The Atheist
Orwellian

Ah yeah, I see it now...just wanted to make sure I was on the right track.
But still curious: did Orwell ever explicitly say 1984 was his prophecy, or is that just a general consensus among readers?

It was a warning against totalitarianism. He was quite explicit on his reasons for writing it as he saw totalitarianism as the biggest threat to freedom.

Hey Atheist,
You seem to be quite the Orwell scholar, as such, I have a question for you. You mentioned that 1984 was not meant to be a prophecy, correct? What then do you think was the purpose of 1984 (in Orwell's mind, at least)?

http://www.online-literature.com/for...023#post728023

I just got into Orwell by reading him.

I'll go have a look at that thread, can't figure how I missed it!

Orwell is fascinating. I haven't read animal farm since I was in 5th grade but I'm definately going to read it again. I absolutely loved 1984!!
Oh, I posted a question in the Room 101 thread...I don't think anyone's responded

Did you ever teach classes on Orwell? How did you get so into his work?

We do have an Orwell social group - it's called the Orwell sub-forum!



So far, only Bazarov is a full-timer, but there are several others who are always looking at the threads, BievenueJDC, Virgil, most of the blokes in the Blokes' thread, funnily enough.

As far as discussion goes - just open a thread on "1984" or whatever title you like in the 1984 sub-forum. You don't even need to have a set of questions first, and it's probably better if you don't, because things will occur to you as we go along.

And yes, I admit to being an Orwell freak!

I find reading Orwell is like watching a master craftsman at work, but being written words, you can do it hour after hour.

Since you seem to be the authority (and quite rightfully so) on all things Orwell on this forum, I have some questions for you about 1984 which I finished reading recently and profusely enjoyed. There are so many threads on this book and not all my questions are focused on one particualar subject matter so I'm not sure where to post, exactly. Although I suppose my first step would be how to most clearly form and ask my questions. My mind and writing have become increasingly disjointed as I'm getting older and I have found myself to have trouble properly articulating my meaning sometimes. I'm surprised you haven't started an Orwellian social group yet :P

Haha! Cheers.

Yeah, I think we can have sensible discussions. I've only ever found one poster I can't be bothered with and I just don't bother reading his posts.

Hope we can get a place to talk about politics, though.

I would like to take a chance to thank you for one thing that I have never seen you do here. You have never disrespected my beliefs. I would assume from your name that you believe that there is no God. I am a practicing Christian...obviously I would believe in God. I have the highest respect that you have never taken the chance to belittle my belief in God.
There are others in forums (that have no literary connection whatsoever... i.e. prayer in school) that have been very disrespectful to those people that have a different viewpoint on God and religion. I won't mention any names... you can read it and find out that they exist. I personally think that the thread should be closed, but I realize that it is partially my own fault for posting there myself. If I don't like what they then I shouldn't go to the thread.
I would love to be able to discuss aspects of 1984...or Animal Farm...or other politically based novels with you and others. If we disagree on anything, then I will respect you to have your opinion. If we agree, then we can take pleasure/comfort/or whatever we want to take...in that. Furthermore, if anyone does not want to... or does not think that they can handle political discussion... or has proven that they cannot handle political discussion... then they need to just leave the political discussion thread alone.
These are my thoughts... and again, thank you for being respectful. ...and you run a great bar... even if I don't think. Hmpf... you've never even disrespected me for being an American...