From a Polynesian word meaning 'prohibition', a taboo is a social more that should not be broken by society's participants, for doing so can mean punishment. This volume discusses the role of the taboo in ""Howl"", ""Lolita"", ""Lord of the Flies"", ""The Miller's Tale"", and many more works. Featuring original essays and excerpts from previously published critical analyses, each book in the new Bloom's ""Literary Themes"" series gives students valuable insight into the title's subject theme.