1984 by George Orwell has been part of Stimson Middle School’s English curriculum for years. Currently, there is a debate on whether the book should be banned from the school.

The main argument against the book is that eighth-graders shouldn’t be reading about sex at that age. But just one year earlier, in seventh grade, students were required to take a health class where they were taught aspects of sex ed. If anything, the novel is simply exemplifying the fact that sex is a very real thing, which is important for teens to acknowledge and understand.

Beyond the issue of how appropriate 1984 is, some parents are concerned about the message of the story. As modern technology advances, our society may be nearing the dystopian reality portrayed in the book. Reading about a far more exaggerated version of the reality that they live in allows an outside view into the world that students can relate to and discuss. So what’s the concern? 

Well, there is the fear of the unknown. It’s nearly impossible to know how a certain group of students will react to the book. They could begin to draw connections in a negative manner, viewing the school like a similar environment as that of 1984. And they wouldn’t be wrong, with blaring speakers, constant supervision, bullies and propaganda at every glance. Even after graduation, the connections could continue into the real world and issues with civilian privacy against the government. But is that really a bad thing? All people should form their own thoughts and impressions about rules and the society surrounding them. If individuals didn’t question their government, society would be stagnant. America could have never revolted against Britain, and gay marriage would be illegal.

So does the good of 1984 outweigh the bad? Or should there be more of a fight to keep middle schoolers reading and learning about this look into what could be?