BOWDLERIZATIONS Meaning and
Definition
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Bowdlerizations refer to the act of modifying or censoring a literary work by removing or altering material that is deemed inappropriate, offensive, or controversial. The term derives from Thomas Bowdler, an English physician and editor, who in the early 19th century published a heavily expurgated edition of William Shakespeare's plays. This edition, known as "The Family Shakespeare," was designed to be suitable for reading by women and children, with any content deemed immoral or indecent removed or rephrased.
Bowdlerizations typically involve removing or sanitizing elements of a text that may be considered vulgar, offensive, sexually explicit, or risqué by the prevailing moral or cultural standards. This can include cutting or altering scenes, dialogues, or descriptions that touch on sensitive topics such as sexuality, violence, religion, or politics. Bowdlerized versions of classic works have historically been created to make them more suitable for the consumption of younger audiences or to conform to prevailing societal norms.
However, bowdlerizations are often criticized for their tendency to interfere with the artistic integrity and original intent of the author. Critics argue that such modifications may not only dilute the impact and meaning of the work but also limit readers' exposure to complex or controversial ideas and limit their ability to engage with the text on a deeper level.
In summary, bowdlerizations refer to the editing or censoring of a literary work to remove or alter elements that may be considered offensive or inappropriate, often resulting in significant changes to the original text and the potential loss of its artistic integrity.
Common Misspellings for BOWDLERIZATIONS
- bowdlerisation
- boudlerization
- vowdlerizations
- nowdlerizations
- howdlerizations
- gowdlerizations
- biwdlerizations
- bkwdlerizations
- blwdlerizations
- bpwdlerizations
- b0wdlerizations
- b9wdlerizations
- boqdlerizations
- boadlerizations
- bosdlerizations
- boedlerizations
- bo3dlerizations
- bo2dlerizations
- bowslerizations
- bowxlerizations
- Bawdlerizations
Etymology of BOWDLERIZATIONS
The word "bowdlerizations" is derived from the name of English doctor, Thomas Bowdler (1754-1825), who was known for his heavily edited and censored versions of literary works. Dr. Bowdler believed that literature should be made more suitable and appropriate for family reading by removing or altering any content that he considered offensive or immoral. These edited versions of various works became popular, and over time the term "bowdlerize" came to mean the act of censoring, expurgating, or sanitizing literary material. Consequently, "bowdlerizations" refers to the edited or censored versions of literary works that have been altered or modified in this manner.
