From reading a lot of the classics, it’s becoming apparent that there really is nothing new under the sun. My recent reading of 1984 supports this line of thinking. In 1948, Orwell was thinking abut a totalitarian government and we aren’t as far off from that as some may think.
I’ve found it interesting that both Fahrenheit 451 and 1984 focus on the destruction and/or alteration of literature as a way to control society and keep people ignorant. This is also explored in Animal Farm, in a different way. You can read my review of Animal Farm and Fahrenheit 451. 1984 takes the idea of removing access to literature a step further and leans toward Animal Farm by showing the process of rewriting history. Citizens can never be certain if an event actually happened or not. The people in power are carefully constructing a system of doublethink. The public is to know and not to know.
Another concept that was incredibly horrific, but not too far outside of the realm of what we expect in current US society, is thoughtcrime. THe use of 2 way telescreens to monitor facial expressions, mannerisms, and hear what people are saying is crazy to think about, but how many times have you realized you were being recorded without your consent. Cameras, recordings devices, drones, etc; are ubiquitous in our society at this point.
When Winston first sees Julia in the street and thinks about how he should have killed, like whoa dude. THat’s where your thoughts go, immediately? But to be fair, this society is based on reporting someone, essentially having them get in trouble before eventually, the trouble comes to your doorstep by association. The fact that children report their parents is heartbreaking, but also shows the flimsy, thin lines that are holding people together. I haven’t seen the movie 1984, but I envision everyone in drab clothing that is shapeless and formless without individuality and with families that go through the motions. Love, joy, happiness are not valued in this society and romance is taken out of marriage, so I can only assume this loveless life is then passed on to the children who do not form bonds with the parents.
I must admit that I love when Orwell uses the ploy of Winston reading to Julia to give us his whole breakdown of the continual interplay between societies and the inherent hierarchal roles. Also, Julia was sleep sleep during this and, to be honest, I was almost asleep as well.
*SPOILER ALERT*
Moving further along in the book, when Winston sees O’Brien and he’s one of the Thought Police, my heart sank. I had thought he may have been and was saddened to be proven correct. Finding out that the shopkeeper was in on it too, previously, was also disheartening. This really is an every man for himself society. How unfortunate.
In the end, it was so sad and depressing to see how this entire story played out and the devastation, manipulation, and torture that Winston and other members in society had to endure. This society is so focused on putting on a good face and blending in with the group, that you are unable to express yourself at all, unless it’s as a part of the two minutes hate. The two minutes hate and the vitriol expressed during them makes more sense to me as it’s the only time these people can express any emotion beside general contentment. If you have any mannerisms or facial expressions seen as outside of normal, you will be speaking with the thought police. I hope, for all of our sakes, we don’t end up becoming this society that’s depicted. This is part of the reason I am driven to read and write about these important books to keep their words and lessons alive.
Did you read 1984? Did it depress you as much as it did for me?
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