1984, written by English author George Orwell, is a groundbreaking dystopian novel serving as a cautionary tale. It was released on June 8th, 1949, marking Orwell's ninth and final published book. Set in a chilling future world, the story unfolds in a society plagued by perpetual war. Great Britain, now known as Airstrip One, is under the oppressive rule of the totalitarian superstate Oceania, governed by the menacing figure of Big Brother. This dictatorial leader is propped up by a cult of personality meticulously crafted by the Party's surveillance apparatus known as the Thought Police.
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The Party exerts control through constant government surveillance, manipulation of historical facts via the Ministry of Truth, and insidious propaganda aimed at eradicating individuality and critical thinking. The protagonist, Winston Smith, is a diligent employee at the Ministry of Truth who harbors a rebellious spirit hidden beneath his outward conformity. Secretly despising the Party, Winston maintains a forbidden diary. His clandestine acts extend to a forbidden romance with a fellow worker, Julia, and their discovery of a clandestine resistance movement known as the Brotherhood.
Their hopes for liberation are shattered when their supposed ally within the Brotherhood turns out to be a Party informant. Both Winston and Julia are apprehended and subjected to brutal psychological manipulation and torture at the hands of the Ministry of Love. Under immense pressure, Winston ultimately betrays Julia and renounces his defiance, professing his love for Big Brother.
1984 has since introduced concepts such as "Big Brother," "doublethink," "Thought Police," "thoughtcrime," "Newspeak," and the infamous equation "2 + 2 = 5" into the public lexicon. The novel's themes have drawn parallels to real-world instances of totalitarianism, mass surveillance, and infringements on freedom of expression. Orwell himself described 1984 as a satirical commentary and a cautionary tale highlighting the dangers of centralized control.
Source: Wikipedia
Below is Adam Wright's comparison between the book and the film adaptation:
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