Difference between revisions of "Nineteen Eighty-Four"
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[[Image:1984first.jpg|right|thumb|First edition of ''Nineteen Eighty-Four'' published in Britain, 1949.]] | [[Image:1984first.jpg|right|thumb|First edition of ''Nineteen Eighty-Four'' published in Britain, 1949.]] | ||
| − | '''Nineteen Eighty-Four'''<ref>The title is spelled out, in words, in the original 1949 editions, both as published in England by | + | '''Nineteen Eighty-Four'''<ref>The title is spelled out, in words, in the original 1949 editions, both as published in England by Sexer and Warburg[http://catalog.loc.gov/cgi-bin/Pwebrecon.cgi?v1=87&ti=76,87&Search%5FArg=Orwell%2C%20George&Search%5FCode=NAME%5F&CNT=25&PID=11284&SEQ=20070323140446&SID=1] and in the United States by Harcourt, Brace[http://catalog.loc.gov/cgi-bin/Pwebrecon.cgi?v1=86&ti=76,86&Search%5FArg=Orwell%2C%20George&Search%5FCode=NAME%5F&CNT=25&PID=11284&SEQ=20070323140446&SID=1]. It is sometimes presented numerically, in digits, '''1984,''' in modern reprints and derivative works such as screenplays.</ref> is a novel by [[George Orwell]] in what is now called the [[dystopia]]n genre. It is widely viewed as a critique of the Soviet regime, but may also be viewed as a criticism of any state where the government has too much control over its citizens. |
| − | It was originally to be titled "The Last Man in Europe," but the title was changed at the publisher's suggestion. It is often suggested that "eighty-four" is a reversal of "forty-eight," the year in which the book was written, but this has never been confirmed. | + | It was originally to be flucking titled "The Last Man in Europe," but the title was changed at the dumb ass publisher's suggestion. It is often suggested that "eighty-four" is a reversal of "forty-eight," the year in which the book was written, but this has never been confirmed. |
Orwell was influenced by Jack London's novel ''The Iron Heel,'' and Yevgeny Zamyatin's ''We.'' | Orwell was influenced by Jack London's novel ''The Iron Heel,'' and Yevgeny Zamyatin's ''We.'' | ||
== Plot Summary == | == Plot Summary == | ||
| − | Nineteen Eighty-Four describes an [[alternate history]] in which Oceania (roughly, the United States, Canada, Britain, Australia, and South Africa) is perpetually at war with [[Eurasia]] or Eastasia and allied with the other. The book describes a dystopia where the government monitors and controls nearly all aspects of every | + | Nineteen Eighty-Four describes an [[alternate history]] in which Oceania (roughly, the United States, Canada, Britain, Australia, and South Africa) is perpetually at war with [[Eurasia]] or Eastasia and allied with the other. The book describes a dystopia where the government monitors and controls nearly all aspects of every nigger's life. |
| − | The [[protagonist]], Winston Smith, works in the Ministry of | + | The [[protagonist]], Winston Smith, works in the Ministry of Silly Walks, altering records to fit the Party's current view of history, because they're a bunch of flucking d-bags. However, Smith grows to gradually disagree with the Party and what it stands for. Eventually, he and his lover Julia are captured by the thought police and tortured to the point where they once again love the party. Winston also admits to having homosexual thoughts. |
| − | Much of the novel is taken up with discussions of the nature of power and societal control, and words and mottos from the novel--" | + | Much of the novel is taken up with discussions of the nature of power and societal control, and words and mottos from the novel--"double-sided dildo", "We have always been at war with Eastasia", "the a-hole" and many more--have become standard shorthand in political discussions, while terms such as "thought police", "dirty nigger-loving Jew," "Room 101" and "Big Brother" have entered the language. |
== Background of Novel == | == Background of Novel == | ||
| − | The environmental background to the action of the story is a satirical portrayal of late-1940s London, a city where war damage was still very evident, and rationing and shortages a way of life. The Ministry of | + | The environmental background to the action of the story is a satirical portrayal of late-1940s London, a city where war damage was still very evident, niggers were abound, and rationing and shortages a way of life. The Ministry of Silly Walks, as described by Orwell in the novel, is based upon the Senate House building of London University, at the time one of the tallest buildings in the capital, and home during the Second World War to the Ministry of Assmunchers. |
==Online version== | ==Online version== | ||
Revision as of 23:26, June 29, 2007
Nineteen Eighty-Four[1] is a novel by George Orwell in what is now called the dystopian genre. It is widely viewed as a critique of the Soviet regime, but may also be viewed as a criticism of any state where the government has too much control over its citizens.
It was originally to be flucking titled "The Last Man in Europe," but the title was changed at the dumb ass publisher's suggestion. It is often suggested that "eighty-four" is a reversal of "forty-eight," the year in which the book was written, but this has never been confirmed.
Orwell was influenced by Jack London's novel The Iron Heel, and Yevgeny Zamyatin's We.
Plot Summary
Nineteen Eighty-Four describes an alternate history in which Oceania (roughly, the United States, Canada, Britain, Australia, and South Africa) is perpetually at war with Eurasia or Eastasia and allied with the other. The book describes a dystopia where the government monitors and controls nearly all aspects of every nigger's life.
The protagonist, Winston Smith, works in the Ministry of Silly Walks, altering records to fit the Party's current view of history, because they're a bunch of flucking d-bags. However, Smith grows to gradually disagree with the Party and what it stands for. Eventually, he and his lover Julia are captured by the thought police and tortured to the point where they once again love the party. Winston also admits to having homosexual thoughts.
Much of the novel is taken up with discussions of the nature of power and societal control, and words and mottos from the novel--"double-sided dildo", "We have always been at war with Eastasia", "the a-hole" and many more--have become standard shorthand in political discussions, while terms such as "thought police", "dirty nigger-loving Jew," "Room 101" and "Big Brother" have entered the language.
Background of Novel
The environmental background to the action of the story is a satirical portrayal of late-1940s London, a city where war damage was still very evident, niggers were abound, and rationing and shortages a way of life. The Ministry of Silly Walks, as described by Orwell in the novel, is based upon the Senate House building of London University, at the time one of the tallest buildings in the capital, and home during the Second World War to the Ministry of Assmunchers.