WAR IS PEACE
FREEDOM IS SLAVERY
IGNORANCE IS STRENGTH.
I'm not going to make much sense tonight. There are some days when novels like 1984 may not be quite the novel you need for life and inspiration. Today is one of those days. Lighter fare would be welcomed but that's me... that's me right now at least. I did, however, choose to read this book; it's something I've wanted to delve into for awhile. Yes, there are days that I prefer to not think and worry about what I could and should be thinking about... the freedoms I should appreciate. This week maybe not ideal, but I proceed.
More pause is required for serious daring within. Some thoughts I've contemplated through the reading:
1. The power of literacy. The unpower of ignorance. The unpower of literacy. The power of ignorance. In 1984 we read the slogans of the Party. I'd be wiped out in an instant: challenged on discretion; physical pain unacceptable. Yet, the theme of literacy and its effects, the focus on words/language/vocabulary/nuance and access to it streams throughout many of the books we've read recently: The Book Thief, Night, Feed, 1984, Anne Frank. Elie Wiesel's efforts to capture his experiences through words as a way forward into the future. Liesel's efforts in The Book Thief to gain access to words and books. Nazi efforts to discourage non-Party reading. Feed's view of the future and the negative impact of non-free-thinking, non-influenced decision making, and little contemplative thinking at all. In the world of 1984 the destruction of words is seen by many as a beautiful thing, yet Winston recognizes this as just part of the effort to make "thought-crime" impossible. No longer do we need 50 words for "good" and 50 words for "bad:" now good/ungood all based on one single word.
All of these works focus on literacy, the power of words, the power of creativity; it's all contrasted by the efforts to crush this power to support totalitarianism. 1984 presents a dim view of humanity's future through its presentation of the almost-Nazi-like effort by Big Brother to eliminate words. 1984 takes it even further so that the effort to achieve acquiescence, docility comes not just from burning books and eliminating access but by eliminating actual words and any nuances in language. All history becomes rewriting; history essentially is eliminated. It's a dismal view of the capacity within humanity.
2. Are we really capable of love? Are we not really just in survival mode all the time? The views of human nature are startling in 1984 as in Night. We saw real-life son stealing food from a father in Night. We saw Winston turning in his lover because he couldn't stand the torture in 1984. Winston is reborn, recommitted to life through his love affair but in the end just ends up fending for himself. His belief in friendship through O'Brien faulty. Humans who cope well in love with no serious roadblocks end up giving in. Is there truly a brotherhood or family unit? Maybe abuse of power simply pervades.
As I said, the book presents a dismal view.
Did I mention I may need some lighter fare in terms of reading right now? More discussion to come in class.
I agree with you. I love books that make think deeper but sometimes you want to just read a book for the sake of reading.
ReplyDeleteIt is kind of scary to think about the power that words have over our lives. We can read something and it can utterly change your opinion. Before reading Feed, I might have thought it was to something in your head that can instantly look up information. I already have this power with Google but it would even faster. But after reading Feed, I don't think I would ever want that.
Throughout history, there has been a trend of burning and limiting information by governments. I think is this because governments understand the power of words. But sometimes, the everday citizen of the world forgets about it.
FRAN! I could use some lighter reading too. I think this brings up another idea of how books truly affect a person's mood/attitude and we can discuss this with our students.
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