1984 (Signet Classics) by George Orwell
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Book Reviews of 1984 (Signet Classics)
Book Review: Greatest Novel of All Time?
Summary: 5 Stars
A case can certainly be made that 1984 is the greatest novel ever written. We know that the Modern Library infamously dubbed Ulysses the greatest novel of the last century even though most people find it completely unreadable. Too many critics and members of the intelligentsia equate impenetrability with greatness, probably thinking that the greatest novels must be aimed only at the gifted few.1984 lacks snob appeal and it is shockingly readable. I guess this is why it gets dissed with the #13 ranking on that list. Of course, my own criteria are different. In my opinion, the greatest novels should at the very least be great reads. Nothing is more audacious or ambitious than setting out to write a page turner that happens to carry a thought-provoking and devastating message. Or, put another way, what's the point of burying your message in a book that no one can read? I've never read Ulysses, but I think I can say that 1984 is simply a better novel because part of what a novel must do is thread its message through a plot that the reader actually can and wants to follow.
1984 is a thriller. It is part sci-fi and part fantasy. But of course its is meant to convey the feel of an actual political system that dominated half the globe at the time of its writing. Unlike Animal Farm, which is kind of a roman a clef of the Russian Revolution, the events and characters of 1984 are not meant to correspond directly to events and persons in the Soviet Union in the late 40's. Big Brother is, of course, Stalin. But that comparison is easier to make in retrospect since no Soviet leader was nearly as Big Brother-like as Stalin. But I imagine that Big Brother is meant to evoke any totalitarian leader rather than a particular one. The fact that 1984 does not simply follow history is a major strength since it allows Orwell's imagination to run wild.
As you read 1984, you experience the oppression that a citizen in a totalitarian state must feel every day. Orwell conveys many of the brutal tactics of such a state: the neverending assault of propaganda, the isolation of individuals, the destruction of truth and memory. And all in service of a great plot.
Perhaps the reason that a book like Ulysses outranks 1984 is that 1984 is ultimately not about a big enough subject. Ulysses after all is about "consciousness," or something like that. While 1984 is a perfect evocation of the central political story of the 20th Century, maybe that's just not ambitious enough. But I submit that 1984 is about something much larger. It is about the power of language and the power to control others through language. Central to the plot, of course, is the regime's creation of newspeak and the goal of constantly reducing the number of words available to the citizenry. Simply, the book equates words with freedom, which is a pretty big idea.
Anyhow, when I first read 1984, I thought there were two flaws: First, I thought that the "reprinting" of Emmanuel Goldberg's manuscript was unecessary since it was really just a rehash of things Winston already knew and which were already confirmed to the reader. That part slows the pace of the novel. I still think that's a flaw. The other problem I had was that Orwell ultimately abandons the pitch-black humor that he injects throughout the first two thirds of the book. I no longer have a problem with that. Simply you can't have your cake and eat it. The ending is what it is and it works.
Another interesting thought about the ending is this. In retrospect we know the actual fate of the Soviet Union. We know that if a totalitarian system develops a few cracks it must ultimately collapse. But in 1949, the Soviet Union probably looked as impregnable and invincible as Oceania. Which would make this book that much more chilling if read when it first came out.
Finally, I'm not sure if 1984 is the greatest novel of all time. It may not even be my favorite. But certainly a case can be made for putting it at the top of the all-time list.
Book Review: Frighteningly realistic, and brilliant
Summary: 5 Stars
1984 offers a brilliant foreshadowing of the world we are coming to. The inhabitants of Airstrip One, or London, are constantly under the watchful eye of Big Brother, the semi-divine and metaphorical leader of the party. All citizens of Oceania, one of three superpowers in the world (the other two being Eastasia and Eurasia) worship Big Brother. The slogans of the party are War is peace, Freedom is slavery, and Ignorance is strength. You can see all of these things in today's America. George Bush told the nation that he was entering into a very long term war that would lead to peace in the middle east. Sound familiar? Meanwhile, the government, in order to ultimately protect our rights, has passed bills such as the Patriot Act, which allows the government to tap into our phone conversations and even enter and search our homes without a warrant. This clearly and directly infringes on our fourth amendment rights, which states "The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause..." And in today's society, there is certain knowledge that the general public is better off not knowing about. Who knows what the government is really up to? But if the general public knew all of the coverups the government has committed over the decades, the nation would panic and riot. The three slogans of the party, as predicted by George Orwell are very true today.
The citizens of Oceania all believe in the party and in its slogans. They all wear blue overalls and conform to the party's principles. Much of the book is a shot at communism. This is evident in the fact that there are no laws in Oceania, yet you can be put to death for exercising free speech. Here Orwell was attempting to point out the hypocrisy of communism, the whole idea of "do your own thing, but only within what your comrades limit you to," and I think he succeeded.
In Airstrip One, there are four ministries which are the headquarters of the party. They are the Ministry of Love, the Ministry of Truth, the Ministry of Peace, and the Ministry of Plenty. One of the main principles of the party, Doublethink, is in full effect here. Doublethink is the practice in which someone simultaneaously believes two contradictory things for the benefit of the party. It is a common practice for any party loyalist. This applies to the ministries because they each concern themselves with just the opposite of their names. Love with torture,truth with lying,peace with war, and plenty with poverty. A loyalist must be able to practice doublethink because often times the party will state two contradictory things both as truth, and you must believe everything the party says. Doublethink is a fundamental practice of a partymember.
But there is one man in the book who does not conform to this way of life. His name is Winston Smith. All through his life,he knew something was wrong with the way the world was. He would try to think back to when the world wasn't like this but he could never remember it. He knew that the party was not infallible as was the common belief. He stood and cheered at the news of a victory by the Oceanian army, but his heart was never in it. He thought he was alone.
Then he met a young woman. He hated her because of her party pride. She proudly wore her Junior-Anti sex league sash and imploded at the sight of Emmanuel Goldstein, the leader of an association of anti-party advocates. But after a while he finds that she's not what she seems...
Ok. If you're still reading this, which you're probably not, I'm not going to give away any more. But I strongly suggest that everyone read this book. It not only got me way into politics and the Libertarian cause for individual freedom, but it changed my life. Peace and go to www.lp.org
Book Review: Freedom is Slavery
Summary: 5 Stars
George Orwell, whose real name is Eric Blair, was born in India in 1903. He served in Burma with the India Imperial Police and spent the end of the 1920s living in Paris. He later fought for the Republicans against Franco in the Spanish Civil War. He became well-known with the publication of "Animal Farm", a satire on Soviet Russia. He died in January 1950, shortly after the publication of "1984".
"1984" is set in London, the chief city of Airstrip One and the third most populous of Oceania's states. Oceania is one of the world's three great powers - the others being Eurasia and Eastasia - and is constantly at war with at least on of its neighbors. Although the roles of enemy and ally change regularly, the change is never officially acknowledged : if Oceania is at war with Eastasia, then it has always been at war with Eastasia. The Party rules Oceania through four ministries. These include the Ministry of Peace (which deals with the war effort), the Ministry of Plenty (responsible for economic affairs and shortages) and the Ministry of Truth (responsible for all forms of propaganda - including news, education and entertainment). However, the Ministry of Love - which deals with law and order - is the really scary one. Heavily fortified and guarded, it is home to the dreaded Thought Police and is impossible to enter except on official business. Oceania's official language is Newspeak, an updated version of English with a vastly reduced vocabulary. Without the words to express an 'undesirable' thought, 'thoughtcrime' will become literally impossible. It is expected to have totally replaced Oldspeak, or standard English, by 2050.
The Party is led by Big Brother, and all good things come as a direct result of his leadership. His image stares down from every wall, and he is widely viewed as a savior and protector. His nemesis is Emmanuel Goldstein, who was once a leading member of the Party before betraying the cause. He is now the 'Enemy of the People', and commander of the Brotherhood : a mysterious army dedicated to he overthrow of the Party and State.
The book's hero is Winston Smith - he is reasonably sure he is thirty-nine, and that the year is 1984 (though that is not entirely certain). A member of the Party, he works in the Records Department at the Ministry of Truth and lives at Victory Mansions. Although his position brings certain perks - certainly in comparison to the proles - life is bleak. Many items - including food, razor blades and boots - are in short supply, and his home - despite its name - is an old, rundown block of flats. In every room throughout Airstrip One, telescreens are installed. Although similar to televisions, they can only be dimmed but never switched off. They not only receive programmes, but also transmit to the Ministry of Truth - meaning the Thought Police can monitor whoever they like whenever they like. Winston is officially married, although he has been separated for nearly eleven years. Marriages between Party members have to be approved by a committee, though any attraction is apparently frowned upon. Sex is an act widely viewed with disgust, while sexual immorality is known as 'sexcrime'. Winston's life changes when he starts keeping a diary. This is not technically illegal, though - when caught - he knows it could be punishable by death.
Generally, I don't like making blanket recommendations, but "1984" is one of the few exceptions. While it is a grim book, everybody should read at some point. Some see it, like "Animal Farm", as a satire on the USSR - Big Brother does seem to look like Stalin, there are constant references to 'Three Year Plans' and people call each other 'Comrade'. However, it applies to any form of totalitarian government - or indeed, any government that has too much control over an individuals life.
Book Review: "Big Brother is watching you!"
Summary: 5 Stars
Imagine a world where "freedom is slavery," "war is peace" and "ignorance is strength." The things we take for granted -- love and sexual relationships, a difference of opinion, private thoughts -- are taken away from you. Your nation (or in this case, the "Party") is your whole reason for being. You owe everything to it, including your life and every thought, and no other aspect of your life matters. In every corner of the city, telescreens (video cameras?) watch and dictate your every move, and the "Thought Police" are on the lookout for signs of traitorous thoughts. Once captured, traitors are erased from humankind as if they had never existed in the first place. The past doesn't exist, and no traces of history remain. Sex, wine, coffee and other pleasures are not allowed unless it benefits the Inner Party in some way. The world consists of three areas: Ocenia, Eruasia and Eastasia. Countries have lost their individualism and history. They are just a map in the globe. A new universal language in which the meaning of one's words are clear and devoid of deceit is being created...
That is the world Winston Smith lives in. And that is the world George Orwell (real name is Eric Blair) envisioned back in 1948 (the last two digits diverted, very clever), two years before his death. 1984 is a futuristic novel with a political message. Orwell predicted that humans would become robots, a shell of their former selves, brought on by communism. The word "communism" is not used in the novel at all -- or at least I don't remember it being used -- and Russia is seldom mentioned, but it is clear that this is what the author alludes to. Orwell was an opponent of Russian communism at the time, and used his protestations to create fiction. Some describe this book as "prophetic," and might even go as far as to say that some of the book's prophesies have come true, especially in the last couple of years. I know one thing though: Orwell's views were light years ahead of his time, and it is as impressive as it is frightening. As for the book itself, at first, it seemed boring to me. It just showcases the every day life of an average Joe with opposing feelings for the Party. He is paranoid about making wrong moves in front of the telescreens and other Party members, yet is helpless to resist his traitorous thoughts, going as far as writing them down on a personal diary. The first part also showcases what the Party consists of and the changes that London has gone through since the "Revolution." Things get interesting when Winston meets Julia and begins an affair that could get them both into serious trouble. The third part is the most riveting -- and the spookiest. It is a thing of true nightmares. I can go into detail, but I don't want to ruin it for those who haven't read it yet. One thing I would say is that one of the novel's themes is centered on how human beings cannot be completely controlled, that their refusal to yield helps them survive even the most unfathomable torture. O'Brien and the Inner Party might have taken Winston's freedom, but they would never able to overtake his soul. But did they take his soul? Read the last sentence in the book. It shook me to the core. The language is dark and gloomy throughout the novel, and the ending is creepy in its subtlety. I could give out numerous examples about how real life events and political manipulation (the whole War Against Iraq, and the fact that easy access to one's credit, criminal, medical and employment history does make one feel that Big Brother IS watching us) that mirror Orwell's "negative utopia," but others have done so already, and better than I would have done. All I know is that I love this book and will reread it again and again. I'll look into reading Animal Farm and other Orwell books in the future.
Book Review: Demons by Daylight
Summary: 5 Stars
"We shall meet in the Place where there is no Darkness", whispers the Monster.
And he means it.
What is it about this little nugget of grue and cold, calculating horror by the English Socialist writer Eric Blair---immortalized to high school students throughout the Anglophonic world as George Orwell---that so captures the imagination, so fires the nerves?
Well---it's the lack of Freedom, you might say.
But what is Freedom? The freedom to love who you want, unproscribed by the dictates and whims of the Party?
Your freedom to do that, my friend, is already circumscribed by narrow geography, by the randomness of your birth: chances are the love of your life, who sleeps so sweetly beside you right now, will betray you of her own free will, without even the torture merited by Room 101.
Freedom to do what you want, when you want?
Do you have that now? Did you always dream of growing up to work in a cubicle, be badgered by twitterpated thirty-something middle managers for reports that will be filed away into meaninglessness this time tomorrow, and for what?---enough to buy some Ikea furniture that will be worn down by next November?
Is "1984" horrible because of its grinding, horrific economic determinism, its vision of a world of soul-numbed indoctrinated slaves ground down by the Party's inexorable Wheel, willingly chopping their own vocabulary---their own means to express their torment---down into chunks, mono-syllables, mere grunts? The descent into the primal?
Come on: when's the last big idea you had that you actually *wrote* down? At least Big Brother's little creatures all have jobs, the better to support the endless---but glorious!---war effort against Eurasia, or wait---yes, Eastasia! The Floating Fortresses! The massed armies of the tireless People of Oceania!
Anyway: I don't know exactly what bothers me about "1984", but I've never forgotten it, and I never will. For those of you who haven't discovered it---I deeply envy you. It's the story of one mindless little cog---Winston Smith---in the Ministry of Truth, or MiniTruth, in the Bold New Language of NewSpeak, proudly decimating the language every single day! Rejoice, Citizen! To do otherwise is Double plus-Ungood.
Where were we? Ah yes, Winston Smith: who learns, in between delightful pass-times including hate rallies, drooling before the omnipotent tele-screen (oh stop nodding: you've probably got the tele-screen on even *while* you're reading this, and nobody is forcing *you*...yet), and doctoring information in the Ministry's reports---who learns to lust, and after a fashion, to Love.
Orwell, consummate artist, illustrates this cubist, concrete, slag-heaped, hate-drunk pit of despair with all the sparse, telling prose of a master at work: every word works, every sentence tells. And it is a concoction, a wicked witch's brew, of every sputtering despotism ever misbegotten on Planet Earth, spiked with a little extra nightcap of hatred and evil: Stalin's USSR, Hitler's 1000-Year Reich, Pol Pot's Killing Fields.
The horror is that, in the end, "1984" was a human construct, made by human hands, enacted by human voices. We choose, ultimately, what resides in Room 101. We sacrifice our freedom to Big Brother, and then we abide by his all-seeing Eye. We choose not to turn off the Telescreen, until, by and by, the Telescreen commands us to keep it on all day long.
That is the shrill animal horror of "1984": that it is the Future, and that, to be sure: it is far worse than a boot, stomping on a human face, forever.
Worse? Yeah: that we choose it to be that way.
JSG