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The original, “1984” written by George Orwell, is a dystopian novel published in 1948. It focuses on ideas of constant government surveillance, totalitarianism, omnipotent power of the government, and manipulation of people for power and control. The book 1984 was banned in the Soviet Union in 1949, shortly after its publication, by the country's leader at the time, Joseph Stalin. It was the ruling elite and party officials who had a hand in banning the book rather than the general population. The book wasn't unbanned until 1989, 40 years after its original ban. Even owning it was considered a crime that was punishable by imprisonment. This is extremely ironic, considering that the main character, Winston, owns a book that goes against the party's beliefs, which is punishable by imprisonment. 1984 is eerily similar to the Soviet Union during that period in many ways. Which I'm sure is why it was banned. I would say the general population wasn't even aware that it was banned during that period to advocate for it being unbanned. I'd imagine there were educated people who might have found it interesting or compelling because of its similarities to communism and the soviet union at the time.

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1984’s central themes were a direct challenge to Stalin's authoritarian rule, particularly its portrayal of the manipulation of truth, the destruction of history, and the elimination of creative thinking and expression under the Party’s control. The Soviet Union under Stalin operated similarly, with widespread censorship, propaganda, and a repressive surveillance system. Stalin would have viewed Orwell’s work as both a critique of his government and a threat to the legitimacy of his rule. Sadly, there was no one to defend the book's banning. Stalin was deeply paranoid about the possibility of dissent or subversive ideas infiltrating the population. 1984 presented a stark reflection of totalitarian control that mirrored Stalin’s tactics to a t. Banning the book was a way to protect the state from ideas that could inspire rebellion or criticism.

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Interpretation: Why Did These Issues Arise?

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Interpretation: Why Did These Issues Arise?

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The reason for 1984’s ban under Stalin was his deep desire to control every aspect of society, including thought. Just like Orwell writes about. Orwell’s critique of how totalitarian regimes manipulate reality and suppress dissent mirrored the very practices of Stalin’s government. Stalin likely viewed the book as a direct threat to the legitimacy of his power.

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From a historical and ethical standpoint, Stalin's banning of 1984 was a clear example of excessive government control. Censorship in this context was not about protecting the people but about maintaining power and control over every aspect of society, including the freedom to think waht you want. Which is exactly what Orwell warns about. I feel this also highlights the important of freedom of speech, which is a western idea.

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In Suzanne Collins' "The Hunger Games," Katniss Everdeen volunteers to take her younger sister's place in the annual televised Hunger Games, a brutal competition where tributes from the 12 districts of Panem fight to the death.

Although The book has been challenged across various regions and school districts, particularly by parents and conservative groups concerned about the book's content, I chose to focus on the attempted ban of "The Hunger Games" at the Lexington County School District in South Carolina. This ban was suggested by a parent of a middle schooler because the parent felt the book was too graphic and violent for middle schoolers to read. The parent suggested the book be read at the high school level only and removed from the middle school library. The concept of children fighting each other to the death is unsettling for many parents to think about their kids reading, especially if they feel their kids aren't mature enough to handle that kind of content. Many teachers and librarians defended the book, arguing that it provides an opportunity for discussions on important themes like power, survival, and societal inequality. The school board voted unanimously to keep the book

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The primary concern for those challenging the book is the depiction of violence, especially since the story centers around children (the "tributes") being forced to fight to the death on live TV. Parents just seem to feel that is was to violent for the younger readers. Defenders argue that The Hunger Games is a thought-provoking book that encourages critical thinking about society, authority, and power. It raises important questions about ethics, survival, and the role of government. The school board dismissed the ban because it was only one parent, and everyone on the board saw it as pointless. A middle-ground solution could involve allowing the book to be read with parental consent or as part of a guided classroom discussion. Teachers and parents could ensure that the book is contextualized and discussed in a way that emphasizes its deeper meanings rather than just focusing on the violence. So the kids take away the positives as well.

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Parents might feel that The Hunger Games is too disturbing or intense for certain age groups and want to ensure that children are exposed to material that aligns with their emotional maturity. Certain books just aren't age-appropriate. I feel The Hunger Games is not one of them, though. Many of the challenges at other school districts seem to stem from genuine concern for what children are reading, particularly when the material is as intense and violent as The Hunger Games. The banning of books like The Hunger Games raises concerns about the right to intellectual freedom. Not just freedom of speech, but freedom of thought as well. In the U.S., the First Amendment protects the right to access a wide range of ideas, including controversial or uncomfortable ones. Banning the book could be seen as an infringement on that right, particularly when the book encourages critical thinking and societal reflection.

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I feel that those defending The Hunger Games are in the right. Especially when it comes to a book like The Hunger Games that criticizes censorship. I will say it is important to know what your children are reading, but as long as its not doing them any psychological harm, then the child should be able to choose for themself whether they think they are mature enough or not for a book. Parents should have the right to know what their kids are being taught in the classroom, but children should also have the right to decide what they want to teach themselves outside of the classroom. If a parent has a problem with the material their kid is teaching themselves, that should be between the parent and the kid. Not the school board for allowing them to learn.