George Orwell, 1984 Review

Overall Rating

A powerful and important piece of political fiction.

I can't see any bad points with this classic.

Nineteen-eighty-four by George Orwell is undisputably one of the most important pieces of political fictiion. It was written during a period of unprecedented political instability when we saw the end of the world's great imperial powers and the rise of a new age of politics. Democracy, Fascism and Communism were competing for dominance and the final conclusion of this struggle could not be predicted by anyone. The book was written back in 1949, with the author, Goeorge Orwell, looking towards the future date of 1984, where the world has been consumed by a totalitarian regime, a form of total communism that controls all aspects of life, including the past. This book is about control; the central argument being that whosoever controls the present also controls the past. This is the fundamental theme of the book and as such is represented in several forms, the most notable being that of the ubiquitous "Big Brother". Big Brother is the pillar upon which the entire system rests, for the party to maintain control over the people, he must been seen as being above error, above judgement and above criticism. In a system that has disposed of a conventional religion, God (the symbol of moral purity) must be replaced.

The main character, Winston, finds himself searching for another way of life, regardless of the risks. Every free thought is now a rebellion, with Winston's refusal to submit to "doublethink", to let go of his memories of the past lead him to increasingly extreme violations of the unwritten rules of the party. Winston finds himself beginning a love affair which brings him new found forms of emotion which has been oppressed by Big Brother.

1984 is such a powerful and important piece of political fiction that is as relevant and even necessary as when it was first written in 1949. It is a fiercly oppressive book that I firmly believe should be taught to today's youth. The messages, though frightening, are important and should be understood with the hope of generations to come. A true masterpiece.