The world as we know it

The three superstates and their territories.

Filmography

Released in 1984, the movie stars John Hurt as Winston Smith, Suzanna Hamilton as Julia, and Richard Burton as O'Brien.

The Soundtrack was recorded by The Eurythmics

Eurythmics Trailer

Movie Trailer

George Orwell

George Orwell was born Eric Arthur Blair on June 25, 1903. Orwell is best known for his literature in opposition to totalitarianism and repression. Surprisingly, Orwell's family did not have a lot of money, even though he was born into a wealthy lineage. At the age of one his mother, Ida Blair, moved to England from India, Orwell's birthplace, with her son. Orwell attended Catholic private school, and later studied at Eton College, where he had Aldous Huxley as a French professor. Orwell then became a teacher, all the while writing numerous works of various literature, many of which were originally rejected by publishers. On June 9, 1936 Orwell married Eileen O'Shaughnessy. In December of the same year, Orwell travelled to Spain to help fight in the Spanish Civil War. He saw live action on the front, and was eventually shot in the neck. Upon recovering, Orwell found that he and his friends were being persecuted as fascists, and left Spain. As World War One raged, Orwell published one of his most noteworthy novels, Animal Farm, a satire of the Soviet Republic. Later, in 1949, he published Nineteen Eighty-Four. After the death of Orwell's wife, (whom he had cheated on) he married Sonia Brownell, who acted as a mother to his son, Richard, in the hospital where he was staying. On January 21, 1950, Orwell died following an arterial burst in his lungs.

Oranges and Lemons

The Lyrics of the English Nursery Rhyme of Churches:

Oranges and Lemons

Oranges and lemons,

Say the bells of St. Clement's.

You owe me five farthings,
Say the bells of St. Martin's.

When will you pay me?
Say the bells of Old Bailey.

When I grow rich,
Say the bells of Shoreditch.

When will that be?
Say the bells of Stepney.

I do not know,
Says the great bell of Bow.

Here comes a candle to light you to bed,
And here comes a chopper to chop off your head!


This rhyme is used in the book to display the loss of rituals that were once shared by the people, ironically, now only those doomed to die know the lines.
Although these are the words, Orwell oddly says "You owe me three farthings."

This rhyme has been alluded to many times since its origin including in the 1951 "Scrooge," a Supertramp song, and a Clash song. A drink mixture of oranges and lemon soda is also known as a St. Clements.

I understand HOW: I do not understand WHY.

     Freedom is the freedom to say that two plus two make four. If that is granted, all else follows.

     We are at war with EastAsia. We have always been at war with EastAsia.

     "Under the spreading chestnut tree I sold you and you sold me: There lie they, and here lie we Under the spreading chestnut tree."

      Doublethink: To tell deliberate lies while genuinely believing them

Impressions

     1984 is an excellent hypothesis on the future situation of 1940's America. This social commentary exposes the true hypocrisy of "the perfect society." Only the dull can be happy while those who are aware are forced to portray an air of happiness. This book is captivated and enthralling and a very pleasant read. I would recommend this book to anyone, especially if you liked Animal Farm or Fahrenheit 451. Along with many others in the 1940's, Orwell was afraid of excessive government control, especially that mirroring the actions of the communist party. In both this book and Animal Farm, he criticizes socialist actions and exposes the corruption that lies in the heart of "the Party." As stated in the novel, the Party wants control merely to have power, not for anything else.

1984--Summary

In a world of perpetual surveillance and supreme control of the people by the "Party," (the government) a man in his late thirties, Winston Smith, decides to take control of his own life. By gradual acts of betrayal, Winston eventually becomes totally against the party. He commits "thoughtcrime" and even writes his corrupt thoughts in a diary, though well out of sight of the ever-vigilant telescreens. Despite being completely disloyal to the party, Winston is able to portray a loyal comrade of the enormous province of Oceania (the Americas and England). At work, Winston meets the bulky O'Brien and by the looks exchanged between the two of them, judges him to be a friend, also against the party.
     In a strange twist of fate, Winston discovers that Julia, the young, stiff, dark-haired girl from the Ministry of Fiction, is actually in love with him. Despite her cold demeanor and avid participation in the Junior Anti-Sex League, she is actually a thoughtcriminal as well, and the two quickly fall in love. They decide to join the Brotherhood, the underground organization headed by Emmanuel Goldstein, the original thoughtcriminal and public enemy number one. After being inducted by O'Brien, the two lovers retreat to their secret "love shack" to read Goldstein's infamous book. However, they are soon awoken by an ominous squawk from a hidden telescreen and the sound of rapidly approaching footsteps...

What is in Room One Oh One

Are you sure you want to know?

Room 101

"What is in Room One Oh One?