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Utopia is a reality in which the world is a paradise--a perfect society. Utopia is very difficult to achieve, and if failed, the creation could be catastrophic and create a dystopia, its polar opposite. Being the darkest form of government, dystopia creates an illusion of a perfect futuristic society, containing oppressive societal control. The novel 1984 by George Orwell gives us a glimpse of a future of Totalitarianism if we continue to shun others out and let people take control of our voices, thoughts, and freedoms.
One thing that amazes me about this book is the storyline. From waking up in the morning, to falling asleep at night, the people of the state of Oceania are constantly being controlled by the government (The Party), with their leader being “Big Brother”. Big brother uses his power and control to inflict fear on their citizens. Any hint of disapprobation, the thought police would not hesitate to terminate you and you will soon be forgotten. Hidden cameras, microphones, telescreens, even some children are apart of the thought police listening and invading your privacy to search for any signs of individualism-- the biggest crime one may commit. Again, the plot creates a warning for the readers against the dangers of unchecked political power.
Another great factor of this book is the tone. As dystopian novels go, usually the tone of the book is very bleak, with the setting being dull and even the characters lacking depth, but with that being said, it fits the tone of the book so well, as with the message of the book. Having "dull" characters shows that lack of freedom can really affect someone mentally. With all the characters of the dystopian society being the same, there really are no distinctive personalities, except for the protagonist; Winston Smith.
Lastly, one of my favourite things about this novel is the quotes. In the novel, the saying:
“WAR IS PEACE.
FREEDOM IS SLAVERY.
IGNORANCE IS STRENGTH.” (Orwell, 1.1.21)
is plastered everywhere, and is one of the slogans of the Party. The quote is terrifying as it again inflicts fear upon their citizens.
To conclude this book review, 1984 by George Orwell is haunting and startling, yet at the same time, truly opens the readers' eyes and could change your view on the world. I would recommend this book to anyone as it is a classic must-read.