To Orwell Today,

Hi,

I'm writing a paper about Orwell's 1984 for my Advanced Placement English Literature (12th grade) class. I was wondering what your opinion is about the book as it applies to High School students. The question I am arguing is whether or not the book should be included as part of the AP Curriculum. Do you think it should be? Is this book a necessary read for upper-level thinkers? If so, why?

from,
Samantha Davis

Greetings Samantha,

Yes, for upper-level thinkers "1984" is a necessary read, or in other words, until you've read "1984" you aren't an upper-level thinker, or in other words, reading "1984" will turn you into an upper-level thinker.

But it is not enough to just read "1984". A student actually has to STUDY "1984". When I was in high school we didn't STUDY "1984". The teacher just threw the book at us and told us to read it. There wasn't much discussion about any of its issues. But that was 35 years ago and "1984" wasn't as pertinent as it is today.

But be warned, students who read and understand "1984" could be accused of being thought-criminals because in "1984" thinking is a crime. Also, in "1984" books are no longer available to be read in their natural form but have been "dumbed down" into "newspeak" language which aims to narrow the range of thought. So take advantage of reading "1984" in its original while you still can.

Studying "1984" today is a real eye-opener and if you and your classmates use my website as a guide for how to relate the book to present-day events you will get alot more out of it than if you try to struggle through it on your own.

All the best in your study of "1984",
Jackie Jura