<p>I just finished George Orwell's 1984, and it is now my favorite novel of all-time. Well, one of the commonapp essays is, describe a historical figure, fictional figure, or creative work that has had an influence on you. I want to talk about how I never really considered history to be that important until I read 1984. In 1984. he who controls history controls the world. Is it alright to write about how I now feel history is very important compared to my opions before I read it?</p>
<p>I would do a "create your own topic" style essay with the question:</p>
<p>"Why do you believe history is important?"</p>
<p>I disagree. If you can answer the question asked, do so. There's a reason they ask that specific question and don't just have a single "choose your own topic" essay choice.</p>
<p>I think it's a fine topic to write about it as a creative work that influenced you. 1984 is a classic. It should make a good essay.</p>
<p>I think it's a great topic for an essay, granted you can frame it to say something about you. I did a similar thing with Kerouac's On the Road and its enormous impact on my outlook on life and my ambition to become a writer. I honestly don't believe that the topic is what matters most; it's how you make that idea express who you are as an individual. So go with your gut. I've found that to be the best advice I've gotten on writing my essay, and the two teachers I asked to look over my essay both feel that it genuinely expresses who I am. And that's the point of the essay, isn't it?</p>
<p>(1984 is an amazing book, by the way. I'm re-reading it for my Lit class right now and I totally understand where you're coming from!)</p>
<p>The influence of a literary work on your thinking and outlook is a legitimate essay subject. 1984 is a particularly good selection. Just think if you were writing this essay in the early 1980s when the Soviet Union was still around and the world seemed to have multiple superpowers divided by ideology. Today, the Soviet Union is no more. But 1984 still has great resonance...........</p>
<p>1984 is my all-time favorite novel (as you can tell by my username location), haha. I think an essay on the book would be very creative; go for it!</p>