GEORGE ORWELL

1984

George Orwell wrote 1984 in 1949 foreboding what shape one-party-states might take after 35 years. This dystopian novel hints at the extrinsic and intrinsic subjugation of the citizens under totalitarian governments. Its story line fictionalizes the party dictators' overpowering authority to control all types of freedom of individuals, even their freedom of thinking. At many points of this narrative, there are echoes of the dictatorial policies of Mussolini, Stalin and Hitler. The writer focuses on the essentials of party dictatorship that entails spying, tortures, brainwashing and elimination of all opponents. It is a serious political novel that reemphasizes the age-old debate: what is more important the people or the state?