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| 1984 edition of 1984, with preface by Walter Cronkite |
Three governments rule the world. Ingsoc (the English Socialist Government) knows everything about everyone. Their inventions called telescreens monitor all people, day and night. The shadowy leader of Ingsoc, Big Brother, is always watching his people. The "watchers" can be found everywhere...or so it seems.
George Orwell, pen-name of Englishman Eric Blair, is best known for writing Animal Farm and 1984. Those two stories are his great anti-utopian/socialist works. The flaws in socialism and communism are strongly and clearly pointed out in both books, but 1984 (published in 1948, the title switching the last two digits) goes into great depth to describe a world in which thoughts themselves can have you sent to prison and even put to death. From the first page to the horrific end, 1984 delivers a chilling and realistic version of what our world could be like if socialists and communists were to take over.
SUMMARY
Winston Smith works for the Ministry of Truth. His job is to rewrite history and make Big Brother (and Ingsoc) look like a savior. There can be no error in his work, as it is enough to arrest a person. One day, though, he does the unthinkable...he thinks. He pulls out a pen and does something illegal: he begins writing a diary.
Winston continues life in near-constant fear of being caught. Eventually, he meets a fellow worker named Julia. The two are both against the wrongs of Ingsoc and secretly meet together many times. How long can they go on like this? How long until the "Thought Police" discover them and arrest them? Have they already been found out? From start to finish, 1984 is an interesting and enjoyable story, though it is also haunting.
CONTENT
The novel has its share of objectionable content. The violence in the beginning is only that of informational. For example, Winston explains to the reader that he will be shot in the head for writing a diary and wishing for the end of Big Brother's dictatorship. Also, hangings of criminals are public events to be enjoyed. In addition to that, a character is tortured several times towards the end of the book. Mostly, though, the things that may frighten younger readers in this area is suspense. The main characters are constantly trying to figure out if someone is watching them...and what will happen if they are caught.
There are three scenes in this book that are inappropriate. In the first scene, Winston imagines a woman taking her clothes off as she runs across a field. In the second scene, two characters have a physical relationship in a forest. In the third scene, it is implied that these people have had a physical relationship.
I don't recall any foul language in 1984, but there may be some words I just don't remember. Either way, the language is quite minor in the novel.
Orwell's story is as important to us today as it was when first published in 1948. It portrays the wrongs of socialism and communism for what they are and what horrendous consequences follow. The story is set in a realistic world that is still possible today. I pray those leading our nation will turn to God for help, not themselves or other men. We all, though, need to stand strong against political evils that ay seep into our nation.
GENERAL INFORMATION
Number of pages: 267 (1984 edition)
Author of book: George Orwell
Published in: 1948
Primary audience: Adults
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