Ash Champlain

Dylan H

English 160

December 12, 2022

The Banning of Captain Underpants

Book banning is the practice of prohibiting or restricting the sale, distribution, or possession of certain books, often because they are considered offensive, immoral, or dangerous. One such book that has been banned in some places is Captain Underpants by Dav Pilkey. Captain Underpants is a popular children’s book series that follows the adventures of two fourth-grade pranksters named George and Harold, who use their comic book-making skills to bring their school principal’s alter ego, Captain Underpants, to life. The books are known for their humorous and irreverent tone, as well as their depiction of friendship and the power of imagination.

Despite its popularity, Captain Underpants has faced several challenges and bans in schools and libraries across the United States. The 12-part comic book series Captain Underpants, by Dav Pilkey, is one of the most banned books in America due to unethical reasoning. Some of the reasons cited for banning the book include its use of offensive language, its promotion of disruptive behavior amongst the youth, and nudity. Over the past few decades, the book Captain Underpants has been challenged by libraries and schools most in 2019. 

The series is for kids ages six to eight, but of course, it’s for anyone to read. ‘Offensive language has been the largest reason for challenging or even banning the book. There are supposedly humorous jokes with ‘offensive language’; mainly potty jokes and bad words such as calling their principal “that old guy” and “mean old Mr.Krupp.” There are countless examples of the two protagonists being mischievous and misbehaving as they are portrayed as pranksters within their school. In most of the books, some panels show Harold and George messing with a sign. One example specifically shows the two pranksters mixed the letters to say ‘Please go pee-pee on your socks for warmth’ instead of it saying ‘People please wear your socks on the gym floor.’ There is not a single page in any of the books that contain non-excusable language, especially language that allows kids to act out toward their parents to authority figures. 

All of the pranks played on Mr.Krupp, and all the bad names he gets called, are all a part of the humor Captain Underpants brings to the table. Half of the pranks can’t even be copied in real life. The villain of the story in Captain Underpants and the Perilous Plot of Professor Poopypants, Professor Poopypants, even changes his name to Tippy Tinkletrousers so civilians wouldn’t make fun of his name. He also gets sent to jail for his crimes against the city as well as Captain Underpants. This is a great lesson for kids that shows actions have consequences.

The biggest controversial reason that challenged the book was the two characters in a same-sex marriage. In 2019, Captain Underpants and the Sensational Saga of Sir Stinks-A-Lot featured a gay couple. The entire series during this time was challenged for encouraging disruptive behavior amongst children. At the end of the twelfth book, Captain Underpants and The Sensational Saga Sir Stinks-A-Lot, a few panels show Harold and George growing up, revealing Harold became an artist with a domestic partner named Billy. Arborwood Elementary School in Monroe, Michigan, decided the book was suitable for children between the ages of 2-4. This book is suitable for children ages 6-8- and can be read by anyone older of course- according to the parent-teacher organization, and if a kid wanted to purchase the book, the parent needed to be involved. There were different opinions from parents. “One parent, Sheridan Watkins, said: ‘I think this kind of age a parent should be involved with them because they’re so young that they maybe need to be explained what this is about.’” Another parent disagreed, “‘If you’re in this world, they should know about that regardless,’ she said.” Parents always have to decide everything for their children. Whether it be the books they read, what websites they use, or what their children leave the house with what clothes to wear.

In the comics, the hero only wears underwear. “In Chapter 17, captain underpants and slings his underwear at the evil dr. Diaper in an attempt to defeat him and then covers himself with a barrel.” There is no real nudity within the book unless the captain’s underpants’ chest counts. Other than that, when Captain Underpants is Mr.Krupp, he wears his school attire; brown pants with some shoes and a white button-up with a tie. When fighting the villains in the book, the hero only takes his underwear off in that instance, yet the cape stays on unless it’s useful to the situation or whichever monster villain he is battling.

According to complaints from parents and faculty of schools, there is “extremely graphic violence” within the book. Of course, there is ‘violence,’ yet it’s not realistic, real, or gore-y. The monsters and villains in the book are evil life-like creatures such as large toilets with arms, legs, and blasters, and are straight-up childish. There are no drugs, guns, sexual content, no graphic content, nothing you wouldn’t see in a Tom and Jerry episode. None of the books have blood in them, no real death is shown. All that’s displayed in the artwork are the silly comic cartoon fights between the childish characters. 

Ultimately, the decision to ban Captain Underpants shouldn’t be a decision chosen by parents, people who don’t even read the book. Banning the book outright may do more harm than good, as it can deprive children of the opportunity to explore important themes and ideas, and it can violate their fundamental rights to freedom of speech and expression. Giving kids something funny and pleasant to read is his big goal with Captain Underpants. He just wants to encourage others who don’t read to do so because reading has so many advantages, especially for children. Comics like Captain Underpants are supposed to be for children; easy-read books with pictures that include stupid humor or jokes that little kids can understand and laugh at, and allow kids to use the pictures to help their imagination. Kids should get to decide what books they want to read, not their parents and teachers.

 

 

Works Cited

  • “Why ‘Captain Underpants’ Is the Most Banned Book in America.” Business Insider, 26 Sept. 2013, www.businessinsider.com/why-captain-underpants-is-the-most-banned-book-in-America-2013-9?international=true&r=US&IR=T