Douple plus good (Nineteen Eighty-four - George Orwell)

Member Name: warandpeace

Product:	Nineteen Eighty-four - George Orwell
Date:	10/07/09 (8 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: A terrifying dystopian world that can serve as a poignant warning

Disadvantages: None really

It is somewhat depressing now that when you mention the phrase 'Big Brother is watching you' so many people seem to assume that it is attributed to the television programme, and not to one of Orwell's finest works, 1984. His depiction of a dystopian world, but serves to horrify as well as to warn us of the dangerous of an over powerful state. It depicts a world in which individuality is being gradually destroyed, when children spy on their parents, where people aren't executed, they simply no longer exist.

Some of the most poignant sections are on the destruction of language, the idea that the English language is now the only language in history that is actually shrinking each year. The slogans of the party, i.e. 'War is Peace' or 'Freedom is Slavery'. The four ministries, which while the others ministry of love (the home office), ministry of plenty, ministry of peace (ministry of war), are all shown as somewhat terrifying, in my mind it is the 'Ministry of Truth' that the main character works for that is in many ways the most terrifying.

This is shown in the depiction of the destruction and editing of history, as is stated in the book 'He who controls the present, controls the past. He who controls the past, controls the future.', it is a matter of whole scale alternation and modification of information. The party is never wrong, as nothing exists to contradict it.

Summary: A warning of things to come?