COMSTOCKERY Meaning and
Definition
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Comstockery is a term derived from the name of Anthony Comstock, an American social reformer of the late 19th and early 20th centuries, and it refers to the strict, moralistic censorship and suppression of obscenity deemed indecent or offensive by conservative standards. The term specifically relates to the extreme measures undertaken to enforce laws against obscenity, particularly in literature, art, and other forms of media.
Comstockery is characterized by a puritanical and prudish approach to public morality, often linked to religious conservatism. It involves the imposition of rigid standards of behavior and a zealous crusade against anything considered lewd, salacious, or obscene. Comstockery seeks to control and sanitize public spaces, promoting a homogenous cultural ethos that conforms to its own moral framework.
The main objective of comstockery is to eradicate any content perceived as decadent or corrupting, often resulting in the suppression of artistic and intellectual freedom. It typically takes the form of censorship, moral outrage, and the promotion of moral panic, aiming to curtail more liberal and open-minded expressions of sexuality and culture. Comstockery is associated with the condemnation and prohibition of materials believed to be sexually explicit, including books, films, art, or even contraceptives.
This term is commonly used as a derogatory expression to criticize and challenge repressive or narrow-minded attitudes towards individual freedom of expression. It highlights attempts to restrict personal autonomy and control the dissemination of ideas and information, reflecting a struggle between traditional and modern values. In contemporary usage, comstockery represents an oppressive force committed to impeding the progress of ideas and the free expression of human creativity.
Common Misspellings for COMSTOCKERY
- xomstockery
- vomstockery
- fomstockery
- domstockery
- cimstockery
- ckmstockery
- clmstockery
- cpmstockery
- c0mstockery
- c9mstockery
- constockery
- cokstockery
- cojstockery
- comatockery
- comztockery
- comxtockery
- comdtockery
- cometockery
- comwtockery
Etymology of COMSTOCKERY
The word "comstockery" is derived from the name of Anthony Comstock, an infamous American social reformer and moral zealot of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Anthony Comstock was instrumental in the creation of the Comstock Act, a federal law passed in 1873 targeting the distribution and promotion of obscene materials. The law was primarily aimed at preventing the mailing of materials perceived as sexually explicit or morally corrupt. As Comstock was known for his extreme and puritanical views, the term "comstockery" emerged as a derogatory term to criticize and mock his fanatical stance on issues of morality and censorship. Over time, "comstockery" has come to represent any kind of exaggerated or unreasonable opposition to perceived immorality or obscenity.
Similar spelling words for COMSTOCKERY
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