“War is Peace, Freedom is Slavery, Ignorance is Strength.”
These haunting slogans are from George Orwell’s “1984”, and that does paint a grim picture of a dystopian society explored in detail in the book.
Published in 1949, the novel follows the life of ‘Winston Smith’, who is a disillusioned member of the oppressive ruling party that is known as “the Party.”
Each aspect of the lives of individuals is monitored, controlled, and scrutinized by Big Brother, the party’s leadership.
The government employs telescreens to invade their privacy, and posters plastered on every wall reminding them that “Big Brother Is Watching Them.”
Marriage, family, love, and relationships are forbidden, and the “Thought Police” use torture to enforce obedience.
The Party even introduces Newspeak, a language designed to eliminate any form of political dissent, using “thought crime” to suppress rebellious thoughts.
In this totalitarian regime, the Party believes that controlling the past controls the future, and controlling the present controls the past. Citizens are expected to believe in party-approved “facts” such as the absurdity that “2+2=5.”
Winston Smith, the protagonist, begins to rebel against the Party in secret, keeping a forbidden diary of his subversive thoughts. He craves justice and liberty, and his soul is troubled by the injustice he sees occurring all around him.
In a society that promotes war as a means of maintaining peace, freedom as a form of slavery, and ignorance as a source of strength, Winston seeks to find his truth.
This thought-provoking novel seamlessly blends politics and literature, making it a must-read for anyone interested in both. Its timeless themes continue to ring true with readers, compelling us to consider the dangers of authoritarianism and the value of individual rights.
I found 1984 to be an incredibly impactful and thought-provoking book. Its portrayal of a society controlled by an oppressive regime left a lasting impression on me.
In conclusion, George Orwell’s 1984 is a masterwork of political literature that is deserving of being read. His vivid representation of a totalitarian society serves as a stark warning about the dangers of unchecked government power.
By Adnan Dawood (Level-3 student at the School of Intensive Teaching)
A great and interesting novel I had never read very peaceful novel I really like it if someone is blend in politics and regme must have read it.