With the state of the world,and the USA do you think 1984 is coming into play
2007-02-24 07:54:57 · 5 answers · asked by William L 2 in Arts & Humanities ➔ Books & Authors
I think the beauty of the story is that it is relevant to many eras. Yes, it seems like it is happening now, but it seemed like that when I read it in HS in the 80's. It will probably seem relevant 20 years from now, too. Good science fiction is like that.
2007-02-24 08:06:20 · answer #1 · answered by suzykew70 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
No.
In 1984, the characters live in a totalitarian state that controls every aspect of life, even people's thoughts. Winston Smith's secret diary against the state is a thought crime. In our world, we still have freedom of speech.
We don't have thought police.
The police don't come to our houses and reprogram us and have us vaporized for fraternizing with our co-workers.
Are there elements which exist now that were only imaginary in the novel?
Yes. But they are superficial. Computers and advanced communication are a keystone in sf.
The party philosophy in 1984 is the idea that history is mutable or changeable, that truth is what the Party deems it to be. Who controls the past controls the future: who controls the present controls the past,” runs the Party slogan in 1984.Written history has ALWAYS been written (re-written) by the victors. Heck, Democrats rewrite history from a deliberate bias just to make republicans look bad--but its not new.
Newspeak, the “official” language of Oceania, functions as a devise of extreme Party control. We just don't have that kind of control over language.
Orwell wrote 1984 just after World War II when tyranny was a reality in Spain, Germany, the Soviet Union; and therefore his books stand against complete repression of the human spirit, absolute governmental control of daily life, constant hunger, and the systematic “vaporization” of individuals who do not, or will not, comply with the government’s values.
We do not live in a society that vaporizes individuals who do not comply with gov' values. Nowhere NEAR it. We still have a lot of civil conflict--because it is allowed. It is an integral part of free speech.
Just look at the topics covered on talk shows, news, etc. While we are expected to walk the straight and narrow--we really do have huge freedoms.
Suzykew is correct that great fiction is like that. The truth in fiction is what rings true, regardless of when it is read.
2007-02-24 16:18:51 · answer #2 · answered by maî 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
*Secret Transmission to Big Brother HQ*
Greetings, comrade. Comrade William L has committed the ThoughtCrime "Asking if this is like 1984". His DNA, IP address, and other information will be forwarded to the Patriotism and Sunshine Act Administration hencforth. All hail Big Brother!
2007-02-24 16:45:22 · answer #3 · answered by crypto_the_unknown 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You're a traitor to big brother! Don't big brother! It wasn't me! It was him...him...that evil 'comrade' William L. REPENT William L! Repent while you still can!
2007-02-24 20:02:24 · answer #4 · answered by Lucifer 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
oh boy. YES! and if you make any reference to life becoming big brother, all those fools think you mean the show... it really is. 24/7 surveillence, terrorism, dissidents crushed... i don't like it and i don't know anyone who does (well, duh, kyo).
2007-02-24 16:00:03 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋