George Orwell's 1984?

Question

I'm curious to know your opinions about some of the concepts in Orwell's masterpiece. I've read the book many times and am not a high school or college kid looking for essay ideas.

What do you think of the idea of a Big Brother?

Does 1984 show an odd proximity of capitalism and dystopian socialism? Consider the shop keeper (capitalist or pretend capitalist) who essentially "sells" Winston to The Party. Also consider that most major religions espouse uptopian socialism in the form of Heaven. It's interesting to me that a communal state of existence is paradise in the afterlife and hell on earth.

What are your thoughts about Room 101?

Do you feel that there is any real truth to the issues of centralized power that Orwell puts forth?

Answer 1

These are good questions. The thought of Big Brother is absurd. Having said that, the only ones that want to keep that close of an eye on us is the major corporations of the world. Banks, Soda Pop makers, Car manufacturors, and the like. They want you to buy there products and are willing to do anything to get the data they need to control our spending habits. Problem is for any gov't or business is that is too much data to crunch. It is simply impossible to keep track of so many people. So, is Kim Jong IL, the Big Brother of North Korea? I'm not sure.
About the shop keeper, I'm pretty sure he was an agent of Big Brother, he was the Thought Police.
I encourage you to see the movie, Children of Men, then ask more questions about 1984.
Remember, 1984 has come and gone. I had a pretty good life in 1984 and I still do here in the good 'ol United States of America.

Answer 2

We are living in his world right now, and moving more so each day. I think "V" was a good update, but minus the PC stuff in the middle of the film. The problem with both 1984 and other works along this line is that they don't tie it all in to the Bible, and the prophecies found there, which will (and are) shortly coming to pass. They also do not assign the responsibility (blame) to the correct party, who is none other than Satan, the enemy of all mankind, and any open freedom of thought, and action.

2 Corinthians 4:4 (New Testament/King James Version)

In whom the god of this world [Satan/Lucifer/the Devil] hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.

Answer 3

as far as I'm concerned we are in "IT" and have been for years.....................