Rant About Literature Continued

Rant About Literature Continued

Review of Burned by Ellen Hopkins

In my previous blog about adolescent literature, I mentioned a series that begins with the book Crank by Ellen Hopkins. I mentioned that my opinion of this series was only based on discussions with teenagers who had read it. I decided that I needed to gain an educated opinion on this New York Times Bestseller series. I went to my local public library and asked the librarian about these books. She informed me that they are “hot items” right now among young people--in fact, I had to put the first book on hold because it was already checked out. I did, however, check out Burned.

On a literary level, Ellen Hopkins certainly has a gift for poetry. She switches back and forth between different poetic styles with ease. I understand the praise of her writing on this level. Beyond this, however, I highly recommend that students not read this book. On a preliminary note, the language in the book is terrible. I don’t now that it would be possible to keep a running tally of how many times the “f-bomb” occurs. Of even more significance, the book deals rather graphically and continuously with sexual content. Finally, the over-arching plot contains nothing of redemptive value.

Here is a basic plot summary. Pattyn is a teenage girl who has grown up in an abusive and hypocritical Mormon home. Mormonism throughout the book is depicted in a terrible light, and while I would certainly not advocate for Mormonism, tearing down any form of organized religion seems to be a trend in Hopkins’ books. (I have already started her book Tricks which begins by making a mockery of an Assembly of God congregation and its pastor.) Organized religion is blamed for the oppression and devaluation of women. Pattyn’s mom has only one purpose in life--to bear sons. Her father breaks about every Mormon rule of lifestyle as an alcoholic who beats his wife and children. The leaders at Pattyn’s Mormon congregation refuse to address the abuse in Pattyn’s home when they are clearly aware of it. Also, they refuse to answer any of Pattyn’s questions about God and life which sends her spiraling further away from religion.

The book is HIGHLY sexualized, beginning with stories of Pattyn’s “sex dreams” on account of which she fears God’s judgment. When Mormonism fails her, Pattyn dives full force into a “worldly” lifestyle, including in her physical relationship with a boy from school. Barely escaping the relationship with her virginity, Pattyn is “shipped off” to her aunt’s house in Nevada so her family can dismiss her problems for a summer while her mother carries a baby boy to term.

Pattyn’s aunt is cast as the only person in her life (other than her sister) who cares genuinely about her. However, her aunt is also jaded by religion and has developed her own religious worldview that generally proposes “God” as anything that feels good and brings happiness. Thus, Pattyn’s aunt has no problem with the relationship that quickly develops between Pattyn and Ethan, a college-aged guy who lives near the aunt’s homestead. This relationship could be viewed as statutory rape in a court of law. The book describes the illegal couple’s sex life in great detail.

After the summer ends, Pattyn must return home. The abuse at home continues to elevate, and Pattyn anticipates its climax when word gets out that she is pregnant. In a desperate attempt to escape, she asks Ethan to come kidnap her from school. Their plan is to run away together and marry after Pattyn turns eighteen. However, someone turns in the license plate on Ethan’s truck after he picks up Pattyn. In an attempt to run from the cops, Ethan crashes. Pattyn awakes in the hospital to the news that both Ethan and her unborn child are dead.

The book’s end left me in utter shock. The last three pages insinuate that Pattyn used the gun Ethan had given her to protect her from her father to kill everyone and anyone who had ever hurt her at whatever level during a Mormon church service. Then, she prepares to jump off a bridge and kill herself. The end.

Can anyone tell me how this book could be helpful in promoting life and health among our impressionable young people? Am I crazy for thinking maybe we should have a rating system for books just like we have one for movies and video games? I really wish I could do something to set that in motion--any ideas? Why is it not okay for a fifteen year old to watch porn videos but it is okay for them to read pornographic literature that encourages depression and suicide? Anyone disagree? I’d love to hear your thoughts!