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Forever (novel)
Encyclopedia
Forever... is a 1975
novel
by Judy Blume
dealing with teenage sexuality. Because of the novel's content it has been the frequent target of censors and appears on the American Library Association
list of the 100 Most Frequently Challenged Books of 1990–2000 at number seven.
When they do, by mutual consent, have sex on Michael's sister's bedroom floor, they are sure it seals a love that will be "forever." However, separated for the summer by work that takes them to two different states, Katherine finds herself aware of the limitations of the relationship and ultimately attracted to a tennis instructor, Theo, who is older and more experienced in life. She takes responsibility for breaking the news to Michael when he comes on a surprise visit, the summer she knew was over, and Katherine recognizes the loss as a stage in movement towards more complex, probably more satisfying relationships in the future.
Katherine and Michael discuss their feelings carefully before deciding to have sex; when they finally have it, they talk about it thoroughly and obtain contraception from a family planning clinic.
Judy Blume considers this book to have had one "odd and lasting side-effect of its popularity"; the decline in the popularity of the name Ralph. Throughout the book, Michael consistently refers to his penis as "Ralph", and the subsequent generation who grew up reading Forever seemed unwilling to consider it as a suitable name for their children. Blume responded to several concerned Ralphs with "I apologize to all of them. It's nothing personal."
1975 in literature
The year 1975 in literature involved some significant events and new books.-Events:* August 12 — with the 20-year time limit stipulated by Thomas Mann at his death having expired, sealed packets containing 32 of the author's notebooks were opened in Zurich, Switzerland.* Writing under the...
novel
Novel
A novel is a book of long narrative in literary prose. The genre has historical roots both in the fields of the medieval and early modern romance and in the tradition of the novella. The latter supplied the present generic term in the late 18th century....
by Judy Blume
Judy Blume
Judy Blume is an American author. She has written many novels for children and young adults which have exceeded sales of 80 million and been translated into 31 languages...
dealing with teenage sexuality. Because of the novel's content it has been the frequent target of censors and appears on the American Library Association
American Library Association
The American Library Association is a non-profit organization based in the United States that promotes libraries and library education internationally. It is the oldest and largest library association in the world, with more than 62,000 members....
list of the 100 Most Frequently Challenged Books of 1990–2000 at number seven.
Plot summary
Katherine, in the middle of her senior year in high school, finds herself strongly attracted to Michael, a boy she meets at a New Year's party. As their relationship unfolds, the issue of sex comes up early on, more as an emotional and health issue than as a moral one. Both of them are aware that physical intimacy is both common and complicated. Michael has been sexually active, Katherine hasn't. Their relationship progresses slowly; they are accompanied on various meetings by her friend, Erica, a realist, who has known Katherine since 9th grade and believes that sex is a physical act and not a romantic act. They are also joined by Michael's friend, Artie, who, with Erica's help, explores and acknowledges some uncertainty about his own sexuality.When they do, by mutual consent, have sex on Michael's sister's bedroom floor, they are sure it seals a love that will be "forever." However, separated for the summer by work that takes them to two different states, Katherine finds herself aware of the limitations of the relationship and ultimately attracted to a tennis instructor, Theo, who is older and more experienced in life. She takes responsibility for breaking the news to Michael when he comes on a surprise visit, the summer she knew was over, and Katherine recognizes the loss as a stage in movement towards more complex, probably more satisfying relationships in the future.
Major Characters
- Katherine Danziger - Protagonist of the book, and who the story is told through the eyes of. She is a senior in high school getting ready for college. She goes by Kath by everyone until she works at a camp over the summer, when others start calling her Kat.
- Michael Wagner - Boy who Katherine meets and falls in love with. He is a senior at another high school nearby.
- Sybil Davidson - Katherine's best friend who later gets pregnant when having loveless intercourse.
- Erica Small - Katherine's realist friend.
- Jamie Danziger - Katherine's little sister. She is proficient in music, art, and cooking. She is in the seventh grade and looks a lot like Kath.
- Roger Danziger - Katherine's father, a pharmacist who owns two drug stores.
- Diana Danziger (née Gross) - Katherine's mother, a librarian.
- Hallie Gross - Katherine's maternal grandmother, a lawyer and progressive liberal.
- Ivan Gross - Katherine's maternal grandfather, who had previously had a stroke, and would have another one later in the book which would claim his life.
- Artie - A boy who is friends with Katherine and Michael who has questions about his sexuality.
- Theo - An older boy who Katherine inadvertently falls for while working at a camp, which spells the end of her and Michael.
- David - A boy Jamie falls in love with.
Criticism and controversy
The book is often cited as controversial because of Blume's use of suggestive language, the detailed depiction of sexual intercourse, and because her character Katherine goes on the pill. Criticism of the novel often comes from sexual abstinence groups, as well as religious groups who consider the use of 'the pill' unsuitable for Blume's teenage audience.Katherine and Michael discuss their feelings carefully before deciding to have sex; when they finally have it, they talk about it thoroughly and obtain contraception from a family planning clinic.
Judy Blume considers this book to have had one "odd and lasting side-effect of its popularity"; the decline in the popularity of the name Ralph. Throughout the book, Michael consistently refers to his penis as "Ralph", and the subsequent generation who grew up reading Forever seemed unwilling to consider it as a suitable name for their children. Blume responded to several concerned Ralphs with "I apologize to all of them. It's nothing personal."