaped but by this time he was short and decrepit. After his escape he started studying magic, and in order to erase as many of the years of torment as possible and air a better life for himself he went back in time to where he was still healthy but had spent enough time with the aunts to know he had to escape and gave himself the crocodile tongues. He never anticipated the insect friends and the peach ship, that was just luck.
I have lived as an abuse and trauma survivor for a long time and I have lived most of my life with anxiety and panic disorders and a rather crippling unfair and unrealistic view of the world and how much threat other people post to me on a daily basis.
With one simple quote about idiocy John solo has just done something that everyone I know and God himself hasn't been able to do, get me to realize that sometimes people are just dumb and not malicious.
On top of being informative and engaging your content is also inspiring
thank you.
I hope God, Jesus, and His Holy Blessed Peaceful Spirit heals your soul (mind, spirit, and emotions) from the trauma and abuse. I don't know all your atruggles and life experiences (of course it's not my business), but God knows all. I am able to relate to anxiety hard-ships, and having endured abuse and the resulting traima. I still struggle to forgive my parents for what they took from me: my innocence, peace, and sanity. The truth is, though I still struggle mentally, emotionally, and spiritually, the Lord Jesus has helped me immensely in my life. He gave me the courage to stop being a binge drinker and to not spend time with ''toxic/poisonous 'friends'''. He gave me more self-control, self-love, and self-respect so that I don't cut my skin anymore. He helped me to get more in shape, and NOT under-eat, take diet pills, or exercise excessively- instead I'll take walks, sometimes do laps through a parking lot, and strength training to build muscle in my apartment (push-ups, sit-ups, arm band exercises, and squats). He helped me get into a habit of adding more protein to my diet (I hardly eat meat) with protein powder shakes. Jesus helped me to be less lustful, and respect my body, spirit emotions, and mind more. I used to use the sexual abuse as an excuse to be depraved and not respect myself and others, but now I have improved boundaries, and dress modestly in public. I was more materialistic, and Jesus helped me start living a 'minimalism' life-style. I used to eat many sweets and drink so much soda, but He/Jesus helped me cut back on sugar so much in my life. Years ago I overdosed on pills, and in the ER I was praying to God, and He saved me from death. Jesus is real and did rise from the dead. The/His Holy Spirit is real and alive. God is real and always was. My life isn't easy, and I suffer, but I no longer want to commit suicide, and I have hope in spite of my circumstances. God has shown me my spiritual ugliness/sin in a spiritual mirror, and helped me improve my spiritual image so much. Thank You, Jesus, for Your salvation with Your death-sacrifice on the cross. Thank You, God, for creating me, loving me, and giving Your Son Jesus willingly for my multitude of sins. Thank You, Holy Spirit for Your love and guidance. To you who were abused: I hope the best for you- salvation for you- and you went through so much with the abuse and trauma, and having the anxiety and panic attack struggles, and that is brave of you to speak up about what you were put through, and how its affected your mind. AA and counseling didn't help me improve as a person, yet the One Who helped me change over the years has always been Jesus.
When trying to discern between malice and incompetence, always assume incompetence.
Hey Victoria! Thank you so much for this comment. I can't imagine the abuse and trauma that you've endured, but I'm so happy that sharing a simple quote was able to give you some new perspective on it (the same quote has helped me pull through some hardships and family feuds over the last year).
I don't want to sound like the previous commenter preaching a religion to you, but if you're interested in a school of philosophy that could bring about some inner peace I would recommend stoicism. To put it simply, it's the practice of taking ultimate responsibility for the feelings conjured up by our egos including anxiety, anger, resentment, jealousy, pride, etc. If you're interested you can find some great videos on Ryan Holiday's TH-cam channel that contain more great quotes like this and explanations for how to apply them to life.
Thanks again for leaving this comment and taking the time to watch the video all the way to the end. Wishing you the best :)
@@Sira77777 this is the literal definition of shoving someone's religion down another person's throat.
Yes people are not paying attention to others and how their own behavior might affect someone- ALOT of the time. Unfiltered opinions run rampant on social media, where in person, we might filter what and how we say something depending on our audience. Hence the term some people describe themselves as having "no filter". So basically you have to accept that as a part of social media communications, I've had people in my own family get upset about a random musing I wrote, and even one time I reposted a funny music video parody, and a family member identified with it so much he thought I posted it as a slight against him. I was really confused and professed it was just universally funny to me. He was really mad at me. And for a long while before he brought it up. And it truly wasn't directed at him. I hope you still feel supported and learn to look at things in new way and maybe you can heal yourself. The practice of reiki has helped me get over some of my traumas (still working thru it) and I spend less energy thinking about what people mean on FB/Twitter. I would rather watch more messed up origins or go play my Nintendo switch! ❤
I’m Mexican American and the grasshopper line made me laugh out loud. I mean that literally,I was listening to you on Bluetooth and just freaked out my daughter who’s in the room with me practicing her violin.
Can we give the actresses who played Spiker and sponge credit please? Because the way they were portrayed was about as book accurate as you’re going to get
Yeah there were women who made careers out of being the big ugly mean caretaker in movies and the movies were better because of them
@@austinsavage5962 but then again the same actress who played aunt sponge also was Professor sprout so there’s that as well😆
@@ChoujifangirlThat explains s the peach tree
@@austinsavage5962 doing a great service to all 🫡
@@Art-X-W good point😆
I would love to see more of Roald Dahl's stories on this channel. I have read a lot of his books in 5th grade (Mostly because my class and I had projects surrounding his works) and I loved every one of them. I am so angered and more disappointed that people would censor these stories for superficial and childish reasons.
Have u read Lambs to the Slaughter? It's only a small one but people never expected him to write that
or because he was anti-semitic.
@@Cottontailart I have not. I might add it to the list.
Just like Dr. Seuss.
I love the 1971 adaptation of one os Roald Dahl's books with Gene Wilder Willy Wonka and The Chocolate Factory and 1996 Matilda with Mara Wilson from Robin Williams' Mrs. Doubtfire.
Wow, I absolutely cannot believe how ridiculous the changes were to his book. It's beyond sad that this has been happening.
I agree 😢
Perhaps we should force a reversal?
The spider is not wearing a chef's hat in that drawing: that's a hair bonnet that women wear to protect their hair while they sleep.
Dahl is made my childhood absolutely incredible writer who understood kids better then most people these days. He wasnt affraid to put a dark twist in his books and ofcourse with a great lesson he'll be remembered. While those people that tried to change his work will be forgotten
My one issue is that Roald Dahl is viewed as a childhood hero and a great author, and in some ways that’s true, but he was racist and extremely anti-Semitic. His book Charlie and the chocolate factory is one of his books that details how he felt about slavery and the Oompa Loompas being “almost black”.. he was an extremely controversial figure and some people view him negatively for that
@@johnnyo.7668did- did you not see the end of the video? The oomph Loompas were supposed to be black African children. He wanted to send a message. Wonka WAS NOT A GOOD PERSON IN THE BOOKS. But kids wouldn't understand the underlying meaning and had to change it cuz adults felt uncomfortable about it.
@@johnnyo.7668Why make a comment about an aspect of Roald Dahl's writings, which Solo went over in this video? Oh wait, you didn't watch it, did you? 😂
@@johnnyo.7668 Yeah, the point about the oompah loompah was that Wonka was not a good guy, so I think you’ve misunderstood that part.
The only statement I can find from him right now that was branded “antisemitic” is this; “I’m certainly anti-Israeli, and I’ve become antisemitic in as much as that you get a Jewish person in another country like England strongly supporting Zionism. I think they should see both sides.”, which sounds to me like he’s against Israel, not antisemitic, but there might be something else he said that I didn’t find, so be might be antisemitic if there’s something else he said. But your statement about the oompah loompas is definitely wrong.
Man seeing these pictures of the book really takes me back. It's amazing how much stuff you have in memory that you never think of and then gets unlocked when you see certain things like this
I adored Roald Dahl's books as a child. James and the Giant Peach was always a favorite of mine. When we sensor this books, we are sensoring history. Its a shame.
I'm happy that I read the original version of JAMES AND THE GIANT PEACH to my children. I was very upset about the changes they had made. I do enjoy the breakdown of each and every story you have done.
Personally, I think that if you read a kid a story, the moral is delivered subconsciously and kept with them. But if you just outright tell them the moral they are supposed to learn, they'll probably forget it by the next day. Learning is best when natural and unprompted. Don't force viewpoints and interpretations, let children think for themselves and develop their own mindset.
That's what Gene Roddenberry did with Star Trek.
honestly i agree… Some of the ish these sensitivity readers are pulling is just whack
@@yallehemee460 snowflakes.
"Luckily James is there to calm there nerves."
Proceeds to look like a horror out of scary stories to tell in the dark.
@JonSolo, things you are touching on with the censorship aspect reminds me of the book "Harrison Bergeron" by Kurt Vonnegut, in which the Constitution is amended to make all American equal and that any "attribute" that gives one a leg up on their fellow citizens must wear a "Handicap" to level them out.
Weights for stronger people, masks for beautiful people, etc.
EDIT: I'm Swedish and don't have English as a first language. We didn't have these books in school. Don't be a jerk.
Wow, Charlie Chocolate, Matilda and James Peach all have the same author? 😮😮 That's wild!!
I really hope that was sarcasm lol.
Don't forget The BFG...
When I was kid this was common knowledge. He was the RL Stine or FNAF for ye olden times.
I recommend everyone watch the video "childhood ruined".
As much as I hate Disney, I like these messed-up origins.
He also wrote a short story about a very nice old lady who runs a bed and breakfast (while, it's implied, occasionally murdering and taxidermying young men who come to her place).
I work in the bookselling business and I was pissed off when I heard about what Puffin wanted to do to the books. I don't believe in censoring an author's work. If you're reading a book to a child of you child is reading a book, you, as a parent can step in if there's something the child doesn't understand or makes them question. It's part of being a parent. In my opinion, most parents don't want to do this and just blame the books themselves or the authors. I read tons of Dahl's books as a child and my child has read them too. It's never harmed either of us. In fact, Matilda inspired a lifelong love of reading in me when my father first read it to me.
Totally agree. Parents: "Oh crap, we have to talk to our kids? Let's just ban and censor stuff."
honestly I'd take that tirade about dirty beards in The Twits out. like, what was the point? To gross us out?
Back in school we read the book first than watched the movie when it came out. I don't like the censorship in books. Like you said it takes away the impact the author was trying to do. People need to stop thinking everything is gonna hurt them cuz the real world won't care. Thank you for your insight on everything going on
I remember reading this book in my fifth grade class. I thought it was great! After seeing a bit of the movie version, I still liked the book better because the aunts actually die versus them surviving in the movie.
The taller aunt always scared the living crap out of me, but really made me appreciate my (crazy) but loving family and my kickass amazing aunties that helped raise me ♡
39:33 I love what you said about the editing. As an elementary school teacher I appreciate the original text and exposing kids to the way it was originally written. If it starts conversation about the use of words that just adds to the reflection on writing and how it changes and gets reinterpreted. And whether or not it should be.
I grew up with Dahl's books and I adored them! The Cloud-Men were one of my favourite encounters, and I hate the fact that these "sensitivity writers" did this to his masterpieces. All they're doing is, as you said, "sucking the soul" out of his writings; his books never offended me as a kid (or my mum who read Dahl's books to me every night), or even now! At least the original books are selling better than Puffins adaptation, and I'm so glad about that! Great coverage on one of the most beloved writers of our time! ❤
I didn’t I grew up with the Pokey Little puppy and other little golden books. Okay looked up the date way before I was born but I still had the book when I was little but I don’t remember the books of James and the giant peach
@@MelB868How did you not grow up with "The Pokey Little Puppy"? That book's still in print.
YOOOO EVEN A EMO FEMBOY IS ON OUR SIDE
Nothing from this book or the movie scared me as a child, but I do have one memory related to it that utterly scared me.
So back when I was in elementary school, we had just read the book and went to see a play based on it. We were sitting in the front row, and we got to the part where the aunts are showing off the giant peach. All of a sudden, the actress playing Aunt Sponge comes right up to me and, in character of course, starts giving the whole "come see the blah blah blah" speech while staring me down like she wanted to kill me. And she was a dead ringer for the character too, with a mole and everything. I don't know how I didn't crap my pants.
I remember as a tiny elementary student in the 90's hearing the social changes on our occupation names: fireman to firefighter, policeman to police officer, etc. I thought it was so stupid because I knew the term 'man' also meant 'humans' or 'mankind'. I was, what, 6 years old complaining about these changes to our language... not much has changed for me since then... I still complain about asinine changes in our language. Thank you for highlighting this censorship in your video!
Ngl this movie scared me as a kid, as an adult I still am honestly, the animation mainly, but the story and the meaning behind it is actually pretty nice and the spiders story is quite sad. Everybody just needs to show kindness.
I love that you gave us several examples of the censorship, and made your opinion clear. I agree; those are silly things to censor. Thank you for the amazing rundown of this story and some history behind it!
Roald Dahl was my childhood. Cutting out some of his words would definitely not have same impact as they did for me. Obviously he isn’t perfect, but the overall message is good and meant to empower children who feel powerless in their situations.
I’ve read the original book, and I remember it just because it was the only book I fully read through from the 3rd to 5th grade.
I could only really remember how book’s pictures looked.
I also gotta mention that this is the first time I’ve ever heard someone pronounce Roald’s name like that.
I was thinking the same thing about his name, I've always heard it pronounced more or less the same as "road"
It is appaling that Dahl's words were edited. I want to buy the original version. Thanks for revealing this to me. I loved Dahl's books as a kid & love teaching them today. Thanks for the deep dive.
I completely agree with you on censorship. As someone who loves and studies history, I fear the day that even history is censored or even changed to fit an agenda. Unfortunately we saw this with that Cleopatra show where she was portrayed as Black, even though that is historically inaccurate.
First Dr. Seuss gets censored and now Roald Dahl. Yes, both of these of writers have books that could use a bit of "tuning up" to be read by modern audiences but omitting whole parts of their books or just stop publishing some books altogether, is going way too far. 🤦🏽♀🤕
I agree it sad and annoying what they are doing 😔 if you don’t like the book then don’t read it! Like Srs those dummies are just jelious that he created something amazing or they are such babies that they can’t handle his beautiful work. That be like if someone went and changed Leonardo da Vinci painting the last supper for some dumb reason or his master piece Mona Lisa.
Agreed
I'm kinda saddened by it, the oompa loompas are one thing but protecting the fatties
Kind of in called for
Like what's wrong with using the word fat?
If I’m allowed to ask… What did they do to Dr. Seuss’ books?? Like what was the argument there? Just coz like Dahl, these stories are so outlandish that I can’t exactly see the problem. Like sure they’re authors weren’t the best of people, but to assume they were trying to indoctrinate children with their books is taking it a few damn PACES to far
@@yallehemee460"they" did nothing to Seuss's books.
Seuss's children pulled an early book that had a problomatic racist character in it (early post ww2 propaganda). Explicitly because simular depctions to said character was being used modernly to attempt to stoke race riots (with no wide spread sucess thank goodness, but still with dozens dead)
The only Dr.Seuss books that were censored were 2 taken out of circulation because the racism was so imbedded that rewriting, like the popular stories was impossible. The decision was made by the descendants of the author. I have seen original copies of Dr.Seuss and yes they were definitely offensive to people of color
I just taught this book to a class of 4th graders this past school year. They loved it and got excited about reading. No one was offended by anything.
Jon just been watching your ragnarok streams and I think that your play through was better than other TH-camrs because you know boat loads about the mythology behind the game/Norse 👍🏻
13:05 I would note that the book strongly implies that the story takes place near Dover, as the peach is portrayed rolling over the famous White Cliffs into the sea. Dover is nowhere near London, being right on the coast where London is much further inland, and the two settlements are 78 miles away from each other.
one of my favorite stories that he wrote (The Twits) about an awful couple who would torture each other. but in that story I learned his view about people, which as a child helped me. he stated that just because you may not be physically attractive or be what society finds beautiful, if you are a kind and happy person people can see the true beauty glow from within. and conversely he pointed out the same, which no matter how hard you make yourself look the part, if you are hateful and vile it will still seep out. but in the story the two awful people were just ugly inside and out lol.
I agree with you in the last part. This world isn’t perfect. As much as we want to preserve the innocence of children, they must also learn that from an early age there’s challenges that as they grow up will get harder and harder to overcome and in order to tell them that instead of drilling it through normal parenting, stories is a better way to tell that. In addition, there’s differences in the world even if these so called “triggered people” don’t want to acknowledge. That’s the point of children stories. Nobody is the same. They’re fat, skinny, dumb, smart, man, women, tall, short, athletic, lazy, responsible, irresponsible, black, white, brown, rich, poor, sick, healthy. All of this is already exposed to them and they accept it without anymore questioning unless they are curious and ask their parents why are there these differences. It’s up to parents, not these morons, to educate kids. These morons who censor speech might as well think they are doing to the world a great favor but what they are doing is a great de-service especially towards kids nowadays.
I feel like these editors are drilling biases into the kids more than the books they claim to be “fixing” are. Like I understand the whole point of inclusive language but trust me a kid won’t take these things as hard as maybe a older person would. For example Fat aunt Sponge, like I seriously doubt that a kid will read this book and come out of it thinking that fat people are evil. That’s just not how the child brain works. If anything you’re not helping the children at all, you’re helping the adults around them who are whining like wounded dogs
My gods, can you imagine the horrors that these "sensitivity readers" could do to Tolkien's works...?!
Boy you don't want to think about it
According to them, Tolkien is so horrific, racist, sexist, phobic, etc. that they're trying to outright ban him. I think a few libraries have already pulled his books off the shelves. The people who complain about Tolkien, especially the ones who have "degrees", have never read his books before. Everything they complain about can be disputed in 1 sec by opening up one of the books. They're just retarded and don't like the fact that good and evil exists in his books. According to them, there's only good and misunderstood.
GAH! Thanks for the mental image!!!
I guess Rings of Power could be used to gauge what would happen?
@@lin1130I’m still salty about them not giving the female dwarf her beard.
OMG!!! One of my favorite childhood movies. When I was in kindergarten, our principal read the book to my class and we got to have peach ice cream on the last day!!! Were we kids so the crazy stuff was left out lol 🤷🏾♀️ Thanks, Jon❤
Thank you, Jon! I've subscribed several years ago, and have always quietly listened to your content while partaking in my many hobbies. This video really caught my attention, because in 5th grade in the mid-80s, my teacher had us doing a book club of sorts throughout the year. We all got a copy of the book, and had to read a part each week, we would then discuss the book, break down metaphoric speech, learn about the cultures of the characters, etc. and at the end of each book we would have a class party where we got to try some of the traditional dishes mentioned in the book, wore costumes, etc. We did this with several books through the entire school year. Where the Red Fern Grows, The Lion, Witch, and Wardrobe, Bridge to Terabithia, and James and the Giant Peach. I still have copies of each to this day. I can't imagine someone going through and editing even a single word from them. Each one of those books was used to not only teach us to read in a different way, but to teach us ways to cope with things like everyday stress, making tough choices, and even loss and grief as well as to enhance our views of cultures around the world. Thank you for taking the stand against this censorship. I can't imagine today's children not having the opportunity to come face to face with the same things that helped to shape me at their age.
Patsy is aunt spiker?! What a fantastic casting choice. I read this book many times as a child, but the movie was released when I was 16. This vid makes me want to watch it for sure.
I've always liked that type of stop action animation. That is why I've always been a big fan of the movie Coraline.
If you like stop motion animation, I would like to recoement Paranorman (also based off a book) and Kubo of the Two Strings if you havent seen them already. They are great movies, with very moving storylines. They are some of my favorite kids movies. I think Mr. Solo would get some good content from Paranorman if he analized the story for messages and themes that are seen throughout classical folklore. But... thats probable just a fun daydream.
Same. In fact I got so inspired that I made a paper stop motion film of 3 girls driving a car and going to a mountain that lasted like 2 minutes
Love this so much. Thanks Jon. I really appreciate all that you said about censorship in literature and life. I agree with mostly everything you said. Because people need to be resourceful to be able to handle life. No one is saying to purposely put things in children's books for shock value. But important lessons need to be learned so later in life it's handled better.
So glad to hear that they released the originals as intended and that they are selling better. I hate when there are folks out there that feel that everything is an attack and must be rubbed down to a smooth white surface when the world is actually rough and grey.
Thank you. As a book reviewer I hate censorship of this sort. I am a grandmother as well. I am constantly hitting used book sales to buy up classic books of all kinds so that my grandchildren have the originals uncensored. Dahl and others understood something that these mutilators of literature don't - children are much smarter than adults give them credit for.
This was one of the best, most in depth and informative TH-cam videos I've seen. Great work Jon and thank you for bringing attention to something I believe is crucial for everyone. History as it really happened.
As I've been reading "Harry Potter", I can really see how James's aunts became the inspiration for Vernon, Petunia and Dudley. Ironic considering all the controversy J.K. Rowling has been getting lately (make that what you will). Though it makes me wonder how James' wonderful dad (or mom, were the aunts paternal or maternal?) was blood-related to two vile pieces of trash...with Petunia, it was explained that she grew bitter and jealous over Lily being magical and their parents may've played favorites because of it. What were the aunts' excuse?
Your take on censorship was so spot on
Thank you for putting out this video. I usually don’t comment on videos, but this one left me scratching my head. As soon as I saw it pop up I just had to click on it. I grew up reading James and the giant peach and any Roald Dahl books I could get my hands on. From a young age they were some of my favorite books. Yes, some of the topics could be dark and maybe a bit controversial, I guess. But I was never offended. I think people need to give children more credit. Thank you for not being afraid to speak up about the absurdity.
Lol
When """ALL""" you have is a hammer, everything looks like a nail. Lol
Wow. I had missed this story. I am 61, love your content. I am a member of Mensa and history is one of hobbies. Just met u today. Very familiar with myths but u often actually beefed up my memories.🎉
My mom really loves these books, I've grown with them and learned a lot from them, books like those and some others that made part of my childhood help me go through a lot of hardships, and to see them being thorn like that it just... Really hurts me a lot, just like John said, it's about teaching you to go through the journey that is life, not to pretend there is no hardship and causing children to slip even harder afterwards
I've always had vague memories of watching the movie. It's nice to know it wasn't just a fever dream like Flushed Away
Everything Jon says 28:35 onward is FACTS! People like Ben Shapiro wish they could form arguments and conjure evidence as smoothly as this guy! Censorship weakens us all in the end and we won’t know our vulnerabilities unless we too know our strength.
34:00 and beyond you made a genuine new fan. The rest of the video is great too but you hit the nail on the head with the censorship.
just found this channel. Well done dude, don't be afraid to speak the truth! This was a childhood favorite of mine, since at an early age, its dark tone comforted me, having gone through a real life and not a life with nerfed corners.
Can’t wait for the messed up origins of coco melon turns out jj’s hair is blond and his mom and dad’s hair is brown.
Are you for real?
My whole life i thought his name was Ronald Dahl... His books narrated pivotal points of my childhood knowledge intake and imagination exploration. 😂
It's actually pronounced R-old as in ......it rolled down the hill.....just an observation.......I bloody love this series 👏
I did too! I thought I was the only one! 🤣
@Louis-si4ci I was looking for this, thank you! I love the series too.
I resonated with this book & movie so much when I was a kid because … James and I were both abused and treated this way by our terrible aunts 😅
The aunt with the dainty toes, played a partner in a BBC special called The Little Princess. Seeing her in this, is absolutely shocking as it shows now that I can compare, how well an actor she is. Not to be confused for the Shirley temple movie of same name. The six hour movie is beautifuly done. It's about a little girl who is made destitute when her father dies, and is turned from pupil to slave. No matter how horrible she's treated, she always keeps a positive view. Watched it so many times, and it still brings me to tears.
I was an adult when I saw James and the Giant Peach as an animated film. I cannot tell you how horrified I was by that film I couldn't believe that they were showing that to children. That would have given me nightmares as a child.
I think that one thing these "sensitivity readers" forget is reading is often a choice and often if a child is uncomfortable with a book, they will just put it down. A lot of kids know what they can handle. I know when I first picked up James and the Giant Peach I was so sad about how his aunts treated him that I put it down and came back to it when I was older.
I read The Shining in elementary school. Let's just say I never finished it lol
Rials Dahl was and always will be one of my favored authors. You did a BEAUTIFUL job with his story. It’s always been one of my favorites. He’s so creative and whimsical.
I seriously hate censorship like that. I can understand removing anything such as racism, homophobia, xenophobia, etc. (unless making a point to show how stupid it all is and anyone who thinks that way and how it is best to treat everyone with kindness and care), but censoring a story like this makes no sense whatsoever. I hope to purchase the full story sometime soon before idiots get their hands on it again. Excellent video! Keep up the great work!
I wouldn't even censor those things. The definition of those terms is just too nebulous, and changes depending on what side of the political aisle you're on.
@@amandastjohn4735 Treating humans with respect is not a political issue. It is the right thing to do. It hurts no one to care about a person who isn't harming anyone, doesn't matter their sexuality, skin tone, beliefs, etc. People with bad intentions or who don't want to learn how to treat others as they would want to be treated just make excuses to be cruel.
@@jessepatterson1909 No need for name-calling. Not everything needs to be censored. That should be obvious when it comes to teaching critical thinking such as with similarities and differences, problems and solutions, as long as it harms no one. When it comes to the intentional harming of people, it's bad. That's a fact, not a subjective concept. Emotions just complicate everything.
@@jessepatterson1909 I completely agree. It has been part of human culture for so so long that it's pathetic and society in the Western world has had an influence on me. Yet, there are a majority of people from all over the world, east, west, north, south, and everywhere in between, who understand, harm is not good. That's why there is what's called the universal truth. Harm none. Whether religious or not. Not sure if I consider myself morally superior. 🤔 Maybe I do, but science is what I prefer to base everything on. And, in my opinion 😉, I hope we have evolved past our species' immaturity when it comes to harming each other or that we do in the near future. 😊 We don't need to dismiss anything each other says, just learn from it.
Your ending rant on censorship was brilliant.
Jon, you are so insightful and explain the value of Dahl's works for children so eloquently. I am a children's librarian, so obviously I am against censorship and you have a gift for explaining just how important it is to allow children to experience negative things in safe spaces (like literature) in order to learn how to cope with them in life. Bravo to you, sir and keep up the good work!!!
I like to play devil’s advocate, so I will do so now:
I think it was extremely wise for them to keep the original and sell the censored version at the same time; many parents have different views, but the story is inspiring and it would be sad if children were not able to hear them due to their parents’ concern for different controversial topics being in the books. At least for that reason, I cannot fault them for censoring.
I also understand the need for gender neutrality when it comes to professional titles (police, fire, etc.). I imagine it would be a bit confusing for a child who’s mother is a police officer to see that the strong policemen were the ones to faint, but no mention is made of the women.
As far as the mentions of fatness… the only redeeming thing I can say is that excessively pointing out the characteristics of fat people can most certainly teach kids that this is also something they should focus on and make comments about. It seems to be mentioned in a negative light most of the time, so that could inspire the same thoughts in impressionable minds.
ADVOCACY OVER:
HE SAID DON’T TOUCH IT SO DON’T TOUCH IT.
I say this as an African-American, overweight woman. If he said don’t mess with his work, leave it as the time piece that it is! Does that mean it will sell less? YES. But you got to make a movie that fit your liking so why mess with the original work??
One reason: money. And I will never, EVER support censorship for the sake of more money.
Just discovered this channel and I had to instantly subscribe and like this video. I really appreciate hearing someone stand up for Dahl's writing instead of just letting his words be lost to time because the censors don't want people's feelings to possibly get hurt.
I know this may be off topic but 10 years ago when I was being bullied and isolated at school, my grandparents bought me a book named Matilda. Roal Dahl's writing is amazing, I am so truly thankful I had that book at that time.
First video. Subscribed :). You did a great job! Thank you!
I 100% agree with your outlook on the censorship and changing of the author’s work. Thank you for communicating it so well, it made me feel less alone in my own way of thinking about these subjects.
I've suggested Jon do a ranking list of Hellhounds for a Halloween episode a few times, and the puppers can even be dressed up as different Hellhounds so they can be on theme for the video and possibly play a part in the video as well.
On another note, last year, I became aware of a mythological creature called the Aralez. The Aralez is a creature from Armenian mythology that is described as a winged dog-like creature that descends from the heavens to revive heroes by licking their wounds. Now, I'm not aware of any publically available stories that feature the creatures; they seem to be pretty obscure on the world stage, but I would love to see them make appearances in the Fantasy space, and various popular media.
The way the Aralez is described kind of makes it sound like a Reverse Hellhound, which is kind of interesting when you think about it. There are dozens upon dozens of variations of Hellhounds all over the world, the most well-known being the monsters find D&D and Pathfinder and the ones that have made an appearance in Helluva Boss (and will probably show up at some point in Hazbin Hotel), but there don't seem to be any real variations of the Aralez outside of Armenian mythology and culture.
Honestly, I grew up with all the childrens stories uncensored (including the stories of the grimm brothers) and I live a normal live. At this point I need to mention, that I was never skinny in my whole live and I never felt offended by a childrensbook.
I think you are right that too much sugar coating isn't going to do the children any favours.
I have a curiosity question that this channel could possibly cover in a future episode involving dragons. Which came first, benevolent dragons, or malicious dragons?
Great question! I touch on this a bit in my episode called "The Messed Up Origins of Dragons." If we're talking about Western culture exclusively then malicious dragons were definitely first, but you mean Eastern vs Western then I'd have to do some more research on the age of the written records describing them.
I certainly would hope more people saw The Flight of Dragons or read the book. It's now more relevant than ever since the 12th of May this year.
On that note there's already pretty good videos by chromalore and Dominic Noble about The Last Unicorn, by the same studio, which nowadays is known better by the name given by its later owner Hayao miyazaki.
I remember seeing the Flight of Dragons as a kid, the opening song stick with me along with the debate of Magic vs Science
I'd like to see an episode from both creators about it, maybe even a collaboration
Our teacher read this to us in third grade - 1991. Loved it.
dude took a shot for my heart with that your momma joke🤣😂
My favourite book as a kid was George's Marvellous Medicine. My mum was constantly reminding me that i could make as many crazy mixtures as i wanted as long as i never touched anything in the actual medicine cupboard or under the sink and i never drank my potion. 😂
I love James and the giant peach (the movie) so much. I’ve never had a chance to read the book. But if I had to buy it I would prefer the original as it’s the author’s words.
I remember seeing the nostalgia critic review this movie a long time ago and i loved the comment he made of one of the aunts
She looks like the crypt keeper wearing make-up
I grown up in the foster care system James and the Giant Peach was almost that my dream life would’ve been.Even through I have that now with alot of friends but big family that makes me feel worth living.I can’t wait to see more
AHHHH that's my birthday for the trip, dang if I wasn't broke and a stay at home mom, I would go! haha I am so glad this channel was in my suggestions this morning. I love these type of breakdowns. You're awesome Solo.
the grasshopper one is very accurate, im from mexico and in certain places you can even find people that sell them in bags as if they were chips to eat, i can only imagine they linked that with that stuff of Chinese people eating dogs but this is much more close to something like a sheep making a joke about getting their stomach open and filled with guts and more and being eaten by a german
I am a retired teacher. These books are good for kids. I'm am sure the same sensitivity editors have no problem exposing kids to the crap our culture exposes them to
Yep, five hundred pound drag queens twerking three inches from a nine year old's nose. LOL.
It was an elementary school teacher who read them to my class as a kid, and I'm forever grateful, given the horrifying child abuse I was suffering - Matilda and James both suffered like I did, and their stories gave me so much hope. Thank you for agreeing - and no doubt also sharing these with kids.
I love books, and the thing about reading an older books is that they're a capsule of the author and society at the time they were written. If you censor them for "modern sensibilities" you deny that the world has ever changed in any way. More so when you do that with children's books since that's a chance to have a conversation with children about how things have changed for both good and bad.
My dad grew up with Dahl, i played with Sophie as a toddler, its really interesting seeing a younger gen critique these books when i knew a lot of the people the characters are based on.