What is the main idea of 1984?

[deludeddiana]

Can any of you good people tell me the main idea of the book 1984? Please,will you help?

[bazarov]

On couple of websites I've read that Orwell wants to warn us about totalitarian regimes. I disagree with that; I think he used Animal Farm for that in a brilliant satirical way.
I think that the main idea is to warn us about consequences of loosing our freedom and our mind, no matter do we realize that or we don't. Although you can say he was maybe too pessimistic, he pretty got the point. He wanted to warn us what kind of world are we creating actually without noticing it; society which rules and controls are totally, no matter is it love, work or anything else. OK, surely totalitarian regime was and is bad thing and Orwell was pointing on it, but it could also happen in any western democracy. Actually, it's happening; according to our Western members.

[The Atheist]

As usual, spot on, Bazarov!

The only thing of importance you missed is the place of language in the thought-control process. Orwell had discussed the idea previously in Politics and the English Language and he expands on it in 1984, showing the mechanism of how it could work to destroy seditious thought.

[bazarov]

Yes, you're right.

I should probably search for his other works in coming time.

[deludeddiana]

But then, what would the main theme be? Your thoughts bazarov are right. I see where your getting it from, but where the hell my thoughts fall in is utterly unsolvable. Thank you Athesist, the thought control process was an needed ingredient for this society. I was told that was the theme to this story. I really hate my teacher right now, she hasn't even taught us the right things. Hopefully, I can find a theme to this story soon.

[bazarov]

You can't say that there is only one theme in this story. Maybe something like society you would never like to see but you're probably seeing it right now. Sounds like Hollywood :D

[deludeddiana]

Yeah, it kinda of does. I was hoping to find the main theme, but my teacher wouldn't know the theme for she hasn't even read it. That theme works, but I will find a theme myself. Thank you bazarov for your help.

[GrayFoxDown]

Can any of you good people tell me the main idea of the book 1984? Please,will you help?

The main idea behind 1984 is when government attains a dictatorial control over Thought and Reality itself. It's not enough to merely suppress a person's liberties and freedoms with edicts or barbwire while his/her potential for thoughts and emotions remain. A totalitarian regime must have virtual control over EVERY ASPECT of a person's external existence (objectivity) that his internal existence (subjectivity) maintains a natural tendency towards.

Big Brother doesn't only enslave its citizens, it MENTALLY EMBODIES them; instead of "one Nation under God," it's a system of one THOUGHT under Big Brother! When Winston Smith wants to know who Big Brother is, O'Brien replies that he is. It's not that O'Brien alone is Big Brother, but rather he's locked in Oneness with Big Brother. Winston Smith fails to adapt (traces of his humanity remain lodged within him) and he's destroyed by a Utopian society that denies its own humanity.

I hope this was of some help to you,
GFD:)

[MarkBastable]

"You can't fight City Hall."

[pdfaulkner]

We must fight city hall....we live only on ths surface...we are the proles... we are Boxer...we are the work horses...we work to survive...we have no voice.