Why is it that certain works of literature, in certain places and at certain times, are deemed by some readers to be so damaging that no one should be allowed to read them?
How do these attitudes change over time—what becomes less problematic with time, and what about these works might offend modern readers but wouldn’t have been problems for their original readers?
How do we deal with “cancel culture” when it comes to authors and texts, and is it possible to separate an author from his or her work?
How do we handle difficult texts, especially those that challenge our values and beliefs, or that present us with content that makes us uncomfortable?
How do we respond to books that we find offensive, troubling, or otherwise controversial?