George Orwell’s 1984 has been a hot topic within the society of banned books, going all the way from country wide denial to country wide acceptance. This discussion will focus more on its presence on the nations’ scholastic list of banned books- a place it has frequented often, and avoided several times. Many argue that the book should not be taught in a high school curriculum, much less idolized as a classic, while others think that reading the book is an essential part of growing up due to its high literary value. While Orwell may hit a few soft points with his book, myself, and others as well, believe that 1984 should stay on the school reading list and be available to all willing students. Orwell makes some fine points throughout the book, but none so bold as his writing of the main character, Winston Smith. Winston is one of the few, maybe even the only, people to question the leadership qualities of Big Brother. Winston’s attitude towards his current ordeal in life teaches students about self-independence and the ability to hold…show more content… One point that these critics make is that the book may be depressing, even to the point of total despair. James Davis, a professional book critic, has a different view of the subject, stating, “The mood is despair only if readers do not heed the warning of what will happen if we continue our present course” (Davis, Web). Even Winston himself has some hinting of positivity with his situation, even in the later chapters where it is believed that he has given up the fight. “They don’t get inside you. If you can feel that staying human is worth-while, even when it can’t have any result whatsoever, you’ve beaten them” (Orwell, 166). This quote shows and encourages that one should always believe in oneself, and idea that is not slightly
