Paige Robson
Roald Dahl – one of the greatest children’s storytellers of the 20th century – has been faced with recent criticism. As a result, many of his works are being rewritten.
The Buckinghamshire-based author, poet, and wartime fighter ace has been the subject of debate after many unfashionable flaws were highlighted throughout his oeuvre of work, which consists of 49 books spanning nearly 50 years. Before the rewrite, he had already sold 300 million copies.
Past and Present Controversies
This isn’t the first time the author has hit the headlines for the wrong reasons. Back in 2020, the writer’s family released a public but quiet apology, recognizing the “lasting and understandable hurt caused by some of Roald Dahl’s statements” after many anti-Semitic opinions surfaced.
“the decision to edit Roald Dahl’s books to suit 21st century sensibilities has created conflict”
The decision to edit Roald Dahl’s books to suit 21st-century sensibilities has created conflict. On one hand, many believe that ‘words matter’, especially to the young audience. They feel there is ultimately a responsibility on children’s literature to promote kindness and diversity to the next generation. Others believe that too much modification will slowly but surely diminish the true intentions of the author, and undermine the genius of the original story created.
The Right To Change?
“the wording would cause more harm than good without sacrificing the plot”
The publisher Puffin has stated: “When publishing new print runs of books written years ago, it’s not unusual to review the language used alongside updating other details including a book’s cover and page layout.” Therefore, if it is believed that the wording would cause more harm than good without sacrificing the plot, they are entitled to amend the language.
Adding on from this, the publication has partnered with Inclusive Minds, an organisation consisting of people who are passionate about inclusion and accessibility in children’s literature, which has likely amplified the scale of the editorial decisions made. Hundreds of words were changed or removed in at least 10 of his children’s books, including descriptions of characters’ appearances, races, and genders.
Critics feel is too much considering some of Dahl’s most popular books like Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Matilda, and James and the Giant Peach have already been translated into 68 languages and become household favourites around the globe.
Rewording Review
“changes had to be made regarding weight, race, gender, and physical descriptions of characters”
After the review, it was said that changes had to be made regarding weight, race, gender, physical descriptions of characters, and overall, any referencing of cultural sensitivities. However, fans of Dahl’s books celebrate his use of sometimes dark language that taps into the fears of children, as well as their sense of fun.
Impending amendments include characters no longer described as “fat” such as Charlie and the Chocolate Factory‘s Augustus Gloop – a glutton for chocolate – is now just “enormous” rather than “enormously fat”. In The Twits, rather than Mrs Twit being “ugly and beastly” she will be just “beastly”, showing the more respectful and less insulting physical descriptions of the characters.
The review has also highlighted the gender progression of the 21st century referring to “mothers” and “fathers” as “parents” or “family”. In The Enormous Crocodile, originally “we eat little boys and girls” is now being replaced with “we eat little children”. As well as making the Oompa Loompas of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory completely gender neutral, displaying the breakdown in the social construct of their being just female and male and showing a much truer representative of the openness and liberalness of the term gender. It will be interesting to see how these changes affect the stories once these alterations are made.
Roald Dahl’s Legacy
“many ideas about what is appropriate have changed since his books were first written”
It would be even more fascinating to see how Roald Dahl would have reacted to these modifications. He was once quoted as saying he knew what children liked and never got any protests from children. The author is said to have had fractious relationships with his editors and disliked anyone tampering with his work.
However, it should be noted Dahl was born in 1916 and died in 1990. Many ideas about what is appropriate have changed since his books were first written. His books may carry reminders of a time when there was less concern about people being insulted by the language in books.
It is significant that literature allows you to escape to new realities and fantasies and definitely shouldn’t create any negativity or ill opinions. But the author’s true intentions are showcased at the time of writing and over time, naturally, these may become outdated. The question is: at what point does this end?
Current Plan
In the latest editions of Roald Dahl’s books published by Puffin, a prudent yet purposeful note states “the wonderful words of Roald Dahl can transport you to different worlds and introduce you to the most marvellous characters. This book was written many years ago, and so we regularly review the language to ensure it can continue to be enjoyed by all today.”
This implies that the publishers’ intentions are to be true to the author, but it’s a matter of keeping up with the times.
Roald Dahl’s stories will still live on, regardless of the edits. In 2020, Netflix confirmed a deal with the Dahl company. This granted Netflix the rights to Dahl’s characters and worlds, allowing them to produce a new generation of films.
“the most important thing is that the stories continue to be enjoyed by all”
As well as this, the Roald Dahl Story company – who ultimately control the rights to the book alongside Puffin – have proposed an alternative to the edited editions. The plan is now to print two editions of the books, one which has been altered and one that is authentic. This ‘will “give readers – whether seven or 77 – the choice to explore the stories in whichever way they wish.’ The conclusion of allowing the option seems the fairest answer and conveys the true brilliance of storytelling genius Roald Dahl.
Featured image courtesy of Nick Fewings via Unsplash. Image license found here. No changes have been made to this image.
PaigeRobson
Paige is a Sports Editor for Empoword. She graduated with an English Literature degree last year and is gaining experience in the Journalism world before starting her NCTJ course early next year.