This time I read it I appreciated it more. And it is even more relevant today then ever.
For those who don't have a clue; it is set in 1984 and is a story following one man, who seems to be negligible in the sense of things, in a repressive tyrannical society. The man whom eyes you see through is a Civil servant named Winston Smith; who actually works for the regime, whilst simultaneously believing it is completely fallacious and unethical.
The novel has made the phrase "Big Brother" famous; meaning the ever growing invasion into the rights of an individual. It concerns the constant serveillance of Winston along with every other 'party' member. It occurs in London which is part of 'Oceania' formally Great Britain. The population are split up into three classes; the Inner Party: people working on the inside of the regime. The Outer Party: people working for the Inner Party (like Winston). And the Proles; everybody else who is not associated with the party at all. These classes could also be likened with upper, middle and lower class. Picture Big Brother at the top of a 'power pyramid' with the Inner Party members sat directly below, then the Outer Party members follwed by the Proles at the bottom.
The regime relies heavily on propaganda; as does any dictatorship; Nazi and Stalinist Regimes. All over the City there are posters reminding everybody that "BIG BROTHER IS WATCHING!" There are the 'thought police' who effectively police thoughtcrime; which are any thoughts or signs of thoughts that go against the regime. This is mostly carried out by way of telescreens in peoples houses and hidden microphones all over the City. Winston's job involves the editing of historical documents; amending anything that could show the party has made an error, even in predictions. For example if a former party member has been convicted by the 'thought police' they will become an 'unperson' no longer in existence; seemingly never to have existed.
As I previously said the story follows Smith through his life and experiences in the City under this Big Brother regime; and not to spoil it for any future readers; the initial title Orwell went with; "The last man on earth" I feel fits well. The use of War comes up quite alot with Oceania always at war with either Eurasia or Eastasia; which changes a couple of times; but history is kept up-to-date so the enemy seemingly never changes. The regimes uses this war to keep power and hope in its people. Smith often questions the actuality of the war; if not to the end.
In my eyes the ending was rather weak; and unexpected. There was not the slightest twist, and I think it is the first story I have read that I have thought the often ridiculed ending of "and then he woke up" would have fitted better.
However the main question is whether or not Orwell meant to intentially attack on socialism. I will leave to you to decide for yourself. But in reading I have to remind myself that this was written in 1949 and it has never seemed so up to date. Although obviously a life that has been exagerated.
One thing that jumped out at me was something said, in the final chapters (Part iii; Chapter iii) of the book, by a character O'Brien; a member of the Inner party. Who stated;
"But always—do not forget this, Winston—always there will be the intoxication of power, constantly increasing and constantly growing subtler. Always, at every moment, there will be the thrill of victory, the sensation of trampling on an enemy who is helpless. If you want a picture of the future, imagine a boot stamping on a human face ... for ever."
This I feel will always be true, to a certain extent.
I'll get back to you in 2014.
Definitely worth a read.
s'nuff said.
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