UW-River Falls holds ‘Fahrenheit 451’ read aloud

RIVER FALLS – On Wednesday April 13 the University of Wisconsin-River Falls held a read aloud of Ray Bradbury’s “Fahrenheit 451” at the Chalmer Davee Library. The event was held from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. 

Volunteers would take turns reading the book in 20 minute shifts. The event had students and faculty read the book aloud cover to cover for eight hours.

Senior Taylor Kiel is majoring in professional writing and creative writing. She volunteered to read to raise awareness about banned books.

“I wanted to raise awareness about censorship,” Kiel said. “It is not good to ban books, it’s against our right of free speech.”

The event was organized by the university’s English department. Kiel, who is interning for the department, said planning for the event began in late Feb.

Mialisa Moline is the chair for the English department at UWRF. She said it was the first time the university hosted a banned book read aloud in 15 years.

Kiel said the book is a great example to read aloud because of its theme about banning books.

“Fahrenheit 451” was written during the McCarthy era where people were concerned about censorship. Set in the dystopian future, the plot centers around a fireman who destroys outlawed commodities, including books. 

Bradbury writes the novel as a showcase of what would happen if censorship continued to go too far. 

Since its publication the novel has been subject to censorship, book burnings and bans from schools. Moline said the actions of censorship from the book are ironic to the themes of the novel.

“The book has been redacted by people unaware or indifferent to censorship,” she said. “It’s inherently ironic.”

Moline said one goal of the event is to teach students to question why books are banned, noting books are banned by both sides of the political spectrum. A display case located in the Kleinpell Fine Arts building is showcasing popular banned books. The display was organized by Kiel as part of a project for her internship. 

Kiel said one effect of banning books leads to increased sales. She believes having a read aloud shows people why the book is not harmful. She said the book has no hurtful words or messages, proving her point about the ban the novel has faced.

English Professor Jon Shadden said he volunteered to read because he wanted to raise awareness about the novel being banned. He said the event is part of a goal from the department to promote banned books.

“Our students were shocked to see how many books around the world have been banned,” he said.

The first 50 attendants received a free copy of the novel. Shadden said the event was fun and was happy with the turnout. He said while the crowds were not large, it was consistent. 

“I’m glad to be here, I hope we can do something like this again in the future,” Shadden said. 

Kiel also hopes the department can hold a similar event in the future. She said right now nothing is planned.