A Masterpiece and a Must-Read
1984 is one of my absolute favorite novels of all time. It is one that deals with tremendous ideas that tower above us in plain ambition. It provides insight into a simulated world teeming with a universally self-conscious fear of a vague, omnipotent power. People are limited to basic obedience of this said power, and are given no knowledge of any reasoning for their enforced behavior. Orwell brings us to a somber world of insecurity in which every detail of the ruling power is hidden extensively to the point in which any attempts to uncover the driving motives of the government are futile. This monumental control truly extracts meaning from every day life, and removes any drive these people could have to achieve something. The main character does try to act around the government to achieve something which, at the time, was utterly unheard of. He attempts to create a conventional relationship, and further materialize a rebellion that began as a mental disagreement to the ruling cause.
The book itself is a monumental example of some of the effects of an overly developed government on society. As the rulers of this strange world strive for political perfection, they halt impending negative forces that can be seen as threatening and detain any sort of significant progress within the human race. As a side effect to the government’s avoidance of self-threatening conflict, humans are reduced to a meaningless existence, in which they carry on basic functions to keep a scripted economy in motion. Creativity and technological progress are nonexistent in all areas, except for the government to maintain its reign on the population.
The novel is well written, contains substantial imagery, and expresses mountainous ideas with depth and ease. It is quite entertaining and contains a generous supply of touching emotional qualities to further establish connective qualities with the reader. The pace might be slow and dry at times, but it is a read no soul can regret. I commend Orwell for being able to incorporate such a ludicrous amount of philosophical depth to this clearly well thought out novel that remains one of the most influential of its time. It truly gives humanity a warning to the immense dangers of overtly excessive government control, a fear widely known at the time the novel was written. Once you pause the creative qualities of humanity and cease the free thinking of the masses, the world itself will turn to a neutral state. Humans feed on progress to add reasoning to the life of all individuals; it is our method to further excuse our existence. When one removes these qualities for the sake of political supremacy and invest all advancement to the containment of this state, this force removes any remaining excuse for the perseverance of the ordinary person. We thrive on progress, and we must have a certain degree of freedom to glide forwards as a species, for that is our single distinction.
The Human Experience 