1984

(pub. 1949)

Webmaster's Note, 5/10/2007 - We have been informed by the rights holder that this work is still copyrighted in our territory. So we have removed it. You may still read our original summary though to the left.

Also commonly titled as Nineteen Eighty-Four

1984 is possibly the definitive dystopian novel, set in a world beyond our imagining. A world where totalitarianism really is total, all power split into three roughly equal groups--Eastasia, Eurasia, and Oceania. 1984 is set in Oceania, which includes the United Kingdom, where the story is set, known as Airstrip One.

Winston Smith is a middle-aged, unhealthy character, based loosely on Orwell's own frail body, an underling of the ruling oligarchy, The Party. The Party has taken early 20th century totalitarianism to new depths, with each person subjected to 24 hour surveillance, where people's very thoughts are controlled to ensure purity of the oligarchical system in place. Figurehead of the system is the omnipresent and omnipotent Big Brother.

But Winston believes there is another way.

1984 joins Winston as he sets about another day, where his job is to change history by changing old newspaper records to match with the new truth as decided by the Party.

"He who controls the past, controls the future" is a Party slogan to live by and it gives Winston his job, but Winston cannot see it like that. Barely old enough to recall a time when things were different, he sets out to expose the Party for the cynically fraudulent organisation that it is. He is joined by Julia, a beautiful young woman much in contrast with Winston physically, but equally sickened by the excesses of her rulers.

You will meet many recognisable characters, themes, and words which have become part of our everyday life as you read 1984. Where did Big Brother first appear? Certainly not on Australian TV! Written in Orwell's inimitable journalistic style, 1984 is a tribute to a man who saw the true dangers of historian Lord Acton's (1834-1902) statement: "Power corrupts; absolute power corrupts absolutely." -- Submitted by The Atheist.

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As Winston said, even if you are a minority of one it does not make you wrong.--Submitted by Anonymous.

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Winston Smith lives in a world very unlike the world of his forefathers. There have been atomic wars just thirty years in the past and some of his memories seem clouded as Winston is filled with doubt, almost as if the events did not happen at all. Winston feels he must put these thoughts down on paper or they will be forgotten forever. However,such a task is forbidden by the state controlled government. Winston decides to write his journal anyway. What transpires next in the novel is at the heart of what makes men able to exist with some degree of hope for the future. Winston's world is a very hopeless, unfriendly place.--Submitted by Tom Hickman.

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Orwell provides compelling reasons for the people of the 21st century to, much as we did in the 60's, question authority. Winston holds these thoughts dear but because of how society has been allowed to evolve he must be careful with even his own thoughts. You'll go with him as he meets Julia and as, against all odds, develops a relationship. Surprises abound in this unique and, at the time it was written, futuristic look at a world that has allowed itself to be taken over by an entity that we know even today as Big Brother. You'll find yourself asking how this man who wrote the novel in 1948 could possibly have such foresight into what would evolve into the world as we know it today. Similarities between life as we know it and life as Orwell foresaw abound. The book will cause you to look around yourself and question the policies of our government and the policies of global governments and how they impact our daily life. Definitely a compelling read !--Submitted by Anonymous.

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1984

In my opinion, 1984 is a book more for adults and young adults in college. 1984 is a very slow read, and tough to understand at times. The book dragged on i felt, and i would not recomend it for high school kids with short attention spans. The book was very predictable once you got through a good part of it, and it was almost pointless to continue reading.

Posted By peguin229 at Wed 7 Dec 2011, 10:16 AM in 1984 || 0 Replies

1984

I think that 1984 is a great book and it should be read both in high school and in college. It is a great book and George Orwell warns you about many things. Although his writing is a little difficult I believe that high school student can handle it. :thumbsup:

Posted By OrwellianTiger at Wed 7 Dec 2011, 7:12 AM in 1984 || 1 Reply

1984 after thoughts

I believe this book is a good read in high school. It shows us how if were not careful society could end up like that. Even though the book is sometimes hard to understand and the messages not easily gotten, I believe this book should still be read in high school.

Posted By The Philosopher at Wed 7 Dec 2011, 6:53 AM in 1984 || 0 Replies

1984

Although 1984 made a very good point about the government, and George Orwell got a lot right, I would not recommend this book to anyone. In my opinion you get the concept of the book by the time your halfway through and reading the rest is basically pointless because you don't learn anything new. I found most of the book to be quite boring and if it was up to me I would have stopped reading it after the first page. Also, I found that a majority of the time I would have finished reading a page and not even understand what I just read. I think that if I were to have read this book in college I would have enjoyed it more than reading it in high school.

Posted By cool-story-bro at Wed 7 Dec 2011, 6:14 AM in 1984 || 2 Replies

1984 by George Orwell

Recently i have finished reading the book 1984. In my opinion i thought the book was good. I think Orwell forsaw the future generations to come and had a good understanding on how they would turn out to be. I think that 1984 should be read in highschools. The book goes into great detail about the generations to come and how they are entertained, what the important things in their life are... etc. orwell is trying to get his point of the world is not going to last when all people care about is what other people are doing and materialistic. i think this is a good lesson to learn when you are in highschool.

Posted By hunter/jumper at Wed 7 Dec 2011, 5:48 AM in 1984 || 0 Replies

My Opinion

When I first picked up 1984 in my English class, I have to be honest, it was unimpressive at first. The beginning to me was basically a man whining about the government. However, right around the time Winston met Julia, things started to get interesting. From that part on, I really liked the book, especially the whole idea of a beyond totalitarian government. I also like some of Winston's ideas, mostly his idea that the Proles are the only hope left. The best part, in my humble opinion was Room 101. It is where almost every victory of BB takes place. You face your worst fears, something we can all relate to. All in all, this book was good, a little boring at times, but otherwise a classic. :party:

Posted By TherealGO at Tue 6 Dec 2011, 8:39 PM in 1984 || 0 Replies

My opinion on 1984.

I believe 1984 is a great book. I was required to read it as a sophomore in high school. I believe it is a book better read when guided by someone who has already read it. Often you find yourself transfixed in this world. Oceania being the origin of the main character, you hear a lot about it. This new world consisting telescreens, artisem, and few individual opinions pulls together to grab you in. It is a book you can barely put down. When it ends you want more. I believe this book is better read in high school, then later read in college. Maybe cover basics in high school then go in depth in college. Overall I believe 1984 is a great book.

Posted By Deutsch3 at Tue 6 Dec 2011, 6:56 PM in 1984 || 0 Replies

1984

I like the book 1984 because of the vivid details and interesting topics. I believe this book was a portal into the future when it was first written and it was very close to some of the things that are actually going on today! :seeya:

Posted By ChocolateCake at Tue 6 Dec 2011, 6:09 PM in 1984 || 0 Replies

Let's think here.

People argue constantly whether 1984 should be read and studied in high school, or in college. My opinion is that it should be studied twice, once in high school and once in college. In high school, you may not understand or be able to comprehend the book, you may also not be mature enough for it. The upside is that it does teach you valuable things to think about until you study the book a second time in college to fully understand them differently. :party:

Posted By queeny at Tue 6 Dec 2011, 6:03 PM in 1984 || 0 Replies

My views on 1984

1984 I believe was written as a series of warnings. Although some have not come true some have come pretty close. I enjoyed this book because it showed the possibility of what our society could be one day.

Posted By uuuummm87 at Tue 6 Dec 2011, 5:35 PM in 1984 || 0 Replies

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1984

(pub. 1949)

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