1984: A Commentary on the Present?

Title: 1984
Author: George Orwell
Year of Publication: 1949
Genre: Political fiction, Science fiction

Looking at an era of the past is always illuminating. One can learn from the mistakes one made or rejoice in one’s achievements. On the other side of the mirror it can also reflect a disturbing picture, especially if the reflection displays an apt representation of the present itself.

Let me make one thing clear at the outset. I do not intend to write a review of the famous book by Mr. Orwell. What I would simply like to do is discuss some of the themes in this book and how they do or do not bear a striking similarity to the present time.

It seems to me that Mr. Orwell was quite unaware of the fact that his book was years ahead of its time, and rather prophetic in nature. The 80s may not have turned out to be the way he imagined them to be in the 40s, but the 2000s definitely bear a remarkable resemblance to his imagination.

The lead character in 1984 is a skilful portrayal of today’s youth. The distrust and deceit experienced by Wilson throughout the book is common amongst us. Just like the concept of ‘Thought Police’ monitoring each and every aspect of life, today the same thing is happening. The use of Artificial Intelligence has enabled man to maintain tons of gigabytes of surveillance information on each and every individual who has at any point used an electronic device. 

In the book there are several instances when the protagonist realizes that however hard he tries to defy the authorities, someone, somewhere will eventually be able to apprehend him. A very similar thing is happening today. The Defense Departments of the world can frame anyone for anything. May it be terrorist attacks, helping fundamentalist organizations flourish, or even something as inconsequential as wearing a scarf. No one is safe. Just because you were friends with someone on “Facebook”, who was friends with someone else, who had an uncle living in Saudi Arabia, whose wife went to study the Quran, and whose teacher shared the same name with Osama, you would suddenly appear on their radar as a suspicious character.

The helplessness experienced by Wilson after being captured can be compared to the misery of several innocent Pakistani, Indian, Arabic men and women who were imprisoned for crimes so heinous that they are even difficult to imagine being performed. They were kept in extremely harrowing circumstances and treated as inhumanly as possible. Just like the prisoners of ‘Thought Police’ their voices were also hushed. No one came to their rescue.

If anyone is reading this, I would recommend you to go ahead and read the book. You may find it tragic, depressing, and troubling but one thing you will not be able to say is “There is no truth to it.”

Adil Majid

 

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