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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
This Book is Awesome!, May 27, 2004
In a time when the government has enough power to control the past, present and future, in a time where you don't even have the right to think freely, in a time when the government can see and hear your every move, how can you fight to free yourself? 1984 by George Orwell is a classic novel which describes the journey of one person and his struggle to gain freedom of body and mind. Winston, a middle aged man lives as most others do, controlled by the supreme leader known as "Big Brother" and the political party supporting him. The party is powerful enough to control the past and therefore shape and create the future. As a lower level employee for the Ministry of Truth, (one of three regions in the party) Winston is required to rewrite articles and printings which contradict any declarations made by the party. While he knows that he is indeed rewriting the past, he is only slowly coming to the realization that the party and "Big Brother" are merely seeking power and supremacy. This is an amazing story which kept me hooked right from the beginning. Orwell has seen into the future of our society and shown us what our world could be like when a government has too much power. You are able to jump into Winston's mind and begin to feel the same hatred and resentment towards Big Brother as he does. I definitely recommend this book to those who enjoy a crazy story with many ups and downs that literally keeps you guessing until the last sentence. Remember, Big Brother is watching you!
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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Ironically assigned reading in many public schools, December 10, 2004
1984 is extremely influential on the way we as a society label each other and our government with names such as "Big Brother" Orwellian and such. These names like calling someone a Nazi allow us to appear to argue but actually allow us to dodge the real issues. This is fairly ironic considering the origin of such terms. Basically 1984 is set in London in the distopian future. Orwell wrote it in response to Stalin's corrupting the ideals of Socialism. He was a socialist and so was really bothered by that failure.
The plot to 1984 isn't so important as the setting. Basically the story follows Winston Smith. Smith harbors less than perfect views of his environment, for which he will one day be arrested regardless of his actions. Not loving the government (thought crime) is the only crime that is recognized. Hidden cameras and microphones are omnipresent in the city, included mandatory TVs which can't be turned off, only show a single government station and contain hidden cameras through which "thought police" may monitor what is in front of the TV at any time. Social interaction doesn't exist, since that would be considered weird and therefore criminal.
There are three classes of people in London: Inner Party members, Party members like Winston and the proletariate, who aren't watched so closely because they aren't considered human. In this world Winston goes from merely not liking the government to engaging in unusual behavior. He starts by buying decorative antiques at a proletariate shop and progresses to having a girl friend, who he can only meet with in remote country side settings on account of social interaction is not allowed by the government. It is obvious to him that he will one day be taken to the Ministry of Love, a windowless building which handles law enforcement, and never fails at getting thought criminals to love the government.
The novel is always dark. No happy beginning, no happy middle and no happy ending. Still it is important to read it before throwing around terms like "Orwellian" It has been so influential on society that it is required reading - if you want to pass your tenth grade English. Failing to read is a sign of insurgence against the government.
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5.0 out of 5 stars
Ironically assigned reading in many public schools, December 10, 2004
1984 is extremely influential on the way we as a society label each other and our government with names such as "Big Brother" Orwellian and such. These names like calling someone a Nazi allow us to appear to argue but actually allow us to dodge the real issues. This is fairly ironic considering the origin of such terms. Basically 1984 is set in London in the distopian future. Orwell wrote it in response to Stalin's corrupting the ideals of Socialism. He was a socialist and so was really bothered by that failure.
The plot to 1984 isn't so important as the setting. Basically the story follows Winston Smith. Smith harbors less than perfect views of his environment, for which he will one day be arrested regardless of his actions. Not loving the government (thought crime) is the only crime that is recognized. Hidden cameras and microphones are omnipresent in the city, included mandatory TVs which can't be turned off, only show a single government station and contain hidden cameras through which "thought police" may monitor what is in front of the TV at any time. Social interaction doesn't exist, since that would be considered weird and therefore criminal.
There are three classes of people in London: Inner Party members, Party members like Winston and the proletariate, who aren't watched so closely because they aren't considered human. In this world Winston goes from merely not liking the government to engaging in unusual behavior. He starts by buying decorative antiques at a proletariate shop and progresses to having a girl friend, who he can only meet with in remote country side settings on account of social interaction is not allowed by the government. It is obvious to him that he will one day be taken to the Ministry of Love, a windowless building which handles law enforcement, and never fails at getting thought criminals to love the government.
The novel is always dark. No happy beginning, no happy middle and no happy ending. Still it is important to read it before throwing around terms like "Orwellian" It has been so influential on society that it is required reading - if you want to pass your tenth grade English. Failing to read is a sign of insurgence against the government.
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