Orwellian Warning: "Who controls the past controls the future."

Dystopian literature:
As opposed to utopian literature, dystopian literature presents a nightmarish version of the future, criticizing the current state of affairs, government, and power. 

How do dystopian novels portray the family unit?
To what extent is technology harmful to human condition?
Why do some choose to write a dystopian novel?
Why does our society eagerly consume futuristic, dystopian narratives?  

George Orwell (Eric Arthur Blair, 1902-1950)
Born in British India
Schooled at Eton College, England
His early experience as an imperial policeman, school teacher, and soldier during the Spanish civil war compelled him to become a political prophet against totalitarianism 

A staunch anti-fascist, anti-Stalinist, anti-totalitarian activist and a proponent for democratic socialism

his writings resonate with the post WWII climate and the fear of governmental dictatorship.

Book 1
Winston Smith & Thoughtcrime

1. W.S. writes a diary entry on the Two Minute Hate
2. The Parsons family and the Junior Spies 
3. the dream of Winston's mother and the Golden Country; the Physical Jerks 
4. "Unpersoning" Comrade Withers; Comrade Ogilvy is invented 
5. Syme works on revised Newspeak dictionary; the dark-haired girl in the canteen 
6. Recalling the past encounter with a Prole prostitute 
7. The memory of a photo that debunks the authorized version of history
8. Mr. Charrington’s antiques shop; a glass paperweight; a painting of St. Clement's Church

Book 2
Sex and Rebellion 

Ch. 1
Ch. 2
Ch. 3
Ch. 4
Ch. 5
Ch. 6
Ch. 7
Ch. 8
Ch. 9
​Ch. 10 

Book 3
​Torture and Rehabilitation 

Ch. 1
Ch. 2
Ch. 3
Ch. 4
Ch. 5
​Ch. 6

1984 and 2020:
Your ignorance feeds power to power. 
​

What becomes of humanity if it marches only to the drumbeat of a war?
Why do some warmonger?
Who profits from a war? 
Who suffers the most from a war?  

George Orwell on Writing
1. Never use a metaphor, simile or other figure of speech which you are used to seeing in print.
2. Never use a long word where a short one will do.
3. If it is possible to cut a word out, always cut it out.
4. Never use the passive where you can use the active.
5. Never use a foreign phrase, a scientific word or a jargon word if you can think of an everyday English equivalent.
6. Break any of these rules sooner than say anything outright barbarous.

"Why I Write": orwell_why_i_write.docx