The Beginning

For my reading blog, I have chosen to read George Orwell’s novel 1984. This classic has been said to be Orwell’s lurid revelation of how 1984 (thirty-five years in the future) might become, calling it the “negative utopia.” I have only read one book by George Orwell – Farm Animals – and loved it so I am excited to see how this story plays out. The book has 326 pages so for each of my blogs will contain my thoughts for about 20-25 pages of reading.

It didn’t take many pages for the book to grab ahold of my attention. On the second page, if I hadn’t already heard the term I would have been intrigued: “BIG BROTHER IS WATCHING YOU.” So this book is where I’ve heard the rather not so rare expression come from. I now have a slightly better understanding of what is to come.

The main character, Winston Smith, seems like your average guy. Nothing about him strikes me as extraordinary. I think this makes the character more realistic and relatable.

All the government officials already intimidate me. The Thought Police seem like our day’s CIA. The Ninth Three-Year Plan sounds like something from Hitler’s agenda. And it’s almost Hate Week?! I’m almost afraid to ask what that is!

I loved the emphasis on the journal entry. It really shows the strictness of this "lawless" government and the fear manifested into the civilians. The fact that writing by hand was such a foreign concept really absorbed my interest. I want to know what “speak write” is. Why has writing diminished so? Is this comparable to slavery, by not wanting your slaves to read, write, or think independently?

What is it with Oceania? My awareness has peaked and I still don’t have an understanding of why this place is so important. Is this where Big Brother resides? But why mention that Emmanuel Goldstein, who is the country’s biggest traitor, has been rumored to be housed there? If Oceania were the enemy, why would everyone in London use so many words from their language, especially in a situation where everything is monitored and controlled? I’m pretty lost with the Oceanic aspect.

The reactions that followed Two Minutes Hate were quite disturbing. It is extremely clear how brainwashed everybody seems to be. The confusing part for me is how Winston became so caught up in the hatred that he directed his hatred against something that he quietly believes in into something that the masses believe in. Then, he brutally turns his hatred toward this woman behind him that he wanted to “ravish” and “cut her throat at the moment of climax.” I am more than a little distressed right now with Winston’s random thoughts of psychosis.

Until next time…