Mrs. McConkey
ENG3UE
Dec. 2, 2011
Before reading George Orwell's 1984, I already had a sense of the basic themes portrayed throughout the novel. I had read Animal Farm, another of Orwell's classics which is often related to 1984, I was aware of the situation the people of Oceania found themselves in, and I understood, for the most part, The Party and it's implications. Due to my prior knowledge and estimations I did not find the plot-line to be extremely riveting (it was somewhat ruined for me), however, I am very glad that I read the novel and am now in possession of the lessons it imparted, if not for any other reason than that I do believe to have gained a new sense of controlled paranoia, if you will.
During the time I was reading 1984 I was immersed within a twisted version of my own life, to a certain extent, forcing me to re-evaluate myself and the ways in which I am controlled by the modern day Big Brothers. I found myself reading simple posters and signs, wondering if on some unconscious level that the word-choice being used was somehow meddling with the way my thoughts processed the information. I felt a personal connection with Winston, as I'm certain anyone could, which made the real world and Oceania that much more intertwined. Through Orwell's bleak portrayal of totalitarianism I was exposed to a whole new range of "thoughtcrime" that I had not ever really given much thought to before. Is there any greater gift a novel can give than the ability to examine your own life through a different shade? I don't think so.
Due to my prior knowledge of the novel I do feel somewhat robbed of the full effect that I'm sure many people receive upon reading. However I was still affected by it, and while I did not gain the full aspect of the world created by George Orwell, I had tasted enough of it to be able to appreciate it for it's ultimate mastery.
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