Personal Commentary on 1984 Essay

1984: A Review

Awhile back for a quick read book, and as I wanted to read some modern classics, I decided to read 1984 by George Orwell. It was anything but a quick read. As I sat in my chair, with book in hand, I started to analyze the book. I believe that Orwell created a tolitarian society portrayed in this book to just show how when the state controls almost everything, no one is really even human anymore, just a mannequin with movement. I think that George Orwell did a good job of portraying this society especially with something as complicated as it is. The book comes with detail that helps us see this world that he created. After reading this book, the thesis I had wrote out earlier seemed fitting, too much control by the state creates a dystopian world where no one is truly alive, or human. While I enjoy this book, this book is way too complicated to be something that is to be understood by a mass audience.

The book starts with Winston Smith, a member of the outer party that works in the ministry of truth. There he changes books and media so that they are consistent with the party. All thought his life he has been watched by telecreens, two-way TVs that are monitored by the thought police. He decides that he hates the world created by the party and tries to go against the party, but he believes that he is all alone, until he meets a co-worker at work. I wont give away much more as this will keep you reading till the very until, you get what this whole book means.

George Orwells use of symbolism in this book is complicated, as he can take something small, like the Bells of St. Clemens Poem, which isnt seen much as an item of symbolism, and tie so many things together, like characters and events. He also uses many phrases; many of them are newspeak words, created by this government to eliminate any words that can lead to a bad society. Words like doublethink, thinking two contradictory thoughts at the same time and agreeing with both.

I think the turning point for me is the book within a book. Goldsteins book explains why the world is like this, why constant war must be kept and why the three most doublethink statements are always true. War is Peace, Freedom is Slavery, Ignorance is Strength, these sayings cause this world to be what it is, a total upright dystopian society.

Winston. You can get everything you want to know about him, and nothing else. I didnt want to know where he was born, how he grew up, I dont care about that. But Orwell was able to make this character detailed by having less; he trims the fat off his characters so that the plot is not compromised.

Orwells use of setting is also a major part; the book takes place in London, known as Airstrip 1. The setting used by it though could be any town; he makes London be so dystopian, that it shouldnt have ever been called London, like it was Airstrip 1 the whole time.

It is about time I wrap up my review, but I leave my last words of parting. Even though these animals in the story are homo-sapiens, they are not human, whatsoever. This government shows why rights and choices, and most importantly, freedom, are important and that they must be given, or the essence of humanity in its rawest form will no longer exist. And that is why this book is so important. Its theme still stands today, even in 2011, when it was written more than 50 years ago in 1954. And thats why I picked up and enjoyerd this book.