I think I understand this story

[healthyalt]

Hi, I just joined this forum today and I'm very happy to be here. I finished the book ,1984, last night and, when I finished, I had to let it all sink in then I felt more alive than I have in the recent past. I think I know what this story is trying to say. It's very extreme and, in some places, satire but it's true. We are living in a world of illusion.
I'll give you an example: a couple of years ago the price of petrol, in Australia, was under one dollar. It floated between 80 and 90 cents before the price skyrocketed overnight to $1.25 - $1.35 and everyone was outraged (at first). As time passed people became accustomed to the price rise. Some months later the price came down to $1.15 - $1.20 and I actually heard people saying, "Wow, the petrol's cheap now", and I thought to myself, 'don't they remember, it was less that one dolloar'.
It is a gradual process in reality but it does happen that people go through a kind of 'doublethink'. In the book it's overnight, I think, to make it an obvious point.
I had mixed emotions about the book while I read it. When I started it I thought it was interesting. When it looked like there was hope I though it was great. When Winston was caught and tortured I thought it was crap and terrible and I nearly put it down. When I came to the end I thought, "Wow, there is hope. We just have to stay vigillent and be aware of what is really going on and not just swallow what we're told.
Sometimes the truth is scary but, it's true what they say, "THE TRUTH WILL SET YOU FREE".
I don't know if anyone else agrees with me but I'm only saying it how I see it.

Chris

[The Atheist]

Hi, I just joined this forum today and I'm very happy to be here. I finished the book ,1984, last night and, when I finished, I had to let it all sink in then I felt more alive than I have in the recent past. I think I know what this story is trying to say. It's very extreme and, in some places, satire but it's true. We are living in a world of illusion.
I'll give you an example: a couple of years ago the price of petrol, in Australia, was under one dollar. It floated between 80 and 90 cents before the price skyrocketed overnight to $1.25 - $1.35 and everyone was outraged (at first). As time passed people became accustomed to the price rise. Some months later the price came down to $1.15 - $1.20 and I actually heard people saying, "Wow, the petrol's cheap now", and I thought to myself, 'don't they remember, it was less that one dolloar'.
It is a gradual process in reality but it does happen that people go through a kind of 'doublethink'. In the book it's overnight, I think, to make it an obvious point.
I had mixed emotions about the book while I read it. When I started it I thought it was interesting. When it looked like there was hope I though it was great. When Winston was caught and tortured I thought it was crap and terrible and I nearly put it down. When I came to the end I thought, "Wow, there is hope. We just have to stay vigillent and be aware of what is really going on and not just swallow what we're told.
Sometimes the truth is scary but, it's true what they say, "THE TRUTH WILL SET YOU FREE".
I don't know if anyone else agrees with me but I'm only saying it how I see it.

Chris

Nice post - always glad to see someone finding Orwell's wisdom.

[healthyalt]

Nice post - always glad to see someone finding Orwell's wisdom.

Thanks. I did and it was great.

[bazarov]

Nice post - always glad to see someone finding Orwell's wisdom.

If Atheist agrees about Orwell, then other opinions are pretty irrelevant.:lol: :lol:
Good point about petrol...

[bazarov]

We are living in a world of illusion.



In world without illusions, man is complete stranger - Albert Camus

[healthyalt]

In world without illusions, man is complete stranger - Albert Camus

What do you mean by that?

[bazarov]

Ask Camus, he said that!
Probably that we can't handle with reality...

[CountingSheep]

In world without illusions, man is complete stranger - Albert Camus


*head explodes*

[healthyalt]

In world without illusions, man is complete stranger - Albert Camus
I've searched for this quote but can't find it, however, I have my own theory. One story goes that we are supreme spiritual beings and have chosen to live the life we are in. So we make up our identity it becomes complete with fears, desires and so on. All of this, if the story were true, would be an illusion and, without it, we would have no identity and the stuff that goes along with it. Therefore we would be strangers, unkown to others and ourselves.

Just a theory.

[healthyalt]

"Always go too far, because that's where you'll find the truth." - Albert Camus

[trend]

hello i am currently reading this book and enjoying it soo much. i was curious if anyone here was online or will be online tonight that could answer a few of my questions i have through the reading so i can stay on track. email me at [email protected] to help out another fellow reader! :)

[bazarov]

I've searched for this quote but can't find it, however, I have my own theory. One story goes that we are supreme spiritual beings and have chosen to live the life we are in. So we make up our identity it becomes complete with fears, desires and so on. All of this, if the story were true, would be an illusion and, without it, we would have no identity and the stuff that goes along with it. Therefore we would be strangers, unkown to others and ourselves.

Just a theory.

I've translated it just for you! :)

[healthyalt]

You are very mysterious, Bazarov.

[The Atheist]

If Atheist agrees about Orwell, then other opinions are pretty irrelevant.:lol: :lol:
Good point about petrol...

Now there's a smart man! :)

[bazarov]

You are very mysterious, Bazarov.

Yes....