I can't think of a non-cheesy way to start this post so I'll just dive in. This book was crazy good, wow! For the first time in my life I dogeared pages and marked passages in one of my books. It was quite a journey, though I'm happy to report that I didn't cry at the end which is a big deal for me. However, I didn't cry because I wasn't surprised by the ending, a fact which I will discuss later.
First I want to discuss the passages I marked, I marked them because they are some of the most beautiful I've ever read. There's just something about human spirit fighting oppression that gets me.(pounding of chest at this point)
The first is personal to me as one of my mantras is, "Everyone's crazy but me" This quote from the book had a familiar ring.
"There was truth and there was untruth, and if you clung to the truth even against the whole world, you were not mad."
The next I think I might have choked up at. For these reasons I prefer to read alone, I must be part Vulcan with the whole deep running emotions stuff. But if I choked up I had good reason as this is one of the most hauntingly beautiful set of words I've ever read. Quick set up we all know 1984 is a dsytopia, but the reason the main character Winston is saying this to the girl, Julia, is that they live with the constant pressure of being discovered to be against Big Brother and the consequences that would follow.
"I don't mean confessing. Confession is not betrayal. What you say or do doesn't matter; only feelings matter. If they could make me stop loving --that would be the real betrayal."
She thought it over. "They can't do that," she said finally. "It's the one thing they can't do. They can make you say anything--anything-- but they can't make you believe it. They can't get inside you."
"No," he said a little more hopefully, "no; that's quite true. They can't get inside you. If you can feel that staying human is worth while, even when it can't have any result whatever, you've beaten them"
Oh so tender. Of course the book goes onto destroy even that sentiment. Which is what brings me to my literary analysis. Orwell presents you with a romantic character, romantic because of their situation and their attitude towards it. Then this character shares with you (the reader)
his hopes.
In this case, that he finds his rebellion living within the deepest parts of himself. Then Orwell systematically destroys that hope in the character and you. In music I believe it's called inverting, Fugue in D minor does it by introducing a melody and then later basically playing it upside down. And that's what happens here, highest high, lowest low. "They can't get inside you." Oh yes they can Winston and they do. Orwell not only destroys the character's hope and rebellion but the reader's as well. That is what I meant by I knew what the ending was going to be. Not because I'm smart but because it had been engrained into me as well as Winston for 50 pages. The tourture didn't stop untill Winston had lost hope and when he did, I did. For awhile I had hoped that it was like V for Vendetta. That Obrian was just preparing Winston for rebellious work in the brotherhood. But after a bit I abanonded that idea, and realized that it would all end when they wanted it to, because they had total control. When Winston was as they say, "Perfect". I'm afraid I must make a confession, this bother's me because I'm not a conceeded person. I like happy endings, I tried to convince myself that I didn't, that happy endings were so "common place" and I was above such dribble. I even cheered at the end of the movie Cloverfield because everybody dies. All characters you meet, dead. But that B-C grade movie's got nothing on 1984. Because 1984 ends with hopelessness and that's the saddest thing of all. As to what Orwell was trying to convey to the world with this book I won't say, I'll leave that to others, mostly because I'm too sad to think about it anymore, mostly.
41 comments:
Hooray AJ, you've read 1984! It's my favorite book ever! My favorite part is where you realize all hope is lost and there's no point trying to fight the machine because it's too big and powerful for any man to take on. Yay!
Well the lost hope part wasn't my favorite part, but it was incredible how painful it was to go through.
Exactly. So now that you've read it you're ready to join me in my liberal/hippy/socialist ways.
damn hippies. what with their drug paraphenelia and loosely fit clothing. i'm just going to do a mini-post on 1984:
orwell was a socialist who went to spain in the 19__s to fight against the fascist forces and there teamed up with the comintern (lenin's boy scouts) to fight back the perceived threat of hitler/mussolini/yadayada's new fascist dictatorships (of course forgetting how terrible the dictatorship of the soviets were).
that was when orwell first encountered what the commies were really like, and he knew they were way off base. he never abandoned his fabian socialist viewpoints (b/c he's english and they're only so smart) but he perceived better than most the danger that communism portended and the machine that would be necessary to perpetuate its existence.
so really, though orwell never shaped up completely, he wrote a couple incredible books that illustrated the true dangers that no one was recognizing as inherent to the communist movement.
p.s. when the commies first read 1984, all they could say was they wanted to know how orwell understood the society they were wanting to build so well. hm. damn commies.
Charlie Chaplin was a socialist. He was also secretly a communist but he never told anyone, he always said things like, "I'm not a communist but I basically embrace communist ideology," and he had a chit-chat with Wells about it once.
I dislike 1984. All of the fear and hopelessness of Animal Farm, with none of the wittiness or clever farm animal metaphors.
Sure there's clever animal metaphors Kelsi, you're forgetting the rats!
And Ken, remember that Wells is from a different time and place than us: England in the early 20th century. What could be more depressing? Think about it. And if I know you (and I do), you'd probably be a socialist just out of righteous anger if you grew up during the Industrial Revolution and saw how much crap the workers had to take. Plus being a socialist would give you an excuse to go shoot yourself some fascists, whoo!
"if capitalism created the proletariat, it did so by enabling more to survive and procreate."
the industrial revolution did not hurt poor people. for he first time EVER they were able to escape the malthusian trap thanks to ever increasing wages and a higher standard of living. were their bosses always good guys? absolutely not. but they were the class that was barely surviving under reign of feudal lords that could choose to massacre them at any time and had no compulsions stealing from them under a very legal banner.
so no. i would not have been a commie or a socialist if i had any brains.
Yes Ken, that's a very good and well-thought out argument, although that quote definitely falls on the dark side. Here's my rebuttal: England. C'mon, you try living there. No man can do it and keep his sanity intact.
och aye! how'm i s'posed to 'espond to a bla'enly correct statement li' 'at?!
That was more of a Scottish or Irish accent... nice try, though.
(And we know if you were living in Ireland in the the early 1900s, all you would be learning is how to rot potatoes).
Also, keep in mind that educational conditions were vastly different in early 20th century England. You probably wouldn't have all the opportunities for education as an upper middle class American. So I don't know if you would have had the chance to get your hands on a copy of The Fountainhead. Luke isn't saying you wouldn't have any brains, he's just saying that perchance your brains would be acted on by different environmental circumstances.
Ah, the ol' nature versus nurture. Now this blog is getting finally getting interesting! Good, because I was tired talking about books. Revolt! Revolution! Rev... tardation!
Not that I'm a socialist. BECAUSE I'M NOT. Capitalism all the way, all night long!
Also, I am very happy that this blog has been revitalized, because I was worried that everyone had given up on it and I was going to be posting about C.S. Lewis and Walden for the rest of my life.
A few good posts and we're back online!!! I love it and the comments are the real reason I post. I must whole heartedly agree with Luke's position about merry ole' England. Though I'm not sure what political affilations I myself would hold. However, I can say that if living in Logan has taught me anything about sunlight deprevation, I probably would have hung myself at the hands of Big Ben (there's a pun in there) before I ever reached an age that I could reason or develop complex thoughts. Yet as I think about it if some self-absorbed political activest came by and blew any form of sunshine up my butt I'd probably jump on board. Thankfully my anncestors, from whom I probably inherited my suceptability to winter blues, jumped on the Jesus wagon and came to sunny Zion. Though some of them did live in Logan and Rich county but again fled to sunnier areas.
Your ancestors probably developed winter blues because winter killed so many of them. I feel the same way about lime disease.
ahhhh....the lime disease.
and commies suck.
so does winter.
Oh, and here's the scenario that would play out had we Kelsi, Ken, and I grown up during the early 19th century.
I, a humble street child who never had enough brains to hold my head up, went to work at a factory early and witnessed the appalling conditions firsthand, seeing my best friend lose his arm in a mechanized loom. It is at this factory that my feelings of anarchy are engendered. By the time I'm 19, I'm throwing bombs during workers strikes and posting propaganda all over town.
Kelsi becomes a feminist writer, calling for all sisters of the world to unite against the maleocracy and gain control of the civil rights that belong to them while also writing some delightful novels, poems, and plays along the way.
Ken, due to his shrewd business sense and natural brilliance, excels at school and eventually becomes a high-ranking lawyer who believes strongly in capitalism and its virtues.
Due to our political differences, we became estranged from one another, rarely speaking and only meeting to take care of our sickly mother who ultimately dies of consumption.
Then one tragic day, I get involved in a workers riot down at the docks. In the ensuing madness a mounted cop bludgeons me in the head with his truncheon, knocking me down, at which point his horse stomps my chest to a concave, bloody mess.
Ken, who hears that I was to be involved in a strike, rushes to the docks to stop me from participating, but too late! For there I lie, sputtering blood and gasping for air. He cradles me in his arms as the life seeps out of me, and right there renounces his capitalism, pledging to fight for the rights of all people until universal equality is a reality. Kelsi doesn't really care, as she's in New York with all the upper class socialites, being crazy and fancy free even before the flappers made it cool.
And that's chapter 1.
I don't like my story.
Where is the intrigue! Where is the relevant social change! Where are the moustaches!
I would like it better instead if I was a liberated woman who became a diamond tycoon in Africa and then had to flee up the river with Humphrey Bogart when the natives revolted.
(At one point, I will wear a false moustache to help aid my escape from the hostiles.)
Oh Luke, accompanied with endearing chuckle. And Kelsen I think said moustache should be inspired by Mr. CC of one post down. And you can't go wrong with a bowler hat, tis the season.
i have absolutely nothing to contribute to the conversations here except the following:
1. it's nice to hear from you all again
2. it's actually spelled lyme disease
3. 1984 makes me sad and that is why i only read books that are happy and lovely and don't make me want to strangle my hopeless self
4. i know #3 makes me sound like a dumb little girl but i'm not, as proven by #2. i'm no literary genius but i can spell.
and that's the girl i married! ain't she a keepa'?
First of all let me just say that I am wholeheartedly offended that I didn't even make the early 19th century scenario.
Second of all socialism would only ever work if the government were perfect. As it is I believe correct education is the key. I am a firm believer in the idea of teaching people correct principles and letting them govern themselves (that's a quote from a very wise philosopher).
Third of all, don't worry AJ I've devised our place in the early 17/18th century. (Hint: We're on a boat..well you are on my ship and I'm on a deserted Island drunkenly devising how to take you down).
socialism will never work. ever. i recommend road to serfdom for those who need further elaborating.
luke, don't even try to argue with me.
Well, maybe it will work after the Second Coming, let's please not be hasty, Kenneth. And there's no reason to get acrimonious up in heah.
Kristin, I agree with your point number three, I definitely prefer happy endings or AT LEAST ambiguous endings, and 1984 fails to deliver on both of those counts.
Also, MY LAST COMMENT HAD A GRAMMATICAL ERROR, AUGH WHAT HAVE I DONE. My credibility is shot to pieces!
I know socialism will never work, I don't want you all to think that I'm one of those commie pinkos who support it. But neither will an entirely free market ever work because of the inherent selfish nature of people to get as much of the pie as they can, regardless of how everyone else is affected. I don't know what the perfect form of economy and government is, but I'm pretty sure we haven't found it yet.
1984 is the greatest book eva. Anyone who doesn't think so should be struck down with lemon & lime disease.
I must say you've all made me so happy. I believe I've beaten Lord Conan's Grand Defender, for the number of comments a post has generated! I'm so proud.
I can sum up the problem with government/economic senarios, I don't think it's deep or profound, but I'm sure I'm right on the money(pun). Greed and lack of conscience. If the people at the top could be satisfied with enough and simply pay their employees more and invest in more responsible business practices I think that would go a long way. But I must tongue and cheek that as an architect because the peeps wid the dough build the coolest buildings. I suppose as long as I use them for my means, as tools in my design it's ok ethically for me. Must go now.
Arrrr, ee Kelsheea, how's yer plank?
capitalism doesn't mean no enforcement of social behavior, it just means social behavior is enforced through social norms and no one is forced to accept someone else's standard of 'just distribution' or any of that crap.
i promise when i have time i shall do a long thought on capitalism, the second coming and capitalism, and all such things.
this post is amazing.
this blog is amazing.
How dare you AJ! You come off that high horse and realize that if it were not for me and my first comment, this post would have been lost and forgotten like an old Christmas tree on the side of the road. For shame.
I agree with Kenny, and Luke.
That seems odd and somewhat contradictory.
I will explain.
This blog is amazing, and AJ would be nothing without Luke, Kenny, and Kelsen.
It takes two to tango Luke! Think of me as the germinating sperm and you as the lovely egg. Together an amazing post and amazing comments have born awesomeness. Now of course I prefered the male reference in that reference but I will conceed that the reverse order is probably more accurate. The post was fertilized by Luke's comment, and spawned awesomeness. But this is my comment and I'll spin it as I please. Spin docta
It's "scenario."
It's "chronological."
It's "legitimately."
It's "definitely."
It's "capitalism."
I couldn't resist. Kristin's correcting "lyme" disease awoke the beast. And I've been waiting so long! Forgive me!
OH NO YOU DINET!! (Said with angry black woman sass) For my rebuttal, Kelsen, I have devised a nasty piece of work which I hope will stab like 8 fillet knifes to the center of your possessed grammatical craziness. This is in attempt to free our dear friend Kelsen from this unholy obsession that has taken her. Plus I have always found those with obsessions to trivial dogmatic institutions, grammar in this case, to be the owners of vacant unimaginative minds. Minds which out of fear of their own emptiness must band themselves together with foolish rules as hollow and pointless as their own thoughts. By banding together to play house like children in the sand box they create an even greater structure out of their own souls, and marvel at their own creation and false sense substance. Yet it is a house of cards easily blown away, with only the sound of impetuously stamping feet as it crumbles, such is dogma. Now Kelsen, I refuse to believe that you have lent yourself to such an institution and have therefore concluded on possession. Let the exorcism begin! I shall let your own words try and recall you from the void:
Taranaich, (Kelsen) my friend, I'm sure we all appreciate your thoughtful castigation of our friend's hilarious post, but I'd like to (fittingly) point out some of the errors you committed in doing so:
-You failed to realize that Luke (AJ) was attempting to describe Conan (something) to folks who had never read or heard of him, not to a group of slavish fans (like yourself (Kelsen)). I found his "article" (as you called it, though, in my opinion, this blog is a little too casual to warrant the name)light-hearted and fun, not intended to be laced with deep meaning about the inner symbolic workings of a Conan the Barbarian story.(Whatever AJ was talking about)
-Another thing you failed to realize is that this blog is meant to be a sort of "friend" project. I think you went into this with the sad misconception that this blog is some sort of serious publication. Nay! Luke (AJ) was offering his opinion of the Conan (maybe grammar by this point I'm not sure) stories that he has read to a small group of people he knows and trusts. I doubt, when he wrote this post, that he expected a creepy fan (Kelsen) to come out of left field and eviscerate him.
In other words, this is basically a private conversation, and you, my friend(The demon within Kelsen), are butting in. No doubt you have an unquenchable desire to PROTECT THE GOOD NAME OF CONAN (GRAMMAR) THE BARBARIAN AT ALL COSTS, but, quite frankly, your criticism is unwelcome and unnecessary (and coming from the demon inside you and not yourself).
However, realizing that the Internet is not yet a privatized institution, I recognize your right to appear foolish to strangers.
Come back to us Kelsen! We are so much more fun than grammar. Demons out! Demons out!
There that should do it, and to show that I bear no ill will (name that disney quote) I copied, pasted, deleted, spell checked, copied, pasted, and re-posted my comment which so offended the grammar demon.
Oh and as soon as I hit "Publish Your Comment" The blog will read, "Posted by AJ at 8:22 AM 30 comments pencil logo" So Luke you make gratefully accept the joint creation scenario I'm graciously presenting, or I will solely claim the chronological right to glory that is legitimately mine. In which case I would definitely have to become the egg and just say I was inseminated by an outside source. Ah outsourcing, there's capitalism for ya.
WHAT. WHAT. You'd use my own words against me, eh! Well!
I'm not obsessed! I'm THOROUGH! There is a profound difference between the two that SOME PEOPLE ON THIS BLOG fail to recognize. I called you out on your poor spelling because I care. It was an act of philanthropy, not belligerence! And I think that your using an old comment against me was an extreme overreaction.
It's not criticism! It's correction! And if we're going to be nitpicky about semantics, I was correcting your spelling, not criticizing your grammar. If I was criticizing your grammar, I would first attack your apparent lack of understanding about commas.
Also, I find it very hurtful that you compared me to Taranaich the Barbarian.
Kelsen, I completely agree! Because you are right. The comparison was an overreaction just as chemo-therapy is an overreaction to cancer. My intent was to hit the correction (formerly grammar(apparently the grammar demon desires to be called “correction”) demon with all the guns. Swift and hard enough to prevent recovery. If Kelsen was hurt in the attack, well it is for the same reasons that cancer patients have no hair. To the now badly damaged “correction” demon I say this, you may attack my use of commas all day everyday including holidays. I've had a writing teacher tell me one thing and an English teacher tell me another. Even Tech-writer Krista said the rules (again rules invented by empty headed ninnies) vary widely from profession to profession. Therefore, I'll use them as I please. For the comma is the largest flaw in the grammatical house of cards. One that I intend to exploit and bring the whole stack down. When I have my way human language will be simplified and all deeper, thoughtful meaning eliminated. Then I shall have posters put up of myself everywhere to let all know that "I'm watching"! Mu ha Mu ha Mu ha ha ha HA!!
As an olive leaf I will from now on type my comments in word, spell check the copy/paste.
And it must be admitted that my retort was both masterful and grand!
No! That doesn't have to be admitted, because it isn't true!
After eviscerating your use of commas, I will move onto your love affair with the sentence fragment.
NOT SPEAKING OF GRAMMAR, BUT SPEAKING OF 1984:
www.ificandream.com and click "Watch Live"
These people are being watched 24/7. We can watch them from our computers, for some stupid reality TV show.
Isn't that insane? It blew my mind, when I found out about it. What sort of person would you have to be to agree to this?
The only thing that matters is being famous.
And AJ, you devil, you got the simplified language scenario from '1984'. Well done.
I'm sure I do love the sentence fragment. Just as I love criticism. I welcome it which is more than I can say for some. Therefore if you aren't willing to fight your own demons Kelsen I suppose we'll have to live with it. You may tell grammar demon he has won. He may critique my grammar. The only correction I can't abide is that on spelling errors. But as I now type my comments in word and then copy/paste, the demon may be at peace in that victory as well.
P.S.
I haven't watched the video yet so I can't comment.
I just watched on said website and it was super awkward! I watched some sloppy emo unload the dishwasher. I didn't care for it at all. I was most unfulfilled because I couldn't shout at this person, “867549! Take off that hat and unflattering pants! Wash your hair and shave!”
Post a Comment