1984 By George Orwell

Yesterday I watched this much talked about movie based on the best-selling novel of the same title by George Orwell. The movie is slow but successfully encapsulates the main story.

The story is set in 1984 in London that is the capital of a country called Oceania. While the whole world comprises of three countries namely Eastasia, Eurasia and Oceania.

Oceania, the totalitarian country is led by a mysterious character known as Big Brother. In that society, thought process is completely forbidden and falling in love except with Big Brother is a crime while Winston Smith, the protagonist, commits both of them. He falls for a girl and together they dare to rebel.

One day Winston meets a man, O’Brian whom he misunderstands for a member of an underground rebel group called Brotherhood. O’Brian actually belongs to the Inner Party and that is a trap laid by him for Winston. After apprehension both Winston and Julia are sent to the Ministry of Love, which is kind of a rehabilitation center for the criminals accused of thought-crime.

There Winston is tortured and brainwashed until his beliefs coincide with those of the Party. He is later on released back into the society.

The story is very interesting and the movie gave me the creeps upon seeing the totalitarian society – under the constant monitoring of listening and viewing devices – the torture and brainwashing techniques and lastly the room 101.

I have got a fair idea as to what the story is about but I still long to read the novel. I might go for it!

Big Brother is Watching

Quotes: “War is peace, freedom is slavery, ignorance is strength.”

“You must love Big Brother. It is not enough to obey him; you must love him.”