1984 is written by the same author as Animal Farm. I had read Animal farm in 6th form when I was studying the Russian Revolution and found it both highly intelligent, and relevant to today's society as much as when it was written. I was interested to see if 1984 had the same command and affect over the reader. I was not disappointed. The Book follows the story of Winston Smith. Smith being representative of the society in which he lived in as it is the most common name. In a "Big Brother" society their every move is watched and hear on telescreens and any deviation from what is expected from Big Brother is punishable in the severest forms, often by torture and death.
Inside the not so safe few cubic centimeters of his head, Winston is forming a rebellion, he is committing thoughtcrime by wishing someone, somewhere could overthrow this oppression. He dreams of being loved, being free and being in a society where your every move isn't watched and analysed constantly.
Interestingly Big Brother who is ever present or omnipotent in the novel, never actually appear in person, so whether or not he is an actual person or just a representation to lead the population of Oceania is never known. The population are certainly not given the scope to explore this however, and are expected to love and serve Big Brother in body and mind at all times.
Free enterprise and individualism are none existent in the novel, Winston however is not under the party's entire control, in his mind he still maintains some of himself. He buys a diary on the black market and begins to fill in his thoughts for people of the future to read. He also falls in love and has secret relationships with Julia a fellow worker at the Ministry of Truth, where it is his job to amend and change articles from the past to constantly make them adhere to Big Brother's desires. Unfortunately the ending of the book is not a happy one. As with all my reviews I don't wish to ruin the ending for you but I strongly recommend you read it for yourself. It will change the say you not only view society but how you value or rights as individuals. It casts an interesting slant on our ever increasing "monitored" society bringing forward many debates as the increased CCTV on our streets, ID cards, and any such monitoring the government expects from us.
Inside the not so safe few cubic centimeters of his head, Winston is forming a rebellion, he is committing thoughtcrime by wishing someone, somewhere could overthrow this oppression. He dreams of being loved, being free and being in a society where your every move isn't watched and analysed constantly.
Interestingly Big Brother who is ever present or omnipotent in the novel, never actually appear in person, so whether or not he is an actual person or just a representation to lead the population of Oceania is never known. The population are certainly not given the scope to explore this however, and are expected to love and serve Big Brother in body and mind at all times.
Free enterprise and individualism are none existent in the novel, Winston however is not under the party's entire control, in his mind he still maintains some of himself. He buys a diary on the black market and begins to fill in his thoughts for people of the future to read. He also falls in love and has secret relationships with Julia a fellow worker at the Ministry of Truth, where it is his job to amend and change articles from the past to constantly make them adhere to Big Brother's desires. Unfortunately the ending of the book is not a happy one. As with all my reviews I don't wish to ruin the ending for you but I strongly recommend you read it for yourself. It will change the say you not only view society but how you value or rights as individuals. It casts an interesting slant on our ever increasing "monitored" society bringing forward many debates as the increased CCTV on our streets, ID cards, and any such monitoring the government expects from us.
The next book I am reading is The Interpretation of Murder by Jed Rubenfeld. Review to follow soon!
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