The novel 1984 portrays a suffocating, dystopian society where totalitarianism is taken to the extreme. In this world, omnipresent telescreens monitor your every move; familial bonds are devoid of affection; and the perpetual “foreign war” keeps the masses trapped in the lowest tiers of Maslow’s hierarchy of needs. The populace lives in a constant state of wartime fear, ensnared in an invisible cage. The ruling Party uses Newspeak to imprison thought and restrict expression. Any spark of dissenting ideas is swiftly extinguished by the ever-present Thought Police, leading to inevitable arrest and confinement in the infamous "Ministry of Love." Yet, under such oppression, the masses do not perceive their situation as dire; instead, they consider their lives happy and fulfilling.
The protagonist, Winston, works at the Ministry of Truth, revising historical records, newspapers, and literary works to align with Party doctrine. Over time, he begins to question Big Brother's rule. He secretly purchases a diary from the black market and records his thoughts, meeting with Julia, who shares his doubts, in a secluded room without a telescreen. However, the reality is inescapable—Big Brother is always watching. No relationship can be trusted; friends, family, and lovers might all be informants.
In 1984, the ruling Party maintains its grip through the most meticulous form of thought control. To break the historical cycle and prevent the middle class from replacing the upper class, the Party deliberately suppresses social progress, promotes asceticism, severs connections with the outside world, and creates an information divide. Without an external point of reference, people remain oblivious to their true circumstances, resigned to their fate.
Closing the book, I realize that no one is infallible—stubbornness and self-righteousness can be indistinguishable from controlled thought. The truth, in fact, is often simple; perhaps it has already become intertwined with lies, blurring the line between reality and deception. Trapped in a web of interests and human nature, most people are unable to discern the truth and can only drift along, passively enduring.
In the end, would you rather be a contented pig or a suffering Socrates?
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