| Product: |
Nineteen Eighty-four - George Orwell |
| Date: |
18/05/08 (109 review reads) |
| Rating: |
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Advantages: SUPERB READ
Disadvantages: COMING TRUE ???
1984
Ignorance is Strength.
Author - George Orwell.
The World is divided into 3 great powers, Oceania, Eurasia and Eastasia. All of them constantly at war with each other.
Oceania is ruled by the "Party" which itself is divided into 4 controlling ministries.
The Ministry of Peace.
The Ministry of Love.
The Ministry of Plenty.
The Ministry of Truth.
Their slogans are,
War is Peace
Freedom is Slavery
Ignorance is Strength
Only 2 pages into the book and you can already feel the total oppression and fear of the ever watchful "Party".
Our hero or Anti hero Winston Smith is sitting in a tiny alcove hiding from his "Telescreen" , which not only broadcasts but can watch you! And listen to you!
Big Brother is Watching !!!
All this and we haven't gotten to The Thought Police yet.
The self sustaining bureaucracy keeps control and power through war, propaganda and terror.
The media is totally controlled with all facts and figures being written and rewritten to fit the party's wishes.
Distrust of ones neighbours, friends and colleagues is encouraged. And rumours of party spies hidden amongst the populace is a daily hazard that one has to live with. In fact each citizen must live with the concept that at anytime of the day or night one could be taken away and killed or 'vaporised'.
The domination of the party is crushingly oppressive.
To dominate it must destroy any feelings of love, laughter, friendship, joy, curiosity, courage or integrity.
Winston manages to have a secret liaison with Julia, a beautiful 25yr old party activist. But she, like him, and many others live false lives just to survive the ever present threat of death.
Even the language is under threat being systematically shortened into what is called 'Newspeak'.
Incidentally, Newspeak was used in 'DUNE' by Thufir Hawat the Mentat Master of Assassins who served the house Atreides.
However there is a hidden organisation called 'The Brotherhood' which is 'allegedly' attempting to undermine Big Brother.
Room 101.
A torture room, A room of desolate pain.
A room containing and inflicting all of your worst fears and horrors.
What happens to Winston and Julia?
Well, all of the above is the backdrop for their story to unfold. Sorry no plot spoilers here.
The are 2 other films that come to mind which are in a similar vain, 'Brazil' and 'Equilibrium'. Where the populace lives a state controlled existence, terrified of the authorities.
Stay away from ROOM 101 !!!!
Greg.
Summary: BIG BROTHER REALLY IS WATCHING !
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