1984 by George Orwell

While reading Fahrenheit 451 a couple weeks ago, I developed an interest in dystopian novel. Because of my interest, I read George Orwell's 1984. 1984 was an intense book that proposed radical ideas that apply to today's world.

The book takes place during 1984 in London, Oceania. Oceania is controlled by a political party called INGSOC, with Big Brother as the party leader. The party suppresses all forms of individual thinking to remain in power. They monitor each citizen, detecting people who try to think. The main character, Winston works as a simple worker for the party. He seems to fit in with the other brainwashed citizens, but he internally hates Big Brother. Throughout the book, Winston struggles to hide an illegal affair and to join the rebel group.

One of the concepts from this book that I found really interesting was the evolving language that stifled individual thought. The English language was repeatedly simplified, and replaced with new emotionless words. The government did this to indirectly take away the freedom of speech. Ultimately, the citizens wouldn't be able to express or even comprehend their rebellious thoughts.

The book was extremely thought provoking. unfortunately, I wasn't able to write a blog about it soon enough to note down all of my thoughts. I am hoping to read the book again in the future to reanalyze all of the amazing ideas in the book.