What would happen if a person’s humanity is slowly stripped away? Would one be able to notice? Will it be irreversible? These questions drive the intentions behind George Orwell’s book, 1984. The work is a standalone book with no other novel-based extensions. The story centers around a worker named Winston Smith, a party member of a faction in the distant future’s government, the Ministry of Truth. From the start, it is clear that Winston’s society acts as a reality where all of society’s unfavorable conditions are taken to the extreme. From living quarters with 24-hour surveillance to other departments of government blatantly expressing harmful phrases such as “WAR IS PEACE, FREEDOM IS SLAVERY and IGNORANCE IS STRENGTH” it is clear that Winston’s future is an unfathomable predicament. I thoroughly enjoyed the book, as its language allowed me to immerse myself in the story. The world that is portrayed is unlike our own, it is meant to be a dislikable reality, however, the in-depth sense of world-building allowed me to be immersed in the story that was being told. I enjoyed how specific the book was with its details. One scene in particular was Winston’s encounter with his friend who supported their society’s motives. He described how the dictionary slowly limited the number of existing words every passing year, condensing thought into nothing but its most basic and simplistic definitions, essentially erasing any deeper thought. The way Winston’s friend describes his work through an artistic lens expresses a sense of realism that is not common in other novels, and even though the views that were expressed were completely beyond rational, the language used convinced me that there can be someone like Winston’s friend who supports ideas that are opposite to what is considered normal. Overall, I highly consider giving this work a read, as although its world is completely alien to our own, its sense of depth and realism can truly immerse a reader.
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