Question 1:
When Orwell’s book was published, many saw it as a criticism of Soviet communism. Today
many people see it as a prophecy of what was to come, and are amazed at Orwell‘s ability to
foresee the future.
What cultural changes, in the opinion of the authors of the two critiques
you have just read, have brought about this change in the way the book’s message is
interpreted?
Answer 1:
(1) Death of Stalin – Orwell warned about Totalitarianism and not socialism on its own.
(2) Before – People identified themselves with O’Brien, be careful of your intellect so to speak and
fascination of power. Now, many can say the world is ruled by managers and big corporations You are more likely to associate yourself with the consuming sheep that clicks accept and buy
products, because we hear the ads from same telescreens.
Question 2:
Some of the words and phrases that Orwell coined have become an integral part of the English
(and other languages). For example, Room 101, Big Brother, Newspeak, unperson,
doublethink, thought police.
To what extent can we say that these words/phrases have become ideologically neutralised?
In other words, if someone uses these words, does it immediately mark or position them as
being “left” or “right” or “revolutionary “?
If yes, why?
If not, why not?
Answer #2:
I never heard these words being used. I think Americans would associate these word with “Evil”
Communism, and Russians would think of Nazis, except the word Big Brother.
Room 101 – Right
Big Brother – Left
Newspeak – Right (Nazis propaganda)
Unperson – normal word in Russian offensive language
Thought police – Nazis/USSR
Doublethink – revolutionary