1984: Rip-off? Does it matter?

Well, we’ll forgive you if you happen to be George Orwell:

Orwell's novel is consistently acclaimed as one of the finest of the last 100 years – two years ago Guardian readers voted it the 20th century's "definitive" book – and it remains a consistent bestseller. Should it alter our respect for it that Orwell borrowed much of his plot, the outlines of three of his central figures, and the progress of the book's dramatic arc from an earlier work?

Hmm… if you’re a high school student, I suppose this might make you feel less guilty about getting the Cliff’s Notes version.