Simple Question “Why”
Recently, my son began a unit on dystopian literature at school and chose to read 1984 by George Orwell. When I mentioned that it is one of the most frequently banned and challenged books, his immediate reaction was: “Why?”
It was a great question—”Why was this book banned?”
But to answer that, we must first ask a broader question: “Why are books banned at all?”
The Power of Stories
What is wrong with books? They are merely collections of words—whether spoken as sounds or written as letters—incapable of causing physical harm. And yet, when arranged into a poem or a book, they can become so powerful that they are banned or even destroyed.
The transformation occurs when words are woven into a story. Because story carries ideas, and has the power to change perspectives, shape attitudes, and influence ways of thinking. A well-told story can persuade, inspire, and challenge. The more compelling the narrative, the stronger its impact.
It is no coincidence that storytellers have been valued across all cultures, even though their work did not provide food, clothing, or shelter. What made storytelling essential was its ability to unite people, shape identities, explain origins, preserve traditions, provide entertainment, and help process emotions. Whoever controlled the story held the power to shape hearts and minds.
Jonathan Gottschall, in his book The Storytelling Animal, suggests that humans should be called “Homo fictus” (storytelling man) rather than “Homo sapiens” (wise man), emphasizing the crucial role of stories in shaping our lives and culture.
This idea is not new. Over 2,000 years ago, Plato recognized the potential power of storytelling. In The Republic, he claimed that poet should be excluded from his ideal city – Kallipolis – because poetry could have unregulated influence in shaping moral and intellectual values.
Books became extensions of storytellers, enabling ideas to spread faster and farther. They could be shared, discussed, and debated simultaneously in multiple places—all without the author’s presence.
When Stories Do Not Align
When ideas challenged those in power, efforts were made to suppress them. These actions targeted not just the authors, but also their works—books were banned, even burned.
History is filled with such tragic examples: the Qin Dynasty book burnings (213–206 BCE) in China, the Bonfire of the Vanities (1497) in Florence, the burning of Mayan codices (1562) by Spanish colonizers in Yucatán, the Nazi book burnings (1933) in Germany, and the book burnings in the Soviet Union (1920s–1950s).
One of the most well-known attempts to prevent uncomfortable ideas from spreading was “The Index Librorum Prohibitorum” – “Index of Prohibited Books” – established by the Catholic Church in 1560 and active until 1966. This list banned thousands of books and blacklisted publications—including works by some of Europe’s greatest intellectuals—deemed heretical or immoral by the Sacred Congregation of the Index.
Destroying and banning books protected the dominant narrative that upheld the power of certain individuals and their inner circles. To preserve the integrity of these narratives, two additional tools were often used against dissenting stories: censorship and propaganda.
Authors were pressured—or even forced—to write in line with political ideologies, and any deviation was subject to correction. Censorship wasn’t limited to new publications; it also reached into existing works, retroactively altering content – just like the Ministry of Truth in Orwell’s 1984, where history was rewritten to serve the Party’s needs.
If stories weren’t so powerful, no one would go to such great lengths to ensure that the “right” narrative is heard and followed.
Why Books Are Banned
As a child, when I first learned about censorship and propaganda, I innocently asked: “Why are these methods even necessary? Can’t people see and decide for themselves what is right?”
Years of learning have not diminished my faith in humanity. I still firmly believe that people have the right to the truth and the freedom to make independent decisions about their lives.
Instead, my experiences have taught me that all actions against books – ideas and challenging stories – were driven by those who knew that their own narratives were weak and flawed. The very stories that once elevated them to power often prove fragile and deceptive. A single admission of error could expose the cracks in their foundation, undermining not just their authority but the entire system built upon it.
Rather than face opposition, engage in discussion, or allow for progress and improvement, they preferred to rewrite history—fearing that an open debate could bring about their downfall.
Here is the answer to the question: “Why is there a procedure for banning books?” It is caused by fear and insecurity, a lack of openness to criticism and improvement, and a lack of faith in humanity’s ability to make the right choices.
It is easier to ban something than to explain, to punish rather than teach. The foundational narrative of authorities that are not open to criticism and discussion likely lacks integrity and cannot withstand challenge.
Is Book Banning Effective?
In my opinion banning books, censorship, and propaganda may be effective for a limited period of time, but those efforts are not sustainable. These methods undoubtedly slow the progress of innovation. History offers clear examples, such as the stories of Galileo and Giordano Bruno—victims of oppression whose ideas endured despite persecution.
In the end, human curiosity will drive people to seek new ideas and solutions. Creativity will always find ways to reach its goals and circumvent restrictions. History will not be forgotten, as Czesław Miłosz wrote:
“Nie bądź bezpieczny. Poeta pamięta.
Możesz go zabić – narodzi się nowy.
Spisane będą czyny i rozmowy.”
(“Który skrzywdziłeś”)
“Do not feel safe. The poet remembers.
You can kill one, but another is born.
The words are written down, the deed, the date.”
(“You Who Wronged”)
“Grand things persist,” said Captain Vanderwhile (“A Gentelman in Moscow”, by Amor Towles), in response to Count Rostov’s considerations about Russia’s self-destruction theory. I can’t help but agree—with one exception. Captain Vanderwhile believed that Fate hands something down to posterity behind its back. I think that we can help fate.
Garden of Ideas
From the work of Yuval Noah Harari, Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind, I learned about the theory that ideas can behave like viruses. This concept is closely related to memetics, the study of how ideas, behaviors, and cultural phenomena spread in a manner similar to genes or viruses. Observing how rulers attempted to control ideas—by burning them, containing them, or destroying their sources—makes the theory seem plausible. Linguistic expressions also support this idea: the spread of ideas, contagious ideas, memes infecting the media, being immune to propaganda, mutated theories, and the carriers of radical ideas, to name a few.
I prefer to compare ideas to seeds. They need to find the right soil to germinate and grow. It can be difficult to distinguish valuable seeds from weeds, which may grow faster and cover more space without bearing fruit. Yet, weeds also play a role in enriching the soil, making it better for the growth of more precious plants. These valuable ideas require more care and time to mature, but when they do, they provide sustenance, offer shelter, and invite others to come and learn of their worth. We can protect the seeds, nurture the seedlings, and share the fruits of fully grown trees to ensure that grand ideas endure—preserved in their true form and passed down to future generations.
In my backyard, I cultivate a permaculture garden where a variety of species work together to create a healthy and productive environment. At home, I have shelves filled with books that teach diverse subjects, present different perspectives, challenge my thinking, and provide both nourishment and entertainment. These books foster open discussions within my family, helping us stay resilient to manipulation. They shape us, allowing us to understand who we are and how we think. My masters engraved “Przesłanie Pana Cogito” (The Envoy of Mr. Cogito) by Zbigniew Herbert into my mind and heart. I will keep it and pass it on.
This is why I welcomed my son’s question and was happy to discuss ideological issues with him. I enjoyed hearing his perspective and presenting mine. We were not afraid to be challenged or to ask difficult questions.
About “1984”
So, “Why was 1984 by George Orwell banned in so many countries, including Poland?” Now that we understand the reasons why books can be banned, we need to explore what the authorities of those countries were afraid of. But that is a topic for another story…
Anna Kaminska
