"IS EVERYBODY IN, THE CEREMONY IS ABOUT TO BEGIN"
BOOKS 1984 George Orwell
George Orwell 1984, Surreal or So-real?
1984 was George Orwell's final finished novel, written in the late forties about a frightening dystopian world, involving mass surveillance, totalitarianism, lack of freedom and complete control over all people and behaviours. The story is set in an imagined future during the year 1984, within a super-state called Oceania, Great Britain is known as Airstrip one. The state is ruled by The Party, who's autocratic leader is Big Brother, he fully notions "The Cult Of The Leader" even though he may or may not exist?
The party controls everyone with the brutal and intimidating "Thought Police", own think is forbidden and newspeak is the "new normal". Thought criminals are detained and punished before finally being taken to room 101 where they are confronted by their worst fears.
Winston
The main character is Winston Smith who secretly hates The Party. He works for the government media where he is forced to manipulate history records so evidence of any previous life without control is erased. Winston has to also document the lies about the fake perpetual wars which, unaware to him, are keeping the population in control with fear and uncertainty. He befriends a guy called O'Brien who has a higher ranked job than himself, but believes that he may also hate The Party. Winston gets invited to O'Briens house, luxurious in contrast to his own squalid dwellings.
Winston becomes involved in a secret forbidden relationship with a co-worker named Julia, when they meet in private they read sections from a book, given to him by O'Brien, The Theory and Practice of Oligarchial Collectivism by Emanuel Goldstein, who is Big Brothers political rival. The book explains how the party keeps control by indoctrinating the fear into its people with the manipulated news of the fake wars and that when Oceana's enemy changes from Eurasia to Eastasia, nobody notices. It also tries to educate the nation that the Party can be overthrown if they unite.
Interrogation
Winston and Julia are betrayed by O'Brian, leading to arrest by the Thought Police, they finally realise that O'Brien is not a rebel and is actually a member of the inner party, who are rich and connected to the government. They are both interrogated and tortured, Julia gives in and blames Winston, he is told that eventually he will be executed once punishment has cured him. His final torture is in room 101 where offenders meet their worst fear, through surveillance it is known that rats are Winston's greatest fear. A mask full over rats is placed over his face and he's forced to cure himself from his "madness" of own-think.
Ending
The book ends with Winston sitting in a cafe, a news bulletin sounds saying that the so called conflicts are nearing the end and celebrations may soon commence!
Winston then looks up at a picture of Big Brother with tears in his eyes and feels happy to have been cured as he realises that he loves "Big Brother"
The old Winston has successfully been executed!
This novel certainly makes you wonder if George Orwell was clairvoyant? A captivating read that ages well, technology and personalities may change but the operation of power and the psychology of politics remain the same. I'm feeling it's rather apparent to the modern times we are presently experiencing. The film is equally dark but doesn't quite deliver the full emotion of the book.