bowdlerism
Noun: 1. The practice of removing or modifying parts of a text considered vulgar or offensive: Bowdlerism refers to the act of censoring a written work, often a classic piece of literature, by deleting words, passages, or scenes deemed improper, indecent, or politically sensitive. It is a form of prudish expurgation intended to make the material "suitable" for a broader or more sensitive audience.
The term is used to describe a specific, often criticized, form of censorship. It carries a negative connotation, implying that the censorship is excessive, puritanical, and damages the integrity of the original work. * It is typically used in discussions about literature, art, media, and freedom of expression. * It functions as a countable noun (e.g., "a bowdlerism," "several bowdlerisms") or an uncountable concept (e.g., "an act of bowdlerism").
- The bowdlerism of Shakespeare's plays in the 19th century removed all sexual innuendo, altering the Bard's original intent.
- Modern editions of classic novels often reverse the bowdlerism performed by earlier editors, restoring the original text.
- Critics accused the publisher of bowdlerism for sanitizing the controversial memoir to avoid offending readers.
- The term originates from Thomas Bowdler, who published an expurgated edition of Shakespeare's works in 1818 titled , from which, he stated, "nothing is added to the original text; but those words and expressions are omitted which cannot with propriety be read aloud in a family."
- Bowdlerism is often discussed in contrast to editorial revision or adaptation. The key distinction is the motive: bowdlerism is driven primarily by a desire to enforce moral or social propriety, rather than artistic, stylistic, or clarity concerns.
- Bowdlerize (verb): To remove material considered vulgar or objectionable from a text.
- Example: They decided to bowdlerize the old fairy tale for the children's television show.
- Bowdlerization (noun): The act or result of bowdlerizing.
- Example: This edition is a bowdlerization of the author's original manuscript.
- Expurgation: The act of removing objectionable material.
- Censorship: The suppression or prohibition of speech or writing.
- Sanitization: Making something acceptable by removing unpleasant or offensive elements.
- Purification (in this context): The act of removing impure or improper elements.
- Uncensored: Not having had any part removed or suppressed.
- Unabridged: Complete and containing the original material; not shortened.
- Unexpurgated: Not having had objectionable content removed.
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censorship in the form of prudish expurgation
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