Banned Book Profile: Nineteen Eighty-Four
Banned Books Week continues, and the latest in my series of books that, you might be surprised to learn, have been banned, challenged, or otherwise censured by groups or organizations since publication.
THE FACTS:
Title: Nineteen Eighty-Four
Author: George Orwell
First Published: June 8, 1949
Publisher: Secker and Warburg
Where/When/Why Banned or Challenged (sources cited):
- In 1950, the book was banned in the Soviet Union during Stalin’s dictatorship. The reason? You need to ask? It wasn’t until 1990 that the book was allowed to be released there, and even then it was edited. (Popcrunch and The Independent)
- The book was almost banned in the US and the UK during the Cuban Missile Crisis in the early 60’s. The reason for this isn’t clear. (Popcrunch and The Independent)
- In 1981 Jackson County, Florida challenged the book’s presence in its schools and libraries, claiming that the book was pro-communism, anti-Semitic, and had sexual references. (Geekosystem)
This book never came into my curriculum when I was in High School, though we did read Animal Farm. I picked it up awhile back and was recently able to finish it, after it was sternly recommended by James White. (Funny thing, I wasn’t looking for another Reformed Baptist or even a Christian blog when I googled whether this book was ever sensored, you just happened to be one. Providence! :P)
I wonder if it ever crossed the minds of those who forbade it just what they were doing. It’s irony to the highest degree, only serving to prove the point Orwell was making. In any event, I’m glad to have picked up the book. The parallels to society today can be striking. I kept thinking of North Korea as I was reading it, but I would be mistaken not to see growing parallels in our own culture, also.
Hello, Heather! I’m so glad your search providentially landed you on theologically friendly ground! 🙂 You’re absolutely correct about the irony of banning 1984. Yes, there are some scenes I would be uncomfortable with my kids reading, but the message of the novel is so clear and relevant, I don’t think it should be banned. In fact, I have an article somewhere on this blog where I discuss book banning and censorship from a Christian perspective. In short, while there are many things in our culture that I would rather weren’t there, I would much prefer their non-existence came about by means of people rejecting it rather than the government banning it. This puts the emphasis on God’s people being salt and light in the world, which is harder, but much longer-lasting and meaningful in its effect.
I agree whole-heartedly with Dr. White: 1984 is a book that deserves wide readership today. And though I’m sure many in our culture would read it and not see the parallels, at least they can’t say they weren’t warned.
Thanks again for stopping by! 🙂