Ivan answers “Why do people rate this book so high? ...”

Wilma asked this question about 1984:

Why do people rate this book so high? Surely I am missing something.

Ivan This book is important because it portrays totalitarianism, and the lack of democracy, liberty, justice, and our freedom of speech in a way we mere mo…moreThis book is important because it portrays totalitarianism, and the lack of democracy, liberty, justice, and our freedom of speech in a way we mere mortals couldn't even imagine!

Those of us who have jobs and have the chance to make money can spend it on what we need, and then what we want. In a totalitarian society you couldn't do that! We get to buy whatever kind of food we want with the money we've earned. We can buy all kinds of drinks, from water to juice to coffee to alcohol. We have a huge list of coffees and tobacco and magazines and house items and technology, literally anything you might need. It's out there.
Whatever item you might need, there are many like it of many qualities and prices on the market, and it's up to you to decide what you want. Speaking of what you want, you can VOTE for whoever you want, join whatever party you want, and you can even choose to be apolitical, and just not take any interest in politics if you don't want to! And you have the right to say what you want about anything in politics too, guaranteed by the universal declaration of human rights.

The people of Oceania wouldn't have the luxury we do! What Orwell is portraying (and trying to say) is that WE could end up like the people of Oceania some day, and that we must be careful not to let it happen.

It's why people these days have a problem with their government invading an individual's privacy, even if the individual has nothing to hide! People must be aware of the never-ending threat of dictatorship so that we could HAVE our rights and our freedom, these luxuries we take for granted.

Just look at North Korea.

This book must be cherished. It is a warning sign, not to mention a fantastic book as well, in my opinion.
My opinion isn't important though, this book is. I hope we don't lose it as the generations go by, for we mustn't forget the relatively recent crimes against humanity committed in the name of a better world, by the hands of vicious dictators, full of lies and empty promises.

I suggest you take a look at the animal farm by Orwell if you haven't already, or have decided you don't want to. It's much shorter and is very direct. I see it as a metaphorical blueprint for achieving totalitarianism, and wouldn't waste your time.

Sorry I got carried away I tried to keep it brief. ^_^(less)

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MsheArt2 The book is hardly a warning, it's category fiction, is the fiction. 1984 Is Predictive programming from an insider, don't think so, look at what glob ...more
May 13, 2019 02:10AM · flag

Jim Durnin Sorry, you are misdirected. Socialism, Totalitarianism, and Communism exist and the left is always trying to make inroads into freedom and capitalism. ...more
Aug 29, 2020 09:12AM · flag

Ocean G Many of the takeaways from this book were clouded by how boring it was, but you helped me appreciate the book a lot more, it is a very important piece ...more
Mar 02, 2022 10:41AM · flag

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