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Julia


From critically acclaimed novelist Sandra Newman, a brilliantly relevant ...
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Would Julia be challenged if taught in school?

Created: 12/28/23

Replies: 3

Posted Dec. 28, 2023 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
marks

Join Date: 02/25/19

Posts: 112

Would Julia be challenged if taught in school?

With the number of challenges to books being taught in schools increasing each year, I wonder if Julia would be more or less challenged that Orwell's version. Would the fact that it is more modern and penned by a female author make it less objectionable to those inclined to think that way?


Posted Jan. 02, 2024 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
AlwaysSunny

Join Date: 01/06/20

Posts: 27

RE: Would Julia be challenged if taught ...

After telling people on my YouTube channel I'm reading this book before reading Orwell's original, some warned I should be aware of revisionism. I responded that I can separate the original from the new work, but I understood the sentiment but appreciate an alternate view from the female perspective. While Newman borrows heavily from the Orwell's world, she writes skillfully of Julia's inner world. These are bounds that Orwell never ventured into. I find this vision compelling. That being said, I hope we can avoid future book "canceling" in schools and academia just because people have a problem with the author. It doesn't allow people to think for themselves. We can't insulate the world from scary or "offensive" thought (see: Orwell). A circular argument in many ways. :)


Posted Jan. 05, 2024 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
beverlyj

Join Date: 12/22/11

Posts: 154

RE: Would Julia be challenged if taught ...

Personally, I would like to think that it would not be challenged.

But, as it seems everything is being challenged these days and many would not like how Julia liked/enjoying sex, was willing to go against/work around authorities, and the appearance of being a free-thinking independent woman, I am sure that it might end on a challenge/banned list.


Posted Jan. 20, 2024 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
vivianh

Join Date: 11/14/11

Posts: 160

RE: Would Julia be challenged if taught ...

First of all, I don’t believe in banning books, which as shown in the original 1984 and in Julia marks the beginning of the end of free thought. However, like many thought provoking works of fiction in today’s world, any topic that challenges the current accepted orthodoxy is at risk of being banned. The incidents of torture, two minute hate requirements, resistance to authority could potentially ‘trigger’ a sensitive psyche. Orwell’s own works are subject to bans.


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