Should this book be taught in class?

To help students understand the themes of dehumanization, isolation, repression, loneliness, social class disparity, and abuse of power, 1984 should be taught as part of a thematic unit. If the themes of 1984 are studied in less complex literature, especially works dealing with actual historical events or fictional situations familiar to students, they will be able to relate the happenings of 1984 to their own lives and their own futures.Orwell describes a complete totalitarian society in which the government, referred to as the Party, has almost total control over the people. The supreme ruler of the Party is Big Brother. Posters announce that "Big Brother is Watching You". Telescreens drone endlessly with brainwashing propaganda about wondrous government programs. Coins, stamps, books, films, and banners proclaim the three slogans of the Party: War is Peace, Freedom is Slavery, Ignorance is Strength. Presenting this sort of environment in class can show kids what happens when the government is given to much power and show them similar occurences in history. However, it has been challenged on such grounds as profanity, immorality, and obscenity. It has been charged with being Communistic, containing sex references, and being depressing. Most of this could be true depending on how you interpret the book but for the most part there are many different lessons that can come out of the book. Anyone could really go either way with this one.