1984, Blog log 1 - The exposition

The book 1984 written by George Orwell is about a society where the personal integrity doesn't exist anymore. The people are being watched around the clock by the “Thought Police” through something called a “telescreen”, which is a television that not only receive sound and picture, but also transmit everything it hears and sees. Those are placed all over the city; in the workplace, in public places, as well as in every home.

It was a bright cold day in April, and the clocks were striking thirteen. Winston

Smith, his chin nuzzled into his breast in an effort to escape the vile wind, slipped

quickly through the glass doors of Victory Mansions, though not quickly enough

to prevent a swirl of gritty dust from entering along with him.

(1984, 1949. George Orwell, P. 1)

Those first lines gives us a hint of how the theme in the book will be; cold and frightening. We are introduced to Winston Smith very early, which tells us that this person will play an important role in this novel. In addition, one can expect that this place called “Victory Manisons”has a central role as well, because of the fact it was introduced to us in such a early state. Those lines are informative, but with a touch of mystery within, something which makes me thrilled to read more.

What's even more frightening than being watched at all time, is to be manipulated into believing lies. The people, including Winston Smith himself, have been persuaded for such a long time that they can barely recall any memories of the past, the time when they were still free.

“April 4th, 1984.

He sat back. A sense of complete helplessness had descended upon him. To

begin with, he did not know with any certainty that this was 1984.”

(1984, 1949. George Orwell, P. 4)

This quote shows us that the government withholds general information from the people, probably in order to prevent the people from compromising their power with an uprising or by disturbing the public order in any way. Knowledge is power. Therefore, one is powerless without knowledge, seems to be intent. These rows do also tell us a little about the title of the book, 1984. Except that Orwell might have imagined a society like this in the future, he also suggested that one way of controlling an entire society was to distort the truth.