1984 (Week 11)

December 4, 2015

I love how totally ridiculous utopia is because it allows me to think about how we live in modern day society. Some concepts, even in 1949, are still present today.

For example... The vulnerability of children. In 2015, each upcoming generation is called "the future". We are the future of world as we know it. We are the new opportunity to change the world as we know it today. We are the next chance to create a lasting effect. This is so easily seen in 1984. Even though this part had been described rather quickly in the book, it stood out to me. On page --, adults over thirty were often afraid of their own children!!! Why? The intelligent people of Airstrip One understand that children are vulnerable at these younger ages. You can easily instill flawed values and ideals when they're young and make them more powerful than they even realize. So many of the children of this society simply adore Big Brother and all the malevolent ministries and leaders associated with him. By making the actions of the government appeal to hold ten at these younger ages, you essentially create a military of children, figuratively speaking. Allowing this new generation of brainwashed minors have the power that they don't understand that they have keeps everything in this area steady. Parents now really have to watch every single thing they say, do and even think because now Big Brother is watching you through your own children! It's incredibly smart but alarmingly unsettling, so you basically can't live your life or have a brain and think for yourself. You need not think for yourself.... Big Brother does it for you!!!

Here's another problem... Winston's uncontrollable thoughts of rebellion against Big Brother. This is blatantly obvious but it needs to be addressed. His spontaneous writings in his diary that basically make him look like a Eurasian spy and they're unctrollable flow of negativity as they flood the page is scary. Where are these thoughts coming from? Why does he have them? Why is he recording them??? Winston doesn't even have an answer to these questions! I feel like this is definitely going to cause some issues in the future, especially since he works FOR THE PARTY. That is extremely dangerous. If he isn't careful, the Parsons children are going to be begging their mother to see Winston's shameful hanging instead!!

1984 (Week 10)

November 27, 2015

Finally on to a new book!

I'm not very far into the book as time stands, but I am going to record my initial reactions to the first 10 pages (as this is how far I am at the moment).

1.) This place seems ridiculously depressing. Everything seems so dark and grey. I mean, I do realize that this is taking place in London which is often cold and rainy, but this is just plain sad. All of Winston's sights make me feel empty inside. Winston himself is pathetic, being described as small and frail. And that Big Brother sign? That's definitely creepy. Like, even in modern times; I realize that the government is essentially watching us all and red-flagging people that seem suspicious, but an ominous poster posted EVERYWHERE in town to remind me of this constantly with eyes that stare directly into my soul? Yeah... no thanks. That'd just make me paranoid.

2.) What is with that ridiculous slogan? War is peace. Freedom is slavery. Ignorance is strength.  This is the quintessence of brainwashing. These statements are almost oxymoronic, right? Not even almost, they are. Anyone with a brain can easily see the absurd reasoning and logic behind these statements. Oh, excuse me... I forgot. You're not supposed to have a brain in Airstrip One. That's why we have Thought Police.

3.) I found it rather humorous that the Ministry of Love (or Miniluv in Newspeak) is the most guarded out of all the ministries. Seeing as it deals with the law and order of the country, you would expect it to be to the benefit of the people, at least you would with a name like "The Ministry of Love".  Almost like a love for the people. But in fact, this ministry has a love for control, and in order for people to not recognize the logical fallacies associated with Airstrip One's ideals, this sector would have to be heavily guarded. Saddening.

So far, as depressing and illogical everything is seeming like, I'm enjoying the book. I mean... this is only after like 10 pages in full honesty but I do like the tone of the novel. The way it's written is still provocative and even humorous at times and I appreciate that. I think I'm going to have a fun time with this book.