I trhink that Orwell wrote this book to warn us of what our society might become, and that it's not impossible for this to happen because at the time that he wrote the book other countries already had this kind of society.
The signs of the times whe Orwell wrote it sugested that rapid changes in society that were coming soon. So it seems logical that he predicted a close date
The people don't know the year there in due to the purging of history, also i doubt that Orwell thought this would happen, i think it was more of a story.
George Orwell saw all of the corruption going on in the world. Many of the world powers were becoming communist and totalitarian; what was to stop others from succumbing to those ways without really knowing what was beneath the sugar-coated covering over communism.
I think Orwell used it to say that the government can change very quickly. It was a warning in saying that it may be going quickly downhill from the point in time in which Orwell wrote the book. I think he was trying to warn us that the government may be at its worst point soon and not to give into communism. Also, by saying 1984, it's in the near future and it scares some people and makes people aware of what might be.
I think he thought these things would happen so soon becuase during the 1940's technology was progressing drastically as well as the industry was growing. It was a warning from what he was experiencing during his time.
I think that George Orwell wrote this book as a warning to us as to what can happen to our soceity. He took information from the time that he was living in and turned it into a huge predection as to what can happen to us if we continue on destructive patterns. He emphasizes the impact of the war and how terrible it is by using what he is witnessing in his life. I agree with Rheanna, if someone wrote a book like this predicting this for a nearer date such as 2020, we would FREAK OUT. But if someone wrote something like this for 300 years in the future, we wouldn't care as much. He wrote this to get our attention and really alarm us and get us to change our ways and stop creating an awful future.
I think that the neighbor's kids are a great example of the government having complete control over the people. They are so brainwashed to believe whatever they choose them to believe, and I think this relates back to Fahrenheit 451 with the system of government there.
I think that George Orwell believed that his country would change quickly because of the other government changes happening in other contries, many of these changes being reflected in his book. For example, communism is reflected in his book along with many countries in the world.
Also, improvements in technology and the changes in our society through the way we live are also reflected.
I agree with Matt and Cassie. It's the general idea of things that scare people not one specific event or year. There are many perspectives to an issue. One side is almost always opposite the other. For example, North Korea is bad to us and to North Korea, we're the bad guys.
Which event Mr. Hawthorne told us about yesterday do you think most impacted Orwell when he was writing 1984? For instance, do you think it was Russia and its communism, WWII, that really made an impact on Orwell and 1984?
I agree with John Michael in that the kids didn't really suspect Winston himself, I think they just had the instinct because they thought it was simply a "game" to them.
I think that the next generation symbolizes a loss of hope and past memory, that the things we believe will be influenced so much that we don't think any other way.
@Maria- I think not just one event added up to make Orwell write this book, but that all the nations against the U.S. were gaining so much power and control.
The kids are the purist form of the government, due to the fact they cant remember what was, and they are told only lies. Mussolini created a school, that brainwashed kids into socialism.
I agree with Eric, this was also metioned in our discussions of F451, kids are so exposed to the media and things that they souldn't necessarily know. Cloe just made an awesome comment, "they are buliding up the next generation." The government is taking over and absolutely controlling everything that happens in the presetn, THE PAST, and the future.
@Maria- I think that it was kind of a bunch of events intermingled to come down to the book. They are establishing that kids are easy to train because they want to learn and they will believe pretty much anything anyone says.
Joe, they don't have to convince the kids to follow the government. They teach them certain things and it pretty much brainwashes them. They don't know any better to not trust the information they're given. They don't know that their government is manipulating them and they are restrained information to prevent the kids from challenging the system. And sometimes, like the Spies, the children think of it as a fun game.
I think the government wants to maintain their progress as well as their power. It's like tradition. People want to pass it down through younger generations to maintain this mentality and allow for progress and the power to continue to get stronger.
I think video games really do have an impact on kids because if they take their anger out on the people in the video game, do any of you think that those choices would turn into violence?
This government rules by fear over Winston's generation. However, the next generation will not even require the government's rule of fear because it will follow because this is how they have been raised.
We have already experienced in the United States a period in which our phone calls were being monitored by the government. George Orwell predicted future events and expressed them through this book.
I don't think Call of Duty is a problem. People choose what they want to play, so if they don't want to be exposed to the kind of material that COD possesses, then that's their choice to make.
@Peter- I think that they possibly could. These programs are putting certain thoughts and ideas into the newer generations. Kids believe what they're told, so if badly influenced, then these kids could be encouraged to act the way of the kids in this book.
We are relating this to our lives, voilence may seem normal to them, but hanging people for joy, does not happen in our lives. So i don't think this really relates to our life. They don't know the difference, but we do.
I think that, like what cloe said, people are desenstized to the point that people are so tied into war and agreement with government that they don't know how to live any other way (in 1984). Violence is something that while discouraged in our society, is encouraged in their society so they are priased in doing so.
I agree with Eric, they don't KNOW any better. They will take whatever comes at them without overwhelming emotions. They are desensitized. Chloe, I agree that our country encourages free thinking but do you think we're steering away from violence? If so, then why are we still releasing blood and gore movies and video games?
Thought crime is not possible in our society. The government cannot regulate our thoughts; they can regulate what we are exposed to, for instance in the video games we play and tv programs we watch but we still have the freedom of our thoughts (thankfully).
I think Winston will try to rise against the system. I think he will maybe try and find Golstein and inform people about how corrupt their government is.
@Abby, of course our society is not exactly like ours. But the main point that we are getting more desensitized. The main point is still there but yes, our world is much less dramatic than Winston's.
I think that Winston is going to revolt somewhere down the line. I think that him writing in the diary is just the first step to having him realize how corrupt society is.
The two minutes hate is absoultely attrocious. I feel that the people are desensitized in a way. but obvioulsy people know that they are getting upset for a reason. How could they not know that the "hate" was not violent. Are they really THAT oblivious? Even though the people are always being "watched", how exactly does the government know what people are thinking? How do the thought police know what people thinking, especially if they shown no physical means of being upset or in thought. I think that the diary represents somemthing a lot deeper then just defying the system. He uses it as an escape. And as we saw in F451, when Montag became aware and an intellectual, he needed someone and something to tell about his knowledge. Winston uses the diary as his escape to write down his feelings, even those he didnt know he was capable of feeling...
I do think that Winston will cange the system. A revolution does not happen over night. Ther is lots of planning with it. Winston is taking the baby steps to this state of mind and will plan more carefully. I don't think he will succed.
@Maria-I think the journal symbolizes his own "little rebellion." I totally agree with Rheana because I think Winston is taking baby steps to finally be strong enough to go against the system.
I think Winston is going to rebel; hiding in the corner and writing in the diary are his first steps towards personal, and possibly socital, revolution.
Anyone can be a thought police, thats what makes it scary. Its the same as Stalin. Even if they fallow the government, thinking is dangerous even though its thinking the same way.
With Eric's point that O'Brien is a member of Thought Police. It's not a bad prediction but I think that the Thought Police are so against rebels that they would be appalled enough to not act like one just to draw in traitors.
I think Brian is symbolic for someone that does defy government, but can't and won't do anything because he is scared. He's ther in contrast to Winston who in the end will do something.
Winston also says that Syme will be vaporized because he saw Syme at the Chestnut Cafe where Goldstein once was spotted. I agree with Cloe, Syme may learn with all hhis knowledge how the government is corrput.
@Cassie--I agree. Do you think he will have more of a personal revolution (through his diary or private sabotage)or that he will lead others in a revolution, despite the danger?
@Emily- I realize that. What I'm saying is I don't think that could ever become our society because even if we are becoming desencitized, we still know you can't just walk around killing people. We always will know that because of generations to pass it down, etc. Unless, we are totally wiped out and start over knowing that is O.K. to do.
I completely agree with Rheana, dictatorships are always paranoid about losing their power and they always think of the possibilities. This person MIGHT have just enough skill to throw the government.
@Maria-I think he will lead other people into a rebellion. I don't think he will tell Syme about the government's wrongdoings;however, because he knows that Syme would turn him into the government.
I think that that it is very wierd that people think that destroying old words and literature is beautiful. I belive that is awful! "Knowledge is power" and the government obviously knows that. They have the people so brainwashed and beliveing EXACTLY what they want it to be. I like the "sparked light and fuse" idea. The whole doublethink thing is also really strange. I guess I just can't even imagine anything happening like this today. Rationing chocolate and razor blades is weird too. Orwell mentioned how people hoard random things because they never know what item coudl be next.
@Madeline--I don't think that Syme will turn him in to the government because he believes in the government. However, he knows too much, so that the government will eventually "vaporize" him.
@Abby- Do you think, if we teach future generations it's okay, they would be able to walk around killing people? Not saying that it's likely to happen in our society. I am just asking IF that would work.
Chocolate is used to represent oter products and wealth, furthermore representing a communistic society in which goods and money are distributed throughout. Chocolater is pleasing and a want, something thats positive used to make a negative in this situation.
@Maria- I think because he believes so strongly in the government and what they do, he would definitely turn Winston in if he told him! Why do you think he wouldn't? Just because he believes in it doesn't mean he won't turn Winston in.
I agree with Rae. Back in 2000, people feared that the entrire world was going to crash. They started hoarding different items, such as food fearing that certain items would disapear. This just shows how what Orwell predicts could happen and it is possible, as well as demonstrated our dependency on technology.
I think that since Winston works for the government he is parly responsible for the way society has become. I mean, he's the one that changes the magazine articles to make sure tht whatever Big Brother predicts comes true.
It show how powerful the gov. is. They can get people to parade around, being happy for something less that what they have. This is not new, however. There was a Democratic Party in D.C. a while ago. THe people that attended the rally were paid to be present to make the party bigger that it seems.
Although Winston works for the government, I do not think that the corruption was his fault. He cannot stand up against the government as a single man, but must collaborate with O"Brien and others if he wishes to change his society.
I think that changing the past is worse because it can cause confusion, and doubt in the government. This can definitely turn into a revolution, or something of the sort, oraganized by the still-smart people of the era.
A quote to support Joe's point,"If the Party could thrust its hand into the past and say of this or that event, it never happened- that, surely, was more terrifying than mere torture and death." -page 34-
I think changing the past is scary because when you erase it, someone somewhere will know what happened, but when you change it, those people can be proven wrong and then everyone is fed lies.
I think that Winston will be a part of over throwing the government but he will have accomplices. We will be introduced to more rebels throughout the book who will help Winston carry out his wishes
I think that changing the past is scary, but it is not as scray as erasing the past completely. I also believe that the fact that Winston can create and destroy people, whether they actually really exist or not.
I think changing is just as bad as erasing. You don't know the difference anymore. The REAL information is ERASED! and is replaced with a story that makes themselves look good. Cloe, there is no past, Winston can barely remember his own. We rely on other information to remember but if its changed or erased, what is the difference?
Based on erasing and changing the past, they are similar, but the past is supposed to help lead to the future and what is going to happen. People cannot learn from their mistakes if they don't know what they did wrong because it is not there. Changing the past, leads to correcting the wrong mistake. So, I think they are equally as bad.
I think that the government today has a major role and impact on what they do and do not control, because people are starting to rely on the government so much more now so that they have so much more power among the people.
I think it is a real posiblity that the gov. can monitor us. It may start out as a way for parents to keep up on there children but, I may become a manditiory gov. policy.
I think technology can be flipped into what we want, or even avoided. Like the telescreens in 1984, winston plays pretty for the camera but expresses himself while hidden, and eventually might work to Winston's advantage.Also, the technolgy is here and may turn into what the government wants.
the technology we have today is scary. I think that all of the chips that can track us and give information about us. we are losing our identity and privacy :(
I was watching on t.v. once that a dad had put security camera's in all his kid's bedrooms. This was constant watch on the kids just like the telescreens in 1984. I think this is so wrong.
@Maria--Exactly! The telescreens are what we are going to. The government has the power, and sometimes they believe they are above the law enough so that they can hack into your webcams, etc. so as the more completely monitor you.
I agree with Troy. The U.S. hasn't delcared war (like the The Constitution says we should) sense World War Two. Yet we have had conflicts in Korea, Veitnam, Bosnia, Panama, Iraq, Afagnistan, and Turkey.
I think the book was a warning, but not of the exact year 1984. I don't think the date was significant, although i don't know why he picked it. Maybe because it was a close date? But i don't think he was warning about that exact year, just of the future in general.
I don't think that video gaming is as big of a problem as it seems. Yes, it shows derogitory and dangerous things, but it doesn't automatically mean that just because a young boy plays call of duty, that he will become a murderer or rapist.
I think that changing or erasing the past is equally bad. Either way, the past and our history is gone. Erasing it may even be better, because you will never know about it, as apposed to being lied to about what really happened in your and your countrie's past.
A HUGE part of government control in this book is technology, so they work together. Without telescreens, big brother would loose an amound of control over the people. They govern off of fear, 'vaporizing' those that even THINK about crossing the government. Corruption is at a crazy level in this book.
When reading all of the comments above, I saw several points that caught my eye. The first one I noticed is what Rae said about how Bradbury was trying to warn us of what our country could become. The civilization in the book is an absolute result of a communist country. There is one big leader in charge of everything, and supposedly everything is "fair" (no laws). Communism was a big conflict in the times when Bradbury wrote this book. As we can see from the book, he, like many other Americans from that time, were extremely worried for the future of their country, so Bradbury, in a way, took a stand and spoke his worries in the form of a book. If you notice, the civilization in 1984, is almost exactly the same as the one in Russia, when Stalin was in charge. A comment I noticed in the other classes page, is that someone asked the question something like "Do you think Big Brother is actually a real person?". That caught my eye because it is so true. There could be a huge committee controlling big brother and no one would ever know.
From the above comments, I was really able to see the connection between 1984 and Fahrenheit 451. In both these books, the government is able to use technology to manipulate and control the citizens. 1984 is different in the sense that people are aware of surrounding societies, such as when war is mentioned, but we are not really in a "declared" war, we have "conflicts" that have the potential that lead to war and it is not like the society has a decision as to whether they should start a war or not. It depends on the government.
It's hard for me to think of the idea that our past was erased, and altered. And when I think about something like that happening in our present-day society I wonder if anyone would actually notice. I mean, how often do we question the ACTUALITY of what we are being taught? Hardly ever. If some random person were to come in and change ALL the history books claiming that they are correct... I think we would all believe in these false facts.
And, about the question on who Big Brother could really be, I personally don't think it is an actual person but the idea that there is always a higher authority one must live up to puts society in a sense of constant fear, almost as though the government is physiologically trying to manipulate you're actions.
I trhink that Orwell wrote this book to warn us of what our society might become, and that it's not impossible for this to happen because at the time that he wrote the book other countries already had this kind of society.
ReplyDeleteThe signs of the times whe Orwell wrote it sugested that rapid changes in society that were coming soon. So it seems logical that he predicted a close date
ReplyDeleteThe people don't know the year there in due to the purging of history, also i doubt that Orwell thought this would happen, i think it was more of a story.
ReplyDeleteGeorge Orwell saw all of the corruption going on in the world. Many of the world powers were becoming communist and totalitarian; what was to stop others from succumbing to those ways without really knowing what was beneath the sugar-coated covering over communism.
ReplyDeleteI think Orwell used it to say that the government can change very quickly. It was a warning in saying that it may be going quickly downhill from the point in time in which Orwell wrote the book. I think he was trying to warn us that the government may be at its worst point soon and not to give into communism. Also, by saying 1984, it's in the near future and it scares some people and makes people aware of what might be.
ReplyDeleteI think it may be a warning, but not about the year 1984, like Joe said.
ReplyDeleteI think he thought these things would happen so soon becuase during the 1940's technology was progressing drastically as well as the industry was growing. It was a warning from what he was experiencing during his time.
ReplyDeleteI think that George Orwell wrote this book as a warning to us as to what can happen to our soceity. He took information from the time that he was living in and turned it into a huge predection as to what can happen to us if we continue on destructive patterns. He emphasizes the impact of the war and how terrible it is by using what he is witnessing in his life. I agree with Rheanna, if someone wrote a book like this predicting this for a nearer date such as 2020, we would FREAK OUT. But if someone wrote something like this for 300 years in the future, we wouldn't care as much. He wrote this to get our attention and really alarm us and get us to change our ways and stop creating an awful future.
ReplyDeleteI think it foreshadows that the new generation is being "brainwashed" so eventually the government will have total control over all the people.
ReplyDeleteI think it shows how younger people easyly controled anfd courupted
ReplyDeleteI think that the neighbor's kids are a great example of the government having complete control over the people. They are so brainwashed to believe whatever they choose them to believe, and I think this relates back to Fahrenheit 451 with the system of government there.
ReplyDeleteI think that George Orwell believed that his country would change quickly because of the other government changes happening in other contries, many of these changes being reflected in his book. For example, communism is reflected in his book along with many countries in the world.
ReplyDeleteAlso, improvements in technology and the changes in our society through the way we live are also reflected.
I agree with Matt and Cassie. It's the general idea of things that scare people not one specific event or year. There are many perspectives to an issue. One side is almost always opposite the other. For example, North Korea is bad to us and to North Korea, we're the bad guys.
ReplyDeleteI think things can change over a very short period of time if situations occur that spur on that change.
ReplyDeleteWhich event Mr. Hawthorne told us about yesterday do you think most impacted Orwell when he was writing 1984? For instance, do you think it was Russia and its communism, WWII, that really made an impact on Orwell and 1984?
ReplyDeleteI agree with John Michael in that the kids didn't really suspect Winston himself, I think they just had the instinct because they thought it was simply a "game" to them.
ReplyDeleteI think that the next generation symbolizes a loss of hope and past memory, that the things we believe will be influenced so much that we don't think any other way.
ReplyDelete@Maria-
ReplyDeleteI think not just one event added up to make Orwell write this book, but that all the nations against the U.S. were gaining so much power and control.
The kids are the purist form of the government, due to the fact they cant remember what was, and they are told only lies. Mussolini created a school, that brainwashed kids into socialism.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Eric, this was also metioned in our discussions of F451, kids are so exposed to the media and things that they souldn't necessarily know. Cloe just made an awesome comment, "they are buliding up the next generation." The government is taking over and absolutely controlling everything that happens in the presetn, THE PAST, and the future.
ReplyDeleteSo does this show that youth programs, movies, and tv are pushing our nation closer to the reality of this story?
ReplyDeleteThis book is a warning. It connects to how we have been learning about how fast technology is advancing. Soon we will be overruled by technology.
ReplyDelete@Maria- I think that it was kind of a bunch of events intermingled to come down to the book. They are establishing that kids are easy to train because they want to learn and they will believe pretty much anything anyone says.
ReplyDeleteJoe, they don't have to convince the kids to follow the government. They teach them certain things and it pretty much brainwashes them. They don't know any better to not trust the information they're given. They don't know that their government is manipulating them and they are restrained information to prevent the kids from challenging the system. And sometimes, like the Spies, the children think of it as a fun game.
ReplyDeleteI think the government wants to maintain their progress as well as their power. It's like tradition. People want to pass it down through younger generations to maintain this mentality and allow for progress and the power to continue to get stronger.
ReplyDeleteI think video games really do have an impact on kids because if they take their anger out on the people in the video game, do any of you think that those choices would turn into violence?
ReplyDeleteThis government rules by fear over Winston's generation. However, the next generation will not even require the government's rule of fear because it will follow because this is how they have been raised.
ReplyDeleteWe have already experienced in the United States a period in which our phone calls were being monitored by the government. George Orwell predicted future events and expressed them through this book.
ReplyDeleteI agree with matt, just because kids play COD doesn’t mean they’re going to become homicidal maniacs.
ReplyDeleteI don't think Call of Duty is a problem. People choose what they want to play, so if they don't want to be exposed to the kind of material that COD possesses, then that's their choice to make.
ReplyDelete@Peter- I think that they possibly could. These programs are putting certain thoughts and ideas into the newer generations. Kids believe what they're told, so if badly influenced, then these kids could be encouraged to act the way of the kids in this book.
ReplyDeleteThoughts turn into action, its less about the thinking but more about the acting on what you think.
ReplyDeleteWe are relating this to our lives, voilence may seem normal to them, but hanging people for joy, does not happen in our lives. So i don't think this really relates to our life. They don't know the difference, but we do.
ReplyDeleteI think that, like what cloe said, people are desenstized to the point that people are so tied into war and agreement with government that they don't know how to live any other way (in 1984). Violence is something that while discouraged in our society, is encouraged in their society so they are priased in doing so.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Eric, they don't KNOW any better. They will take whatever comes at them without overwhelming emotions. They are desensitized. Chloe, I agree that our country encourages free thinking but do you think we're steering away from violence? If so, then why are we still releasing blood and gore movies and video games?
ReplyDeleteThought crime is not possible in our society. The government cannot regulate our thoughts; they can regulate what we are exposed to, for instance in the video games we play and tv programs we watch but we still have the freedom of our thoughts (thankfully).
ReplyDeleteI think Winston will try to rise against the system. I think he will maybe try and find Golstein and inform people about how corrupt their government is.
ReplyDeleteObviously the MAIN character is going to challenge the system otherwise not only would he not be the MAIN character but also there would be no book.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Troy, but also, acting on what you think COULD possibly make you into a rampaging, sociopathic serial killer.
ReplyDelete@Abby, of course our society is not exactly like ours. But the main point that we are getting more desensitized. The main point is still there but yes, our world is much less dramatic than Winston's.
ReplyDeleteDo you think that any characters in the book represent any politcal or major people in our world/past?
ReplyDelete@Outer Circle--What do you think the diary symbolizes for Winston?
ReplyDeleteI think that Winston is going to revolt somewhere down the line. I think that him writing in the diary is just the first step to having him realize how corrupt society is.
ReplyDeleteThe two minutes hate is absoultely attrocious. I feel that the people are desensitized in a way. but obvioulsy people know that they are getting upset for a reason. How could they not know that the "hate" was not violent. Are they really THAT oblivious? Even though the people are always being "watched", how exactly does the government know what people are thinking? How do the thought police know what people thinking, especially if they shown no physical means of being upset or in thought. I think that the diary represents somemthing a lot deeper then just defying the system. He uses it as an escape. And as we saw in F451, when Montag became aware and an intellectual, he needed someone and something to tell about his knowledge. Winston uses the diary as his escape to write down his feelings, even those he didnt know he was capable of feeling...
ReplyDeleteI do think that Winston will cange the system. A revolution does not happen over night. Ther is lots of planning with it. Winston is taking the baby steps to this state of mind and will plan more carefully. I don't think he will succed.
ReplyDelete@Maria-I think the journal symbolizes his own "little rebellion." I totally agree with Rheana because I think Winston is taking baby steps to finally be strong enough to go against the system.
ReplyDeleteI think Winston is going to rebel; hiding in the corner and writing in the diary are his first steps towards personal, and possibly socital, revolution.
ReplyDeletethe diary is an outlet for Winston
ReplyDeleteThe journal represents the door into rebeliion. It's his first thought of rebellion, which will lead to more throughout the book.
ReplyDeleteAnyone can be a thought police, thats what makes it scary. Its the same as Stalin. Even if they fallow the government, thinking is dangerous even though its thinking the same way.
ReplyDeleteWith Eric's point that O'Brien is a member of Thought Police. It's not a bad prediction but I think that the Thought Police are so against rebels that they would be appalled enough to not act like one just to draw in traitors.
ReplyDeleteI think Brian is symbolic for someone that does defy government, but can't and won't do anything because he is scared. He's ther in contrast to Winston who in the end will do something.
ReplyDeleteWinston also says that Syme will be vaporized because he saw Syme at the Chestnut Cafe where Goldstein once was spotted. I agree with Cloe, Syme may learn with all hhis knowledge how the government is corrput.
ReplyDelete@Cassie--I agree. Do you think he will have more of a personal revolution (through his diary or private sabotage)or that he will lead others in a revolution, despite the danger?
ReplyDelete@Emily- I realize that. What I'm saying is I don't think that could ever become our society because even if we are becoming desencitized, we still know you can't just walk around killing people. We always will know that because of generations to pass it down, etc. Unless, we are totally wiped out and start over knowing that is O.K. to do.
ReplyDeleteI completely agree with Rheana, dictatorships are always paranoid about losing their power and they always think of the possibilities. This person MIGHT have just enough skill to throw the government.
ReplyDelete@Maria-I think he will lead other people into a rebellion. I don't think he will tell Syme about the government's wrongdoings;however, because he knows that Syme would turn him into the government.
ReplyDelete@Kate- How do you know the government is actually trying to "dumb down" the public?
ReplyDeleteI agree with Cassie in that Syme will learn how the govt. is corrupt. I don't think he is scared to do anything, like O'Brien is.
ReplyDeleteI also noticed how rationing occurs in the book with not just chocolate,but, other items that are necessities. Such as Winston's razor.
ReplyDeleteI think that that it is very wierd that people think that destroying old words and literature is beautiful. I belive that is awful! "Knowledge is power" and the government obviously knows that. They have the people so brainwashed and beliveing EXACTLY what they want it to be. I like the "sparked light and fuse" idea. The whole doublethink thing is also really strange. I guess I just can't even imagine anything happening like this today. Rationing chocolate and razor blades is weird too. Orwell mentioned how people hoard random things because they never know what item coudl be next.
ReplyDelete@Madeline--I don't think that Syme will turn him in to the government because he believes in the government. However, he knows too much, so that the government will eventually "vaporize" him.
ReplyDelete@Abby- Do you think, if we teach future generations it's okay, they would be able to walk around killing people? Not saying that it's likely to happen in our society. I am just asking IF that would work.
ReplyDeleteChocolate is used to represent oter products and wealth, furthermore representing a communistic society in which goods and money are distributed throughout. Chocolater is pleasing and a want, something thats positive used to make a negative in this situation.
ReplyDeletePeople will believe anything the big guy says. The big guy is the government, people listen to the government, they dont know the importance of change
ReplyDeleteThis society has to be perfect, but it is so ironic that in its quest to be perfect, it creates the most corrupt society yet.
ReplyDeleteWinston thinks everyone, with a few exceptions, should be vaprized. Why? What makes those people 'weaker'?
ReplyDelete@Maria- I think because he believes so strongly in the government and what they do, he would definitely turn Winston in if he told him! Why do you think he wouldn't? Just because he believes in it doesn't mean he won't turn Winston in.
ReplyDeleteALL people are part of the government. They all work at the ministries.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Rae. Back in 2000, people feared that the entrire world was going to crash. They started hoarding different items, such as food fearing that certain items would disapear. This just shows how what Orwell predicts could happen and it is possible, as well as demonstrated our dependency on technology.
ReplyDeleteI think that since Winston works for the government he is parly responsible for the way society has become. I mean, he's the one that changes the magazine articles to make sure tht whatever Big Brother predicts comes true.
ReplyDeleteIt show how powerful the gov. is. They can get people to parade around, being happy for something less that what they have. This is not new, however. There was a Democratic Party in D.C. a while ago. THe people that attended the rally were paid to be present to make the party bigger that it seems.
ReplyDeleteI think erasing the past and changing the past are similar because either way, the past is lost.
ReplyDeleteAlthough Winston works for the government, I do not think that the corruption was his fault. He cannot stand up against the government as a single man, but must collaborate with O"Brien and others if he wishes to change his society.
ReplyDeleteI think that changing the past is worse because it can cause confusion, and doubt in the government. This can definitely turn into a revolution, or something of the sort, oraganized by the still-smart people of the era.
ReplyDeleteChanging is worse, The world will be lies instead of just blank.
ReplyDeleteA quote to support Joe's point,"If the Party could thrust its hand into the past and say of this or that event, it never happened- that, surely, was more terrifying than mere torture and death." -page 34-
ReplyDeleteI think changing the past is scary because when you erase it, someone somewhere will know what happened, but when you change it, those people can be proven wrong and then everyone is fed lies.
ReplyDeleteI think that Winston will be a part of over throwing the government but he will have accomplices. We will be introduced to more rebels throughout the book who will help Winston carry out his wishes
ReplyDeleteI think that changing the past is scary, but it is not as scray as erasing the past completely. I also believe that the fact that Winston can create and destroy people, whether they actually really exist or not.
ReplyDeleteThis revolution against the government. Is it too far into the future? Who will organize it?
ReplyDeleteI think changing is just as bad as erasing. You don't know the difference anymore. The REAL information is ERASED! and is replaced with a story that makes themselves look good. Cloe, there is no past, Winston can barely remember his own. We rely on other information to remember but if its changed or erased, what is the difference?
ReplyDeleteBased on erasing and changing the past, they are similar, but the past is supposed to help lead to the future and what is going to happen. People cannot learn from their mistakes if they don't know what they did wrong because it is not there. Changing the past, leads to correcting the wrong mistake. So, I think they are equally as bad.
ReplyDeleteI think that the government today has a major role and impact on what they do and do not control, because people are starting to rely on the government so much more now so that they have so much more power among the people.
ReplyDeleteWe learn from the past; history is our future because, in essence, human nature does not change. I think its worse to just change the past.
ReplyDeleteScary is an personal opinion.
ReplyDeleteI believe that the government will start to use our everyday technology as cameras to spy on the public.
ReplyDeleteIgnorance is awesome, they already do this.
ReplyDeleteIf the government "chips" babies, that would be a total loss of the freedoms we uphold in America. Security is different than imprisoned.
ReplyDeleteSo, just to clarify, everything comes down to TECHNOLOGY. Everyone will be using technology to CONTROL.
ReplyDeleteI think it is a real posiblity that the gov. can monitor us. It may start out as a way for parents to keep up on there children but, I may become a manditiory gov. policy.
ReplyDeleteTECHNOLOGY is not what the book is about its about the GOVERNMENT. It already happens.
ReplyDeleteI think technology can be flipped into what we want, or even avoided. Like the telescreens in 1984, winston plays pretty for the camera but expresses himself while hidden, and eventually might work to Winston's advantage.Also, the technolgy is here and may turn into what the government wants.
ReplyDelete@Maria- Things change. That's the scary thing but it's inevitable. Do you think Winston's society was always so controlling?
ReplyDeletethe technology we have today is scary. I think that all of the chips that can track us and give information about us. we are losing our identity and privacy :(
ReplyDeleteBut the GOVERNMENT used TECHNOLOGY to gain control over us.
ReplyDelete@Troy- But TECHNOLOGY is a major influence in control and even government.
ReplyDelete@Troy---True, 1984 is about the government, but its also about government control. One way it happens is through technology, like the telescreens.
ReplyDeleteI was watching on t.v. once that a dad had put security camera's in all his kid's bedrooms. This was constant watch on the kids just like the telescreens in 1984. I think this is so wrong.
ReplyDelete@Maria--Exactly! The telescreens are what we are going to. The government has the power, and sometimes they believe they are above the law enough so that they can hack into your webcams, etc. so as the more completely monitor you.
ReplyDeleteIts conflicts not wars, our government will not go extreme; this book was wrought when maniacs ruled the world.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Troy. The U.S. hasn't delcared war (like the The Constitution says we should) sense World War Two. Yet we have had conflicts in Korea, Veitnam, Bosnia, Panama, Iraq, Afagnistan, and Turkey.
ReplyDeleteIf anything, the technology will be in the phone companies hands, because they are already working on it
ReplyDeleteI think the book was a warning, but not of the exact year 1984. I don't think the date was significant, although i don't know why he picked it. Maybe because it was a close date? But i don't think he was warning about that exact year, just of the future in general.
ReplyDeleteI don't think that video gaming is as big of a problem as it seems. Yes, it shows derogitory and dangerous things, but it doesn't automatically mean that just because a young boy plays call of duty, that he will become a murderer or rapist.
ReplyDeleteI think that changing or erasing the past is equally bad. Either way, the past and our history is gone. Erasing it may even be better, because you will never know about it, as apposed to being lied to about what really happened in your and your countrie's past.
ReplyDeleteA HUGE part of government control in this book is technology, so they work together. Without telescreens, big brother would loose an amound of control over the people. They govern off of fear, 'vaporizing' those that even THINK about crossing the government. Corruption is at a crazy level in this book.
ReplyDeleteWhen reading all of the comments above, I saw several points that caught my eye. The first one I noticed is what Rae said about how Bradbury was trying to warn us of what our country could become. The civilization in the book is an absolute result of a communist country. There is one big leader in charge of everything, and supposedly everything is "fair" (no laws). Communism was a big conflict in the times when Bradbury wrote this book. As we can see from the book, he, like many other Americans from that time, were extremely worried for the future of their country, so Bradbury, in a way, took a stand and spoke his worries in the form of a book. If you notice, the civilization in 1984, is almost exactly the same as the one in Russia, when Stalin was in charge.
ReplyDeleteA comment I noticed in the other classes page, is that someone asked the question something like "Do you think Big Brother is actually a real person?". That caught my eye because it is so true. There could be a huge committee controlling big brother and no one would ever know.
From the above comments, I was really able to see the connection between 1984 and Fahrenheit 451. In both these books, the government is able to use technology to manipulate and control the citizens. 1984 is different in the sense that people are aware of surrounding societies, such as when war is mentioned, but we are not really in a "declared" war, we have "conflicts" that have the potential that lead to war and it is not like the society has a decision as to whether they should start a war or not. It depends on the government.
ReplyDeleteIt's hard for me to think of the idea that our past was erased, and altered. And when I think about something like that happening in our present-day society I wonder if anyone would actually notice. I mean, how often do we question the ACTUALITY of what we are being taught? Hardly ever. If some random person were to come in and change ALL the history books claiming that they are correct... I think we would all believe in these false facts.
And, about the question on who Big Brother could really be, I personally don't think it is an actual person but the idea that there is always a higher authority one must live up to puts society in a sense of constant fear, almost as though the government is physiologically trying to manipulate you're actions.