Blog 14A

Book: 1984
Author: George Orwell
Pages read this week: 15
Pages read this semester: 1235
Weekly Style: Questions
Summary
Winston works in Ministry of Truth and uses a machine named ‘speakwrite,’ which types as he dictates into it. His work, like thousands of others, is to rewrite the past. His job involves correcting Big Brother and Party’s past predictions to match with the current results. Then, Winston has lunch with a man named Syme who is working on a revised edition of Newspeak dictionary. Syme tells Winston that the new dictionary will transform Newspeak and limit the extent of thoughts by deleting the words which express discontent and rebellious feelings. Winston fears that Syme is too intelligent and his intelligence may get him vaporized someday.

Questions
Que. 1: What do you not like about the story? Why?
Ans.: I did not like the way the writer has so far narrated the story. In my opinion, he has been too negative and pessimistic so far. Since this novel was written after WWII, it depicts Communism and Totalitarian governments as very dictatorial and manipulative. People at that time had a fear of dictators and that fear drives this book. I understand that human rights and freedoms are grossly violated under such regimes, but I do not think that it is possible up to that extent. Also, I find it ridiculous that one person rules over a huge strip of land, which involves many countries, and still there is nobody to challenge him.

Que. 2: What does the author do well as a writer?
Ans.: As a writer, the author has done a good job in setting up the tone for the rest of the novel by laying a good foundation. He has described everything in an elucidated and detailed manner. A writer’s job is to raise awareness in common masses about a cause so that they do not lose their ability to think and act properly. In 1984, George Orwell has given a glimpse of many ways the government can limit the freedom of thought and speech; and breach the privacy of the citizens. The people should be aware of their rights and duties and should know what is going on in the country and the rest of the world. The people need to participate in the democratic process or they will lose their rights and liberties.