1984: Big Brother is Always Watching

George Orwell's novel 1984 tells of a world divided into three different States, all under sovereign and totalitarian rule: Oceania, Eurasia, and Eastasia. The novel focuses on one individual in Oceania (this included the United Kingdom) who goes against society's expectations. This man, Winston, believes there is a brotherhood, one that is the answer—the ultimate defender—to this world. In his process of discovery, he meets a woman named Julia and uncovers more of the world than he had ever thought he could, especially about Big Brother.

The term "Big Brother is watching" was all-pervasive in this world, and the slogan: War is peace; freedom is slavery; ignorance is strength. Meaning that the world we know goes against everything that 1984 stands for, and in fact, there was nothing left of our world, and anyone who believes they can escape will also be destroyed.

It's been a while since I've read a book that left me both frustrated and deep in thought. I wouldn't say I like how it ended, but this is on purpose. The very act of what happens is meant to spark something inside each one of us. This anger is what gives us action. It makes us move, propel forward because, otherwise, all that is left is depression and self-annihilation.

After finishing this book, I couldn't go to sleep, not immediately. Instead, I had to write this. 1984 deserves 5/5 stars, not for the satisfaction of the story, but for the fact, I'm angry. Orwell is a talented writer who gets deep into your bones. He doesn't tell you how to think; rather, he makes you feel the anger. It's this kind of writing I love in a book, and it leaves more of a mark on a person—on me.

1984 explores complex topics that may be totally lost on an individual if not "shown." He makes us ask the questions: what IS creativity? Power? Love? WHY should it be important? This book breaks it all down, rips it limb from limb. It exposes everything for what it really is, and as the reader, you must undergo your own self-actualization to survive the read because this story is too close to home. It's too real, despite when it was written. Humans don't change, not really. We are stuck in this roundabout way of thought and slavery. And if we're not careful, those thoughts will be taken away from us. Big Brother will take those away. We will be enslaved by the government's thoughts, actions, and feelings.

Orwell writes to make us uncomfortable. Knowing his background, I'm guessing he wrote 1984, not for the enjoyment, but for the very act that it HAD to be written.

Given our current times, every citizen of every country should read 1984. Since the book's release, our world has changed considerably, but I don't think it has necessarily been for the better. For instance, the UK has CCTV for 24/7 surveillance of its citizens. China has something similar, and they use facial recognition and a point system to determine your worth in society. The US has an entire agency set for spying on its citizens. These are just three of probably hundreds—thousands of examples. We are moving toward the very existence 1984 cautioned us against. We're allowing it with our ignorance.

Read this book not to find satisfaction or the love of reading; instead, read this book for your duty as a human. You may not be pleased with the end, and I hope you're not. Because with that anger, maybe just maybe, we can become better people and make the world a better place. But perhaps, that is too much wishful thinking. Because really, isn't...

Big Brother already watching?

Elizabeth Suggs is the owner and founder of Editing Mee. When she’s not writing or editing, she loves to dive deep into books (the weirder, the better!), and she loves to take random long walks to unplanned destinations. Check out her recently released book Collective Darkness with eleven other authors. Buy your copy here: www.CollectiveDarkness.com

Book Review: 1984