Wednesday, December 30, 2015

1984 by George Orwell



I read this in school, but what do I remember?  Big Brother is watching you. That’s it!

This time, I am reading with a different mindset.  What did I know back then? Not as much as I know now.

Winston and Julia get caught up in each other.  Winston is sure that he remembers things from his past.  He is sure that something is amiss.  Julia is just hanging out rebelling against the Party. 

Winston chooses to remember past details that have been changed.  Others choose to believe what is told to them and go on with their lives. Winston knows that a mind game is being played, unfortunately, his mind won’t let him play along.

Winston works in the Ministry of Truth.  He is one of the people who make changes to news items that get published in the newspaper. Other departments are responsible for other changes like the Records Department who edits photographs.

The children are taught to spy, even on their parents. 

The Ministry titles are the exact opposite of what they really do.  The Ministry of Truth tells lies.   The Ministry of Love tortures people. 

This is a world where food is rationed, and the food that is rationed is meager to begin with.  Victory gin is given out in the cafeteria where people work.  Razor blades are rationed. What kind of person is “Big Brother”?  There is no privacy.  Everyone is watched and has a television set in their home that watches them. Words are made and spliced together so as to shorten conversations and the thought process.  No one can think for themselves.  

Is that what the world was coming to? With all the social media apps, smart phones and the internet, 1984 makes you wonder.

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