# Roald Dahl was anti-semitic? Who knew? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [December 7, 2020, 4:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/roald-dahl-was-anti-semitic-who-knew/927485 "2020-12-07T16:38:28Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 6
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2023, 2:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/roald-dahl-was-anti-semitic-who-knew/927485/101 "2023-02-24T14:25:34Z")
> [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](#): > > (I think there was some Pennywise reference in something she read, I can’t remember). King does mention the sewer clown in other works. I know it makes a brief appearance in _The Tommyknockers_ but isn’t named there. ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2023, 2:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/roald-dahl-was-anti-semitic-who-knew/927485/102 "2023-02-24T14:31:17Z")
> [@Slow\_Moving\_Vehicle](#): > > > [@Thing.Fish](#): > > > > Well, they “needed” to have sex in order to, um, focus their mystical energies or something in order to find their way out of the dark labyrinth they were trapped in. Or maybe that’s just what they told their parents… > > Sorry to continue the SPFIPTSGB hijack, but I thought I remembered - and it’s been decades since I read the book - that the kids thought Pennywise only targeted virgins, so they made the logical leap? - [From here.](https://screenrant.com/stephen-king-it-beverly-sewer-scene-meaning-explained/) > The controversial sewer scene in the original _IT_ wasn’t random: in the book, Beverly realized that they were not going to find the exit without being unified, as they had been before [weakening and defeating Pennywise](https://screenrant.com/stephen-king-it-secret-foreshadowing-pennywise-sequel-weakness-explained/), and the only way she could find to rebuild that bond between them was by having sex with each of her friends. Of course, such a scene involving underage characters was extremely controversial and has been left out of all adaptations, but it has a meaning that goes beyond the act itself. > > In 2013, Stephen King (through his office manager Marsha DeFillipo) shared on the [message board of his official site](https://stephenking.com/xf/index.php?threads/steves-explanation-for-losers-sex-scene.444/) what the controversial scene in the sewers represents, and begins by explaining that, at the time, he wasn’t thinking of the sexual aspect of it. Instead, he wrote it as the connecting link between childhood and adulthood, [as the Losers Club](https://screenrant.com/it-losers-club-appearances-stephen-king-books/) knew they had to be together again, and described it as “_another version of the glass tunnel that connects the children’s library and the adult library._” King added that he’s aware that, with time, there has been more sensitivity and attention to issues like the underage sex depicted in _IT_’s sewer scene. ---
**Author:** ![Stephe96](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/bbe5ce/32.png) [@Stephe96](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stephe96)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2023, 2:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/roald-dahl-was-anti-semitic-who-knew/927485/103 "2023-02-24T14:31:45Z")
Update: > **[Penguin to publish 'classic' Roald Dahl books after backlash](https://apnews.com/article/books-and-literature-childrens-entertainment-roald-dahl-business-9770a7a3a2cb50cb1d53ca82d4b26070?taid=63f8bbfaf450b9000166320e&utm_campaign=TrueAnthem&utm_medium=AP&utm_source=Twitter)** > > LONDON (AP) — Publisher Penguin Random House announced Friday it will publish “classic” unexpurgated versions of Roald Dahl’s children’s novels after it received criticism for cuts and rewrites that were intended to make the books suitable for... ---
**Author:** ![Chingon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chingon/32/17645_2.png) [@Chingon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chingon)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2023, 2:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/roald-dahl-was-anti-semitic-who-knew/927485/104 "2023-02-24T14:44:04Z")
The worldwide nightmare is over. ---
**Author:** ![ctnguy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/6de8d8/32.png) [@ctnguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ctnguy)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2023, 2:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/roald-dahl-was-anti-semitic-who-knew/927485/105 "2023-02-24T14:48:17Z")
It seems to me rather likely that this was Penguin’s plan all along. Stir up a lot of public controversy about the bowdlerized versions, then come out with these “classic” editions which a lot of people will now go out and buy. ---
**Author:** ![Q.Q.Switcheroo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/q.q.switcheroo/32/5713_2.png) [@Q.Q.Switcheroo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Q.Q.Switcheroo)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2023, 2:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/roald-dahl-was-anti-semitic-who-knew/927485/106 "2023-02-24T14:58:30Z")
So shines a good deed in a weary world. ---
**Author:** ![Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/left_hand_of_dorkness/32/7156_2.png) [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2023, 2:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/roald-dahl-was-anti-semitic-who-knew/927485/107 "2023-02-24T14:59:18Z")
> [@ctnguy](#): > > It seems to me rather likely that this was Penguin’s plan all along. Stir up a lot of public controversy about the bowdlerized versions, then come out with these “classic” editions which a lot of people will now go out and buy. You have a lot more faith in corporate savviness than I do. Never attribute to 5d chess what can adequately be explained by cupidity. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/the_other_waldo_pepper/32/12370_2.png) [@The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Other_Waldo_Pepper)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2023, 3:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/roald-dahl-was-anti-semitic-who-knew/927485/108 "2023-02-24T15:09:28Z")
For some reason, it feels like the word “agile” should get mentioned about now. ---
**Author:** ![Love\_Rhombus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/love_rhombus/32/10694_2.png) [@Love\_Rhombus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Love_Rhombus)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2023, 3:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/roald-dahl-was-anti-semitic-who-knew/927485/109 "2023-02-24T15:31:15Z")
> [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](#): > > My 14yo daughter was asking about _It_ recently (I think there was some Pennywise reference in something she read, I can’t remember). We talk books all the time, and I was like, “Oh, _It_ is so good! Except…yikes, okay, I can’t really recommend this to you.” I explained why, and she noped out of that book. I’d almost say “Hold off on this one until you’re older” because it’s so good. But you’re ok with her reading about the graphic mutilation and murder, as well as the kids masturbating? (I’m 95% teasing, and 10% curious so feel free to skip this question). ---
**Author:** ![Darren\_Garrison](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/darren_garrison/32/92_2.png) [@Darren\_Garrison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darren_Garrison)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2023, 5:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/roald-dahl-was-anti-semitic-who-knew/927485/110 "2023-02-24T17:50:55Z")
Even the queen. (Not just a Connie Willis story!) > **[Camilla forces U-turn in Roald Dahl censorship row](https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/books/news/roald-dahl-puffin-censored-original-camilla-b2288880.html)** > > Puffin publishers will now allow words like ‘fat’ and ‘horse-faced’ after Queen Consort let it be known that she disproved of edits to the late children’s authors works ---
**Author:** ![Larry\_Borgia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/larry_borgia/32/156_2.png) [@Larry\_Borgia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Larry_Borgia)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2023, 6:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/roald-dahl-was-anti-semitic-who-knew/927485/111 "2023-02-24T18:22:38Z")
Well, I guess there were more of me. Including the Queen of England! ---
**Author:** ![Darren\_Garrison](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/darren_garrison/32/92_2.png) [@Darren\_Garrison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darren_Garrison)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2023, 6:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/roald-dahl-was-anti-semitic-who-knew/927485/112 "2023-02-24T18:31:16Z")
And pretty much everyone. > **[Opinion: Taking 'fat' out of Roald Dahl makes no sense | CNN](https://www.cnn.com/2023/02/21/opinions/roald-dahl-revisions-reinforce-prejudice-thomas-ctrp/index.html)** > > Like all literature, Roald Dahl's work is a product of its time, but its modern refurbishment has only served to prove that today's writers and editors are every bit as fallible as those of the past, writes Holly Thomas. > **[I’ve Read Roald Dahl to Kids for Years. There Is a Simple Answer to This...](https://slate.com/culture/2023/02/roald-dahl-censorship-book-editing-controversy.html)** > > The BFG isn't a BFD. ---
**Author:** ![Q.Q.Switcheroo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/q.q.switcheroo/32/5713_2.png) [@Q.Q.Switcheroo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Q.Q.Switcheroo)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2023, 6:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/roald-dahl-was-anti-semitic-who-knew/927485/113 "2023-02-24T18:42:02Z")
Side-by-side pieces in McSweeney’s: > **[Fuck You, You Fat-Headed Roald Dahl-Censoring Fuckers](https://www.mcsweeneys.net/articles/fuck-you-you-fat-headed-roald-dahl-censoring-fuckers)** > > “New editions of \[Roald Dahl’s\] children’s classics, including ‘Charlie and the Chocolate Factory,’ have been altered to eliminate words deemed ina... > **[Don’t Worry, We Didn’t Remove the Part Where James Has Sex With the Giant Peach](https://www.mcsweeneys.net/articles/dont-worry-we-didnt-remove-the-part-where-james-has-sex-with-the-giant-peach)** > > “The news that changes have been made to the works of best-selling children’s author Roald Dahl has been met with anger from leading writers, incl... ---
**Author:** ![Kimstu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ecd19e/32.png) [@Kimstu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kimstu)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2023, 6:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/roald-dahl-was-anti-semitic-who-knew/927485/114 "2023-02-24T18:42:54Z")
> [@Larry\_Borgia](#): > > Well, I guess there were more of me. Which is also perfectly fine. Rights holders for deceased authors’ works don’t have to publish “updated” revised editions of the works if they won’t sell well, either. I just want to make sure we’re all on the same page (heh) regarding what it is that rights holders are and aren’t allowed to do with a dead author’s works, and to quash the mistaken impression that it’s somehow “dishonest” or fraudulent for rights holders to publish “updated” revised editions at all. ---
**Author:** ![Larry\_Borgia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/larry_borgia/32/156_2.png) [@Larry\_Borgia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Larry_Borgia)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2023, 7:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/roald-dahl-was-anti-semitic-who-knew/927485/115 "2023-02-24T19:13:51Z")
I get that rights holders are legally allowed to alter a writers words. I just think it’s the wrong thing to do. ---
**Author:** ![Kimstu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ecd19e/32.png) [@Kimstu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kimstu)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2023, 7:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/roald-dahl-was-anti-semitic-who-knew/927485/116 "2023-02-24T19:20:16Z")
I disagree. I think what would be actually a “wrong thing to do” would be banning original editions of dead authors’ works, or fraudulently misrepresenting a revised edition as an original edition. But I don’t think there’s anything wrong with the basic principle that somebody who owns the legal rights to a publication can issue revised versions of it. If an author doesn’t want to allow that, then they can do the testamentary due diligence required to prevent it. ---
**Author:** ![Larry\_Borgia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/larry_borgia/32/156_2.png) [@Larry\_Borgia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Larry_Borgia)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2023, 7:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/roald-dahl-was-anti-semitic-who-knew/927485/117 "2023-02-24T19:28:39Z")
Well I don’t think we’re going to convince each other. If Im going to read Dahl, I want to read Dahl, not some talentless hack. And even an army of hacks won’t change the fact that I’ll be reading a book wtitten by a virulent antisemite. ---
**Author:** ![Kimstu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ecd19e/32.png) [@Kimstu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kimstu)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2023, 7:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/roald-dahl-was-anti-semitic-who-knew/927485/118 "2023-02-24T19:34:13Z")
> [@Larry\_Borgia](#): > > If Im going to read Dahl, I want to read Dahl, not some talentless hack. And I absolutely support your right to access original editions of Dahl’s works in some form or other from some source or other. I just don’t agree with you that the rights holders to Dahl’s works are under any moral obligation to guarantee that all new editions of Dahl’s works will be identical to the original versions you want. ---
**Author:** ![Dr\_Paprika](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr_paprika/32/3042_2.png) [@Dr\_Paprika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr_Paprika)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2023, 11:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/roald-dahl-was-anti-semitic-who-knew/927485/119 "2023-02-24T23:02:20Z")
Augustus Gloop was shamed and called a nincompoop for his alleged greed and gluttony much more than his girth. In real life, people should be accorded basic dignity and respect. This is fostered by teaching and modelling values in real life. Fictional stories often deviate from these principles. It may actually be unwise to build houses out of candy or straw, follow trails of breadcrumbs, take advantage of the hospitality of bears, wear glass slippers or chitter-chat with wolves. But it is not necessary to reduce every story to sanctimonious preaching. If something is obviously offensive, the publisher should ask the author to remove it, as happened with the original Oompa-Loompas. If this occurs later, I’m not against estates making changes to things which are obviously offensive, but these should be minimized when possible. I don’t feel strongly about Dahl but the changes seem amateurish and of questionable relevance. Where does it end? Mardi Gras should be renamed to “March Holiday” because it translates to “Fat Tuesday”? Alter expressions to read “the fuel is in the fire” or “Jack Spratt preferred a diet low in triglycerides”? Censure comedians like Fluffy, Jim Gaffigan or John Pinette who make fun of buffets and Hot Pockets? These things are not what fuel intolerance. What values children are taught and how they are modelled by parents in real life are often what fuel intolerance. Be a parent and do not subcontract this job out to books that are generations old. ---
**Author:** ![Chingon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chingon/32/17645_2.png) [@Chingon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chingon)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2023, 11:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/roald-dahl-was-anti-semitic-who-knew/927485/120 "2023-02-24T23:09:00Z")
> [@Dr\_Paprika](#): > > Where does it end? Mardi Gras should be renamed to “March Holiday” because it translates to “Fat Tuesday”? Alter expressions to read “the fuel is in the fire” or “Jack Spratt preferred a diet lie in triglycerides”? Censure comedians like Fluffy, Jim Gaffigan or John Pinnette who make fun of buffets and Hot Pockets? Trust me, you can call it Fat Tuesday. You can imagine extreme examples to scare yourself and get those hits of adrenaline all day if you must. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/roald-dahl-was-anti-semitic-who-knew/927485.md?page=5) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/roald-dahl-was-anti-semitic-who-knew/927485.md?page=7)