Dystopian warning on totalitarianism.

🛒 1984 by George Orwell Kinokuniya MY | Amazon Paperback | Amazon Kindle | Amazon Audible

Book Details

• 1984 by George Orwell

• Published in 8 June, 1949

• 368 pages

• Classics, Politics, Fiction, Sci-Fi, Dystopian, Literature

Atmosphere

Be ready as this book is quite intense. If you’ve watched and like Black Mirror on Netflix, this is for you!

Oppressive, bleak, and suffocating; a world under constant surveillance and control where individuality is suppressed.

A gist of thoughts

Potrays a dystopian world where totalitarianism reigns. It warns of the dangers of unchecked government power, surveillance, and the erosion of individual freedom. You are being watched by Big Brother at all times, you can only use Newspeak language, if you are challenging the status quo you will be charged for commiting Thoughtcrime and you are only allowed to believe/ to comply what was said by the government. This book serves as a stark reminder of the importance of resisting oppression and defending democratic values.

Favourite quotes, words & others

The image I found and added to the blog serves as an illustrative representation to help convey the essence of what I read.

The book annotations (few of many that I annotated)

Disturbing quotes

1. "War is peace. Freedom is slavery. Ignorance is strength."

2. "Big Brother is watching you."

3. "Thoughtcrime does not entail death: thoughtcrime IS death."

4. "Orthodoxy means not thinking—not needing to think. Orthodoxy is unconsciousness."

5. "If you want a picture of the future, imagine a boot stamping on a human face—forever."

6. "Power is not a means; it is an end. One does not establish a dictatorship in order to safeguard a revolution; one makes the revolution in order to establish the dictatorship."

7. "We shall meet in the place where there is no darkness."

Favourite and reflective quotes

1. "Who controls the past controls the future. Who controls the present controls the past."

2. "Freedom is the freedom to say that two plus two make four. If that is granted, all else follows."

3. "In the face of pain there are no heroes."

4. "If you want to keep a secret, you must also hide it from yourself."

5. "The best books... are those that tell you what you know already."

6. "Until they become conscious they will never rebel, and until after they have rebelled they cannot become conscious."

7. “He gazed up at the enormous face. Forty years it had taken him to learn what kind of smile was hidden beneath the dark moustache. O cruel, needless misunderstanding! O stubborn, self-willed exile from the loving breast! Two gin-scented tears trickled down the sides of his nose. But it was all right, everything was all right, the struggle was finished. He had won the victory over himself."

   These quotes below delve into the complexities of power, control, and the human condition, prompting readers to reflect on the nature of truth, freedom, and individuality in society.

8. "Perhaps one did not want to be loved so much as to be understood."

9. "Reality exists in the human mind, and nowhere else."

10. "The choice for mankind lies between freedom and happiness and for the great bulk of mankind, happiness is better."

11. "The masses never revolt of their own accord, and they never revolt merely because they are oppressed. Indeed, so long as they are not permitted to have standards of comparison, they never even become aware that they are oppressed."

12. "Power is not a means; it is an end."

13. "War is peace. Freedom is slavery. Ignorance is strength."

My reflections

The Universe

Orwell successfully depicted a dystopian world dominated by three totalitarian superstates: Oceania, Eurasia, and Eastasia (refer image : Map). The story primarily unfolds within Oceania, an oppressive regime led by the enigmatic figure known as Big Brother.

The Government

Is called the Party, led by Big Brother, exercises absolute control over every aspect of its citizens' lives. The Party's ideology, known as Ingsoc (English Socialism), is enforced through pervasive surveillance, propaganda, and brutal repression. The government employs technology, such as telescreens and microphones, to monitor citizens' every move and word, fostering an atmosphere of paranoia and fear. The society is characterized by perpetual war, where the Party manipulates conflicts with other superstates to maintain power and justify its authoritarian rule. Historical records are constantly altered to suit the Party's narrative, and independent thought, or "thoughtcrime," is ruthlessly suppressed.

The Language

Primary language used is English. However, within the fictional world of Oceania, the ruling Party introduces a new language called Newspeak. Newspeak is designed to restrict freedom of thought and expression by reducing the range of words and concepts that individuals can use to communicate. It aims to eliminate words associated with dissent or rebellion, thereby making it difficult or impossible for individuals to articulate ideas that challenge the Party's authority. Newspeak embodies the Party's control over language and serves as a tool for maintaining its totalitarian regime.

The People

The population is subjected to indoctrination and psychological manipulation from a young age, through institutions like the Junior Spies and the Thought Police. Individuality and free expression are seen as threats to the Party's control and are consequently eradicated.

Living conditions are grim, with shortages of basic necessities and widespread poverty. The citizens of Oceania endure a life of constant surveillance, deprivation, and oppression, where even personal relationships and emotions are subject to the scrutiny of the Party.

The rules

1. Thoughtcrime: The mere act of having unorthodox thoughts or beliefs that challenge the Party's ideology is punishable by death or imprisonment.

2. Newspeak: The Party introduces Newspeak, a new language designed to eliminate words and concepts deemed unnecessary or subversive. Newspeak aims to control thought by limiting the range of language available to citizens.

3. Surveillance: Citizens are under constant surveillance through telescreens and microphones, ensuring that any dissent or deviation from Party orthodoxy is quickly detected and punished.

4. Doublethink: Citizens are expected to simultaneously accept contradictory beliefs or statements, such as "War is peace" and "Freedom is slavery," demonstrating their loyalty to the Party over rationality.

5. Obedience to Big Brother: The Party's leader, Big Brother, is revered as a god-like figure, and citizens are expected to display unwavering loyalty and devotion to him.

6. Rewriting History: The Party controls the past by continuously altering historical records and documents to fit its current narrative, ensuring that its version of events is unquestioned and unchallenged.

7. Sexcrime : ny sexual activity outside of marriage and for purposes other than reproduction is deemed "sexcrime" and severely punished, potentially leading to imprisonment or death, often in a public spectacle. This rule reflects the Party's broader efforts to suppress individuality and maintain control over its citizens' lives.

8. Prohibition of Individuality: Any form of individual expression or creativity is discouraged and suppressed, as the Party seeks to mold citizens into obedient and conformist subjects.

My thoughts

I thoroughly enjoyed reading 1984; it's indeed a bleak and nightmarish vision of a society ruled by totalitarianism, where individuals are crushed under the powerful state. Our main character, Winston, works for the government but secretly rebels against its oppressive regime. Through his eyes, I could see how life in Oceania was intense, suffocating, and limited. Winston feels trapped in a world where every move and word is monitored by the surveillance apparatus (Telescreens— I couldn't agree more on how gadgets in our modern days serve as advanced surveillance tools). He feels powerless and yearns for a sense of autonomy and individuality. Then, he embarks on a journey towards rebellion, become sexually engages with Julia (Ministry co-worker), someone who he reveals his dreams of freedom. After O’brien, another member who reveal himself as rebellion and gave Winston a book that promises liberation, Winston become obsess with liberation and rebellion. This is when he starts to encounter challenges, betrayals, and moments of hope in that universe. His experience represents a pure human desire for freedom.

This book is also about survival that forces one to betray friendship and love. It was intense to witness how in Room 101, Winston is relentlessly tortured by his worst fear - rats - until he eventually forsakes his loyalty and love for Julia.

Despite the warnings mentioned in "1984," some aspects of today's world seem to have advanced beyond what was depicted in the novel. Here are a few examples:

1. Surveillance Technology: While "1984" portrays a society under constant surveillance through telescreens and microphones, today's surveillance technology has advanced significantly with the widespread use of smartphones, social media platforms, and CCTV cameras. These technologies allow for more sophisticated monitoring and tracking of individuals' activities and behaviors.

2. Internet and Information Access: In "1984," the Party controls information and manipulates historical records to suit its narrative. However, the internet has democratized access to information, enabling people to access diverse perspectives and fact-check information more easily. Despite concerns about misinformation and censorship, empowered individuals to share knowledge and challenge official narratives; the rise of “fake news”, “intense propaganda” are still real in today’s world.

3. Communication Technology: In Oceania, communication is tightly controlled, and individuals are isolated from one another. In contrast, today's world is interconnected through digital communication platforms, allowing people to connect and collaborate across geographical boundaries. Social media, messaging apps, and video conferencing tools enable instant communication and collaboration on a global scale.

4. Medical and Scientific Advancements: "1984" depicts a society where science and technology are primarily utilized for control and manipulation. Despite the media's portrayal of significant advancements in today's medical and scientific fields aimed at improving quality of life and expanding our understanding of the universe, there are concerns that some of these advancements may also be used for control and manipulation. It's important to remain cautious and critically evaluate the potential implications of these advancements

5. Social Progress: While "1984" portrays a dystopian society marked by oppression and conformity, today's world has made strides in promoting diversity, equality, and human rights. Movements for social justice, LGBTQ+ rights, and environmental sustainability have gained momentum, challenging oppressive systems and advocating for positive change. However, the question is, whether these movements are genuinely positive or are designed to shape minds towards a certain conformity? It’s something for you to reflect on

My takeaways from this book are based on deep reflections of the 1984 universe versus today's reality. I strongly feel that this book will remain relevant and it's important for everyone to read:

• Pay attention if the government is taking too much control and not letting people have their rights.

• Ask questions when things don’t seem right and don’t believe everything you’re told.

• Make sure everyone can say what they think without getting in trouble.

• Be yourself, even if others want you to act like them.

• Stand up for people who are treated badly by leaders.

• Be kind and support each other when things are tough.

• Tell others why it’s important to know the truth and hold leaders responsible.

• Make sure everyone knows what really happened in the past.

• Work together to make sure everyone has a fair chance and can be free and safe.

Rating ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

5.0 Stars, Dumbledore's Wisdom! A pure wizardry experience. This is definitely a memorable book that depicted a dystopian world, which I felt subtly similar to the world we are living in now; the surveillance and control, the manipulation of truth, the erosion of civil liberties (hello, censorship!). Definitely a profound thought-provoking reads, the world-building is impeccable, sharp, and eerily relevant even 70+ years after it was written ~ this made me question everything I've been fed since school, the nature of power, the truth (what is truth?), and freedom (wha does freedom really looks like?). It's a thought-provoking read that requires some non-lazy thinking to truly grasp the messages it conveys. And let's not forget the taboo themes explored that deeply resonate with our world today.

The character development, particularly that of Winston, is exceptionally well-crafted. He has his own flaws and that’s a perfect character to learn from. His progression through the harrowing existence in Oceania prompts profound feelings of empathy and introspection.

This book should definitely be added to school literature. Children need to be educated on the realities of the modern world. It's a timeless classic that everyone should read.

Definitely a timeless classic.

Related booknotes : Julia, 1984

Here’s how I rate books I read #feminism #strongfemalecharacter #dystopian #australianauthor

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