75th anniversary edition of ‘1984’ contains trigger warning by American U. professor

ANALYSIS: ‘There are no Black characters at all’

It what may be one of the great ironies of the last couple of years, the 75th anniversary edition of George Orwell’s classic “1984” comes with a trigger warning in its introduction.

Courtesy of Dolen Perkins-Valdez, who according to her website has “established herself as a pre-eminent chronicler of American historical life” and teaches literature at American University, the intro makes note that “there are no Black characters at all” in the novel.

For a “contemporary reader” such as herself, Perkins-Valdez (pictured) says this gives her “pause.” She also says a “sliver of connection” is difficult with a book that “does not speak much to race and ethnicity.”

On the June 2 edition of the show “America This Week, Live,” host Walter Kirn had co-host Matt Taibbi in stitches pointing out the paradox of such an introduction in a book whose themes include the use of language and freedom of thought. (Begin at approximately 1:36:00 in video below.)

Kirn asks, “One question about ‘1984’ and the present is, if the present is so much like ‘1984’ then why do they let ‘1984’ still exist?”

He notes this anniversary edition (approved by Orwell’s estate, by the way) “was published with an apology for itself. And I cannot fault the publisher more for doing this […] these people felt they needed an introduction before the old white man’s [author Thomas Pynchon’s] introduction.

“So, this version of ‘1984’ has a trigger warning […] here it goes: Dolen Perkins-Valdez [says] ‘I’m enjoying the novel on its own terms, not as a classic but as a good story. That is, until Winston [Smith] reveals himself to be a problematic character.’

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Photograph of Dolen Perkins-Valdez “‘For example, we learn of him he dislikes nearly all women. And especially the young and pretty ones. Winston’s views on women are, at first, despicable for the contemporary reader. He is the kind of character that can make me put a book down.'”

(To which Kirn says “You f***ing philistine — you mean if somebody says they don’t like women you throw the book away?”)

“‘When I was younger, that’s exactly what I would have done. But I’m a more seasoned reader now and I know the difference between a flawed character and a flawed story. And I remind myself that this is a dystopian novel, an idea of what society might look like if certain dark forces prevail.

“‘Orwell is suggesting misogyny is likely in a totalitarian society, and Winston is a product of that environment.'”

Kirn says “We’re getting someone to convict George Orwell of thoughtcrime in the book he wrote about thoughtcrime.” He then concludes “Well, thank you for your trigger warning to ‘1984.’ It is the most ‘1984’-ish thing I have ever f***ing read.”

According to her American U. faculty page, Perkins-Valdez teaches creative writing and an “advanced fiction workshop.”