“Orwell’s 1984 depicts a nightmarish world of total government control and surveillance in a dystopian society.”
Published in 1949, it explores themes of surveillance, propaganda, oppression, and the consequences of a society stripped of individuality and freedom.
Title | Nineteen Eighty-Four |
Author | George Orwell |
Publisher | Signet Classic (January 1, 1961) |
Language | English |
File Format | |
Number of pages | 328 pages |
Customer Reviews | 4.6 out of 5 stars 111,012 Reviews |
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Nineteen Eighty-Four Novel summary by George Orwell
The novel is set in the fictional superstate of Oceania, ruled by the Party and its enigmatic leader, Big Brother.
The protagonist, Winston Smith, is a low-ranking Party member who secretly despises the regime’s oppressive rule and yearns for personal freedom and individuality.
Winston’s life is a constant struggle against the Party’s surveillance apparatus, led by the Thought Police, which monitors citizens’ every move and even their thoughts.
The Party manipulates history, language, and reality itself through the Ministry of Truth, where Winston works, altering records to fit its propaganda.
Winston embarks on a forbidden love affair with Julia, another Party member, in an act of rebellion against the regime.
Together, they read a forbidden book, “The Theory and Practice of Oligarchical Collectivism,” which reveals the true nature of the Party’s control.
“Winston and Julia’s bond leads to their arrest by the Thought Police, torture, and O’Brien’s brainwashing in ‘Nineteen Eighty-Four’.”
“Winston ultimately succumbs, embracing Party ideology and Big Brother, erasing his rebellion and individuality in the novel’s conclusion.”
see also – The Gift of the Magi book summary by O. Henry
Nineteen Eighty-Four Novel summary by George Orwell free online read
Conclusion
“Orwell’s ‘Nineteen Eighty-Four’ serves as a cautionary tale, highlighting the perils of totalitarianism and the loss of personal liberties.”
George Orwell’s portrayal of a dystopian society where truth is subjective and resistance is futile continues to resonate with readers.
Prompting reflection on the power of authoritarianism and the importance of defending fundamental human rights and liberties.
FAQs
The year 1984 represents a dystopian future in which the story is set.
Big Brother is the enigmatic and omnipresent leader of the Party in “Nineteen Eighty-Four.”
Doublethink is a key concept in the novel, referring to the ability to hold two contradictory beliefs simultaneously and accept both of them as true.