Bowdlerization is the act of removing or altering parts of a text, play, film, or piece of art that are considered offensive, obscene, or otherwise objectionable. This often involves removing sexually explicit content, profanity, or elements that challenge societal norms. The aim is usually to make the work more suitable for a wider audience, often a family-friendly one. It is derived from Thomas Bowdler, who published a sanitized version of Shakespeare's works in the 19th century.
Bowdlerization meaning with examples
- The studio’s decision to bowdlerize the script of the action movie was heavily criticized by fans who felt it watered down the gritty realism and violence. The original ending was deemed too dark and violent, leading to the addition of a new, less graphic, closing scene to appeal to a broader demographic and secure a PG-13 rating.
- When adapting the novel for children, the editor employed significant Bowdlerization, excising mature themes and graphic descriptions. This was done to align the story with a younger audience's sensibilities and protect them from sensitive subjects. Many readers found the sanitized story to be a much diluted version of the original book.
- The theatre company faced controversy over its plans to bowdlerize a classic play, removing certain dialogues. The removal of the dialogue was justified by a goal to reach a wider audience while others considered it a betrayal of the playwright's original intent. Some viewers argued that this diminished the play's artistic and social impact.
- Historical documents were subject to Bowdlerization, as parts considered politically sensitive or potentially damaging to public image were removed before publication. The censored documents are less authentic. Some historians have been struggling to recover the unedited versions to better understand the context of those times.
Bowdlerization Synonyms
censorship decontamination expurgation purification sanitization sterilization tampering whitewashingBowdlerization Antonyms
complete raw unbowdlerized uncensored unexpurgated unfilteredBowdlerization Crossword Answers
14 Letters
BOWDLERISATION