George Orwell wrote Nineteen eighty-four between 1944 and 1948, in the immediate aftermath of World War II. His vision of an omni-present and repressive State was influenced by world events of his own time. He had understood that modern government was capable not only of influencing people's actions, but of controlling their thoughts, making any sort of resistance impossible. He also feared that Britain would turn away from liberal democracy and embrace either fascism or socialism. The novel was published in 1949 and it is considered a terrifying glimpse into the future.
As the novel opens, we learn that in 1984, the world has been divided into three states: Oceania, Eastasia and Eurasia, which are continually in battle with one another. This is the world structure that follows a nuclear war which took place in the 1950's. In the state of Oceania, a revolution has produced a figurehead known as Big Brother, and a group of individuals called The Party. Under this regime, free thought and freedom of expression are forbidden, history and memory are erased and rewritten to support The Party and its ideas. The State creates and uses its own language, Newspeak, and its own thought process, Doublethink.
The protagonist, Winston Smith, is a low-level Party member and works in the Ministry of Truth. His job is to destroy and rewrite news articles and State facts and figures to align them with the views of The Party. He lives in Airstrip One (formerly London, England) without the simplest liberties. He finds himself against this repressive society, where thoughts are monitored, and writes his own thoughts down on paper, considered a crime by the Thought Police.
He falls in love with Julia, another worker at the Ministry of Truth, and they begin to discuss ideas for the overthrow of The Party. Winston is eventually captured by the Thought Police and led to purification and re-education by Party members.
Discussion
1. We are in the 21st century, how accurate was Orwell’s vision of the future? In what ways does our contemporary society compare to his idea of society in 1984? Are there examples in which he was correct? What is most opposite? Do you think Orwell's "vision" can come true?
2. If you were Winston what would you do to fight The Party? Knowing the end of the novel, what would you do to change the fate that awaits you?
THE FILM
Nineteen Eighty-Four is also a 1984 British science fiction film, based upon the novel, following the life of Winston Smith in Oceania, a country run by a totalitarian government. The film was written and directed by Michael Radford and stars John Hurt, Richard Burton and Suzanna Hamilton.
George Orwell wrote Nineteen eighty-four between 1944 and 1948, in the immediate aftermath of