Review By: Francesca Miesner
School: Solvay Middle School, Solvay Union Free School District
Published: Plume, 1949
Genre(s): Fiction, Dystopian Fiction, Political Fiction, Science Fiction
Audience: Grades 11–12, Adult
Content Warnings: Gaslighting, Sexually explicit scenes, Torture, Violence
Goodreads Link: 1984
Rating: ★★★★★
Summary:
1984 is a novel that warns the reader of a future where citizens are unable to think or feel for themselves. It is important that we remember that this book, while fiction, is connected to reality, that people that are currently living in the world are experiencing this level of censorship.
Review:
1984 by George Orwell is an absolute must read. Written in 1949, Orwell speculates and warns of the dangers of restrictive government. The novel takes place in an imaginary future in the year 1984. Orwell’s writing highlights and warns what could happen, if the world continues down its current path. By making the year not too far in the future, he demonstrates that things can devolve much quicker than we think.
The story follows Winston Smith, a man living in the fictional country of Oceania in the year 1984, or so he can surmise. The reader follows Winston Smith in navigating the country. He shows the reader how controlling Big Brother is, how all-encompassing his existence is.
Every move he makes is calculated to avoid suspicion (even if he isn’t doing anything to warrant suspicion.) While at work, he needs to watch his face, his posture, his feelings. At home, a screen blares propaganda at its citizens all hours of the day.
Any mistake that draws the attention of the Thought Police could lead to execution.
1984 warns that the distant, impossible, horrifying future isn’t as far away or impossible as we may think.
This novel is an essential read. Curricularly, a teacher may pair this novel with a study of the Cold War and government censorship. I have also seen activities where students are meant to make up their own perfect government. Then, they share their perfect government with another group, who is tasked with twisting their government into the corrupt version of their plan.
