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1984


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(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

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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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Recent Forum Posts on 1984

Meaning of "War is Peace" (pg 199)

On page 199, in the chapter where Winston is reading the Goldstein book, there is the line: "A peace that was truly permanent would be the same as a permanent war." This is torturing me because it appears to contradict the case Orwell has made previously that war is necessary to keep the hierarchy of society intact, by way of destruction of material goods and the resulting scarcity. And war also creates the climate of fear which keeps the masses distracted and vulnerable. So permanent peace would not be the same, as there would be no means for preserving the hierarchy, right? Unless he just means that permanent war and permanent peace each create a stable world order (though with much different outcomes)? Anyone??

Posted By DougSlug at Thu 19 Aug 2010, 11:11 PM in 1984 || 2 Replies

Need help with understanding an essay prompt (about 1984).

Could someone delete this please?

Posted By shawie990909348 at Wed 28 Jul 2010, 2:12 PM in 1984 || 0 Replies

1984 Essay Book Banned

Hey there guys! Im new here and I am in great need of help. My class recently read 1984 and for our final we have to write and essay on the book my teacher gave us a list of choices. I picked "1984 has been banned a few times,Mostly from schools, What about the book and its ideas would cause people to be so strongly against it?. Do some research on the banning of the book" well I had no problem with that I used the all mighty internet but its all the same thing Ive read it has been banned in Russia. Also a county in Florida had attempted to ban it but that's not enough information for my essay can someone please help me out if I dont pass the finial I wont graduate. Thank you.

Posted By jman199 at Tue 25 May 2010, 4:43 PM in 1984 || 1 Reply

Did Orwell ever use the phrase "State broken people"?

I'm trying to find the original source for a quote that's been attributed to George Orwell. The phrase is "State-broken people". The context would be of a population that had been so thoroughly subjugated by the State that their collective will had been broken. The concept of such a state-broken people is of course present in 1984, but not the phrase itself. Is anyone here familiar with its use in another Orwell work, or in his letters, or can you suggest any other resources where I might track it down? Thanks in advance for any help you can offer. --Jason

Posted By jbsjbs at Tue 25 May 2010, 9:39 AM in 1984 || 1 Reply

Few questions

Hi. I could use some help to answer these few questions: 1. Winston has hopes for the future – how and by whom does he believe that the society can be changed? Explain why and support your views. 2. Describe how the character Winston changes and develops throughout the novel. Support your ideas with quotes and references. 3. Choose one adjective which you feel describes the novel in the best way and argue why you feel that it is so. Thanks alot!

Posted By zolthie at Wed 19 May 2010, 7:38 AM in 1984 || 1 Reply

Alternate Media of Orwell's Text

Hello, My name is Margaret Noble and I am an artist and teacher who works in media art. I am writing to share a project I am developing which is inspired by an old vinyl recording of Orwell's novel 1984. As an artist who uses samples and media, I have found Orwell's text and today's media to be fertile ground for artistic expression. I am weaving together a new experimental radio work that is a musical narrative retelling. I am writing to introduce the project, find support for this work and to spread the word. The work connects strongly with human rights and will benefit Amnesty International. Although this note may appear a bit "spammish," I invite you to take a look and see what you think. The work supports human rights, new contemporary art and the continuation of Orwell's message. http://kck.st/aP1SQr Or, please take a look by searching in Google: "Margaret Noble George Orwell" Thanks for reading!!! I hope to hear from you!!! Sincerely, Margaret

Posted By margaretnoble at Thu 13 May 2010, 3:09 PM in 1984 || 1 Reply

1984 Essay

So for my literature class i'm supposed to write a 4-6 page essay on Nineteen Eighty-Four and i was wondering if anyone could help me come up with an interesting topic for the essay. The essay can be about pretty much anything as long as my teacher approves the topic.

Posted By Cygnus X-2112 at Sun 9 May 2010, 3:58 PM in 1984 || 3 Replies

1984 Topic Selection Help

I need some help on these 3 Topics, Just a few comments that could make me understand it better . 1.‘Winston’s relationship with Julia is ultimately responsible for his fate.’ 2. ‘The story of Nineteen Eighty Four engages us as readers, however its social criticism is disturbing.’ Discuss 3. ‘In Nineteen Eighty Four, Orwell has created a bleak picture of the future and a world without hope.’ How has he Achieved this?

Posted By IveyIveyIvey23 at Sun 11 Apr 2010, 7:04 AM in 1984 || 4 Replies

can someone help me out?

what are the roles of truth in 1984? please help me =]

Posted By mannyrockz at Mon 29 Mar 2010, 12:53 AM in 1984 || 0 Replies

Help with outline

I need help with writing the outline for my literary criticism paper on 1984. I really just need an example so I can see how it should look. I had found one I wanted to use when I was doing my thesis statement but I don't know where it is anymore. The theme I am working on is the government taking away the life of the citizens' through the use of psychological and physical torture, constantly changing past and present information, and narrowing the language with newspeak and the concept of doublethink. I'm not even sure which order these should go in. I actually like and hate this book because it makes me think so much to the point where I overthink the whole thing so I really want to do good on this. I had a similar problem with my thesis statement. Any help will be greatly appreciated. P.S. I know I posted in another thread with this but nobody has responded and this is really important.

Posted By awalker0424 at Sun 28 Feb 2010, 9:19 PM in 1984 || 1 Reply

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