Nineteen Eighty-Four is a dystopian novel by
George Orwell covering the story of Winston Smith, a citizen of the nation of Oceania. Oceania is ultimately ruled by Big Brother, an individual so often praised and honored but with no proof of existence. However, one thing is certain; Big Brother is everywhere and anywhere at all times. Every member of Oceania must follow the strict guidelines set by the divine dictator, and there is no way around him. The heavy propaganda provided by the authorities of Oceania work to keep the public blindly in worship of the tyrant, and any opposition to his rule is immediately shut down. However, Winston soon starts to wake up and realize that something is incredibly wrong with his society, and he inches his way into becoming a rebel of the society. In addition, his growing relationship with a young woman, Julia, adds to his list of threats to the power of Big Brother. Read the novel to find out what happens to Winston Smith. Will he be able to outsmart the tyrannical authority known as Big Brother, or will he ultimately be doomed to defeat and destruction?
I have a great fondness of George Orwell's dystopian novel,
Nineteen Eighty-Four. In fact, I often find myself quoting it in essays, freelance writing, and even everyday conversations. There are so many valuable lessons to be learned from this novel, whether from its statement on the growing power of authorities through technology to its questions on life and love. Although the year of 1984 has come and long gone, this novel remains a timeless classic that would be just as significant in the old societies of the Romans as it would be in a social democracy thirty years from now. Pick up this novel, I promise you won't regret it!
-Reviewed by P.P., grade 11.
Comments
1984 is a fantastic novel that explores the strong and terrible concept that a totalitarian regime may take over a whole nation. The material serves as a warning about what happens when one person obtains too much power to change society and people's beliefs. The substance of 1984 is precisely why teens should read it. This generation will one day develop into people with power, the type of authority that might lead to the establishment of a totalitarian regime. If the reader is uninformed of this sort of administration, the novel's awful stories may become reality. Reading this book at a young age while yet mature enough to understand its content may assist to avert such situations.
Reviewed by Juniper Austen, Grade 9
Glendale Central Library
“1984" is a classic and strongly influential novel. It is eye-opening to read as it contains a powerful portrayal of the dangers of authoritarianism and its impact on individual freedom and privacy. In addition, the novel contains relevance to contemporary political and social issues, such as government surveillance, censorship, and propaganda, as reality is becoming more similar to the issues depicted in the novel. The potential dangers of authoritarianism are depicted and the importance of individual liberty and free thought are clearly identified. The novel highlights the themes of government surveillance/supervision, propaganda, and control which I find completely relevant given our current standards. I can argue that the novel's themes are more relevant now than ever before, due to the advancements in technology and the potential for government overreach.
Reviewed by ES, Grade 11
Grandview Library