George Orwell’s 1984 is a haunting portrait of a world where power is absolute, truth is fluid, and rebellion is crushed before it begins. The novel has been banned by both anti-communist and communist regimes, proving its ability to unsettle those in control. More than a political critique, 1984 is an exploration of fear, control, and the fragility of the human mind. Its vision of a totalitarian future remains chillingly relevant.

The story follows Winston Smith, a worker at the Ministry of Truth in the superstate of Oceania. His job is to rewrite history, adjusting facts to match the Party’s ever-changing narrative. In this world, independent thought is treason, surveillance is constant, and even the past can be rewritten. Despite the suffocating control, Winston dares to think for himself. He begins a secret diary—an act of defiance punishable by death. He falls in love with Julia, a fellow Party member who shares his hatred for Big Brother. Their love gives them a fleeting sense of freedom, but it’s an illusion. O’Brien, a high-ranking official they believe to be a revolutionary, is actually a loyal Party enforcer. The lovers are caught, separated, and tortured until they betray each other. In the end, Winston is broken. His defiance is erased. He loves Big Brother.

Orwell’s life shaped his vision of totalitarianism. Born as Eric Blair in British-ruled India, he later served as a colonial officer in Burma, an experience that left him disillusioned with empire. His political awakening deepened when he fought in the Spanish Civil War, where he witnessed firsthand how propaganda distorted reality. He initially believed in the Russian Revolution, but Stalin’s purges, forced labor camps, and absolute control shattered his faith. 1984 is a reflection of these betrayals.

The Party’s rule mirrors Stalinist Russia, with its purges, paranoia, and manufactured truths. The slogan “2 + 2 = 5” was borrowed from Soviet propaganda. Emmanuel Goldstein, the Party’s supposed enemy, resembles Trotsky, Stalin’s exiled rival. Orwell also drew from Nazi Germany, where Hitler’s propaganda machine turned lies into reality. The novel’s endless war reflects Orwell’s fears of a world locked in perpetual conflict, much like the post-WWII divisions he saw forming.

The Party controls its citizens through psychological manipulation. The past is erased, so the present is whatever the Party declares. Language itself is rewritten—Newspeak eliminates rebellious thoughts by making them impossible to express. Surveillance creates paranoia, ensuring obedience. The ultimate tool is fear. Winston’s torture isn’t just about punishment—it’s about reshaping his mind. The final betrayal, where he wishes Julia’s suffering upon her instead of himself, proves that under enough pressure, love and loyalty crumble.

Orwell’s warning isn’t just about dictatorships. 1984 speaks to the dangers of unchecked power, propaganda, and the erosion of truth. Governments, corporations, and media continue to shape reality in ways that would be familiar to Orwell. The novel remains a reminder that control isn’t just enforced through violence but through the manipulation of thought itself.

Modern Intellectuals Will Suffer
   • Friedrich Nietzsche' Warning to MODERN MEN...  

Timestamps:
00:00 Imagine your future
00:53 1984 Summary
04:23 1984 Reason Orwell write this. Actually a real world description
10:15 Tactics No.1(Machiavellian)
12:06 Tactics No.2
13:51 Tactics No.3
15:15 Tactics No.4
16:21 Tactics No.5
17:18 Tactics No.6
17:47 Tactics No.7
19:04 Tactics No.8