George Orwell’s “1984”, Book Review Example

Considering one of the most authoritative dystopian works ever created, which is George Orwell’s 1984, it is worth saying that this novel appeared to influence the world dramatically. The thing is that since the very publication in 1949, the discussion novel proved to incorporate a number of the concepts that one cannot but refer to the contemporary parlance. Big Brother, thoughtcrime, Room 101 and many other word-combinations occur as the integral part of the universe that the author managed to recreate in his novel. Furthermore, it is worth taking into consideration the fact that Orwellian appeared to be the term to specify such things as, for example, surveillance, corruption, deception, andintrigues of the past by the dictatorial control. Analyzing one of the most notable dystopian novels 1984, one should be aware that the author aimed to caution the world against the probable outcome of the totalitarian regime.

It is evident that if there are some doubts concerning the persistent authority of writing in digital culture, it has to be definitely by the promotion of Orwell’s dystopian novel. Moving through the text of the novel 1984, one cannot but encounter that there is number of resonant themes for all of us; it is worth taking into account that the resonant ideas lie in, for instance, the revelations of Edward Snowden with regards to NSA: the totalitarian regime in Oceania, the cruel Big Brother focused on endless watching, etc. Taking a view of the abovementioned collocations, it becomes apparent that they occur as a real endgame of official surveillance, and deceitful governmental policy. It is clear that most of people regard Orwell’s novel 1984 as the cautionary story having the power of prophecy. Nevertheless, the notion that the work sums up with the help of Winston Smith, the protagonist, emerged to be not actually right. The point is that, as for Big Brother, he given the last word.

At the end, the author incorporates the appendix; this very chapter even though possessing the signs of a boring treatise, actually contains the key to understanding the whole novel in a different way. When analyzing the appendix, one can come to understanding that Big Brother finally failed. The win is basically attributed not to isolated insurgencies as well as to The Brotherhood, but the language. Concerning the details of Orwell’s appendix, it provides a profound analysis of Oceania’s willingness to substitute Oldspeak with Newspeak; it is the shorthand aimed to contract the range of ideas to banal words. Regardless of the attempts, these plans were not be implemented. Newspeak appears to fail and the intentions based on achieving the abolition of laughter and pleasure is not accomplished. Orwell designs the appendix in a way to show the utopianism of expressing the ideas in Newspeak. The appeal to the moral uprightness of language is likely to be quite utopic; all in all, it is necessary to make mention that today the world undergoes quite similar trials. It is possible to regard the titles of the post-9/11 projects focused on protecting American citizens: Boundless Informant as well as the principles of interrogation methodology.

Obviously, the key story of the discussion dystopian novel lies in liberty; as for the Snowden case, its main part is technology. Analyzing Orwell’s novel, it becomes clear that technology emerges as rather oppressive structure even though it can be utilized as an element of freedom. Snowden explained that tech enterprises are tightly connected with the government; moreover, their cooperation is based on producing beneficial and wicked designs. Snowden utilized the same channels of advanced technologies in order to spread his confession. Daniel Ellsberg was forced to copy the corresponding data in order to deliver it in hard copies. Today, it is worth saying that the popular tongue of dissent encloses such formats as emails, tweets, etc.

Speaking about Orwell’s novel 1984, it is worth paying attention to that a number of Orwell’s statements occurred as an important part of the contemporary society. Beyond any doubts, the language as well as the words that George Orwell utilized when writing the work echoes in today’s modern world. A number of citations from 1984 are usually used in everyday’s communcations. Some of the best-known are as follows:

• “If you want a picture of the future, imagine a boot stamping on a human face—for ever.”
• “Doublethink means the power of holding two contradictory beliefs in one’s mind simultaneously, and accepting both of them.”
• “The choice for mankind lies between freedom and happiness and for the great bulk of mankind, happiness is better.”

Evidently, each phrase appeared to have the power of cautionary effect to some extent. The thing is that the depth of Orwell’s assertions should not be underestimated, since there is a variety of congruences.

Contemplating upon the accuracy of Orwell’s arguments, it is possible to pay attention to Apple’s well-known advertisement that uncovered the Macintosh electronic device in 1984, demonstrating complete utilization of reference to Orwell’s dystopian work. A number of employee drones move towards the screen demonstrating the leader saying that, “We have created, for the first time in all history, a garden of pure ideology—where each worker may bloom, secure from the pests purveying contradictory truths.” Then, an athletic female appears with a hammer. The woman hurls the arms andsplinters the image. On the 24^th of January the TV viewers were informed that Apple Computer would present Macintosh. Moreover, there was the information that people would find out the difference between 1984 and the novel 1984. The top managers of Apple did their best so as to block the given advertisement; notwithstanding this fact, Steve Jobs together with Steve Wozniak managed to broadcast the ad.

This all about modern-day technology’s myth: the underground bands of engineers willing to offer the latest digital devices despite the perils of the bureaucratic trends. It becomes clear that the technologies have surrounded us from everywhere, and the status quo is being constantly questioned. While writing the novel 1984, George Orwell was concerned about the consequences of the Cold War and definitely not the present-day terrorism. Obviously, the author did expect the full coming of digital literacy. For all that, George Orwell still managed to foresee the future characterized by dictatorial manner of governing. Furthermore, the author was absolutely right in emphasizing the ability of utilizing the language for disagreements.

Moving through the chapters of Orwell’s novel, one can clearly understand that the cautionary tale proved to have much in common with the coming times. The author’s suggestions emerged to be much prophetic, since nowadays, it is possible to collide with a variety of situations that George Orwell anticipated when writing one of his best novels. To conclude, it is worth saying that the discussion book is worthy of notice; the point is that the humanity should take advantage of the dystopian novel and eradicate the traits of totalitarianism in the world. It is necessary to consider carefully the ideas that Orwell described in his novel and make attempt to get it at all costs. It is important to become aware that one should not deny the topicality of 20^th century literature.

Works Cited

Orwell, George. Nineteen Eighty-Four. A novel. London: Secker & Warburg. 312. 1949.