This book is one of the most influential and iconic pieces of literature the world has had the delight of reading. The author, George Orwell (born Eric Blair), was one of the most cunning and perceptive writers of his time and his legacy still holds a strong prominence today when the subjects of society and government arise.
Nineteen Eighty-Four was published in 1949 as a vision into the future (1984) and the way Orwell saw the world ending up to be if the government were to carry on in their seek for a ‘perfect society’. The main character, Winston Smith, is a disillusioned man caught in the middle of this new, dystopian world. He observes the world around him with heavy cynicism and anguish, which I suppose explains the original title Orwell had for the book; ‘The Last Man in Europe’. The society are completely and utterly controlled by the government, using cameras inside people’s homes and raising people’s children against them through brainwashing tactics.
But this book is far more than just an interesting story written by a dying man, it has become a tool; a weapon used as a warning shot against governments who threaten to send society in that direction. Furthermore, phrases from the book like ‘newspeak’ and ‘doublethink’ are known throughout society today as it leaves such a strong impression on people who have read it and related to it. Even as I write, the word ‘doublethink’ isn’t spell-checked. But perhaps more significantly, it highlights the simple pleasures and wonders humans enjoy under a democracy. Orwell’s government, Ingsoc, rid humans of all every-day pleasures like good literature or radio and even tried to crush the human’s sexual instinct entirely.
So, whether this book is used as a warning shot to the government of the day or simply as a reminder of the democratic delights free humans enjoy day in and day out, it is a massive milestone in human culture.
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