jun 8, 1949 - 1984 by George Orwell

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George Orwell’s dystopian novel, 1984, depicts the rise and fall of Winston Smith’s rebellion against the Party, a totalitarian government that rules over the nation of Oceania. Orwell mimics the developing socioeconomic hierarchy of the twentieth century through his inclusion of a lower, middle, and upper class – Oceania’s Proletariat, Outer Party, and Inner Party, respectively. Orwell also details specific ministries within the government that further the control of Oceania’s citizens, namely the Ministry of Peace (which handles war and defense), the Ministry of Plenty (which handles economic affairs), the Ministry of Love (which deals with law and order), and the Ministry of Truth (which deals with news, education, entertainment, and art). Published in 1949, this text reflects the political attitudes of its time, namely the conflict between America and the Soviet Union, whereas the former embraces capitalism and the latter, communism. With this context in mind, 1984 was often ironically misinterpreted and misused as a propaganda tool. In response to this misunderstanding of the novel, scholars have argued that it should be read as a satire in which Orwell attempts to warn readers of the dangers of totalitarianism. This novel is still relevant because many of its terms and ideas, like “Big Brother” or “doublethink”, have been commonly used since 1984’s publication. Furthermore, in an era of increasingly complex technological advancements and in a heightened political climate, the novel’s exploration of surveillance, censorship, and nationalism contributes to ongoing political discourse.

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