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This book was interesting in the sense that a lot of the takeaways were harsh realities. Most books leave you with a satisfied, happy feeling, but after reading 1984 I feel somewhat unfulfilled and stirred. Some of the main themes developed in this novel include:
- Captivity is the result of hunger for power and perfection.
- The individual will always chose himself over another, despite what he tries to make himself believe or do
- You are never truly alone
- Power comes from manipulation of the past
-etc.
The over-arching theme I got from this novel is that psychological control is the strongest power an individual could have. This control can be beneficial, but it can also be a man's worst enemy. In 1984, Winston's sanity and self preservation are dependent on his ability to psychologically control his emotions and feelings. Once he loses mental control, the government takes over and he is broken beyond a chance of recovering.

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Other readers that are up for a different type of story should most definitely read this book! The setting of the story is very different than anything most people will ever experience personally; although after reading the story, you feel as if you lived in the setting of 1984, yourself. Not only this, but George Orwell crafted a thought out story line to keep you engaged and on your toes at all times. I have to say that I was never able to predict what was going to happen next.

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I really enjoyed the way George Orwell chose to end this book. It was different than the ending of your typical dystopian story. I also loved the amount of description Orwell used when developing settings, characters, etc. It captivated me and made me feel like a part of the story.
I did not like the fact that we never learned more about Winston's mother and his past life. This mainly comes as a result of my curiosity, and I understand how Orwell used this as a writing technique to stir up emotions and mystery. At the same time, I was frustrated when we never figured out what happened to his family.

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Matched is about a girl named Cassia who lives in a seemingly utopian community. Citizens are controlled by the government when it comes to where they live, who they are allowed to care about, where they work, and when they will die. This reminds me of 1984 because in both instances, the government of the societies works to create the false idea that everything is perfect and utopian. In reality, it is the exact opposite and citizens never get the opportunity to truly live because they are so controlled.

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https://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/the-holocaust
This article goes into depth about some of the history and details behind the Holocaust. The practices implemented in the Jewish concentration camps remind me of the some of the ways the government of Oceania treats its citizens. In the concentration camps, everyone was constantly told how to live, deprived of necessary resources, lied to, and monitored. In the same way, the citizens of 1984 are very controlled when it comes to their daily routine and are always being watched or listened to through a telescreen. They also lack many resources because of the small rations the government is allowing them to have. Lastly, they are told lies about what is happening to prevent any distrust in the government. George Orwell makes small references to Nazi Germany to suggest these similarities throughout the book.

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The book begins in an old, musty hallway and Winston Smith is headed to his job. We learn quickly that he is living in Oceania, a dystopian society. In his society, he is always being monitored in some way or another. Whether it be through the close examination of his movements through a telescreen, or the listening to his words through a microphone, he is never alone. Big Brother is developed as the governmental figure that watches over the citizens of Oceania and after a short introduction to Winston's life, we understand that he is not supportive of his government. In fact, is against his government and is constantly looking for small, secretive ways to rebel. His small tastes of freedom cause a greater desire for change. Between his desire and intellect, only time will show how Winston slowly becomes his worst enemy.

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I chose a picture of a seesaw to represent the constant instability in 1984. Nothing ever adds up or creates balance. One minute Oceania is at war with Eurasia and the next their at war with Eastasia. Every time the enemy is changed, every single documents is changed to eliminate evidence that the government was wrong. Just as soon as all of the documents are changed, they need to be changed back. It emphasizes the monotony of life. There is never just peace (where the seesaw would lift everyone in the air at once). It is always tipping from side to side.

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I chose a glass cup to symbolize the transparency of everyone's life in 1984. Despite Winston's perception that he is hiding his feelings and actions from the government, the government is analyzing every breath he is taking in. There is no way of getting around the system. It is as if Winston and Julia are stuck inside the glass cup, trying to hide behind the glass walls, yet there is no way to hide or escape the view of people on the outside.

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The slogan, War is Peace, is used by the Party throughout the book and its purpose is to convince citizens that war is a normal, every-day thing. One way this picture can be interpreted is in the idea that weapons and war create peace. As it says on page 199, "A peace that was truly permanent would be the same as a permanent war."

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Winston: A citizen in the society of 1984 that is very intellectual. He is 39 years old and he works in the Records Department of the Ministry of Truth. Winston hates the level of enforcement the government has over its citizens and makes small efforts to rebel against it.

Julia: Julia is another citizen of the society in 1984. She has dark hair and works in the Fiction Department of the Ministry of Truth. She is also against the government and finds ways to rebel, while hiding her anger at the same time. She and Winston finally meet and become lovers later on in the book. They rebel against the government together, by participating in acts of affection.

O'Brien: O'Brien is an Inner Party member, but based on a short period of eye contact with Winston early on in the book, his character is slightly mysterious. Winston wonders if he could possibly be a part of the Brotherhood and secretly be working against the Party.

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I would give this book a 4.5 out of 5 stars.

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By George Orwell