1984 By George Orwell

 Books on Communism and Totalitarianism, part 3

In my previous post I wrote about George Orwell's novel  'Animal Farm'. It talks about communist rule turning into a totalitarian regime and how power corrupts people's mind. The third book I would like to write about is also a dystopian novel by George Orwell, 1984. George Orwell's two most important works in this genre defined the modern dystopian literature. He received Prometheus Award for both 1984 and Animal Farm. The term Orwellian is sometimes used to refer to authoritative and totalitarian regime. His novels were written during world war II which was mainly attributed to rise of unchecked totalitarian powers(Hitler, Stalin and Mussolini). 

1984 By George Orwell

George Orwell was a novelist, literary critic, poet and a journalist. He is commonly ranked as one of the most powerful writers and chroniclers of 20th century. He was ranked second on the list of  the "50 greatest British Writers since 1945" by the Times Magazine.

The novel describes the life of Mr. Winston Smith and others in the country of  'Oceania' ruled by a totalitarian regime which dictates every aspects of lives of its citizen. 

"BIG BROTHER IS WATCHING YOU"

 The totalitarian state is symbolized by "Big Brother". The terms such as this introduced by George Orwell is popularly used even today i.e 60 years after it was used first.

It was state in which even thinking about something which the "Big Brother" didn't approve of was a crime (thoughtcrime). The 'Thought police' monitored everyone.

Here the criminals who committed crimes against the regime were not just punished but were erased off the records, literally.

With the thoughtcrime, doublethink, Ministry of Truth, the telescreen,the Thought Police etc. It was a scary world indeed, a world where Winston couldn't have lived any longer. The very thought that the people were being spied on the whole day (the telescreen) and given instructions to be carried out every hour so makes me sick. The regime spied on its citizens using telescreen and spies.

1984 Cover

The high point of the story came when the seemingly friendly Mr.Charrington betrayed Mr.winston,
"The house is surrounded", said Winston.
"The house is surrounded", said the voice. 
That moment when he was betrayed by Mr. Charrington was a spine-chilling one. The Thought Police were everywhere..

"He gazed up at the enormous face. Fourty years it had taken him to learn what kind of smile was hidden beneath the dark mustache..."
This book made me realise that the most cruel thing that can happen to man is not physical torture or being murdered or anything else. But loss of freedom and privacy . 

Conclusion: 

This was a very different book from what I had been reading till now. It was a good read indeed!

My original ratings on goodreads.

If you haven't read other posts in the series check this :

Books on Communism and Totalitarianism, part 1

Books on Communism and Totalitarianism, part 2