Books for TO

☑️ 1984 by George Orwell

Nineteen Eighty-Four, also published as 1984, is a dystopian novel from 1949 that deals with
the perils of totalitarianism. It's set in an imagined future in a superstate called Oceania, which is
ruled by an authoritarian government that maintains power through constant surveillance and
other insidious means.

1984" is a dystopian novel written by George Orwell and published in 1949. It is set in a
totalitarian society dominated by a party led by Big Brother. The story follows the life of
Winston Smith, a low-ranking member of the Party, as he navigates a world of
surveillance, propaganda, and thought control.

Winston becomes disillusioned with the Party's manipulation and starts secretly
rebelling against its oppressive rule. He begins a forbidden love affair with Julia, another
Party member, and they both attempt to resist the Party's control over their thoughts and
actions.

The Party's slogan "War is Peace, Freedom is Slavery, Ignorance is Strength" reflects
its use of language to manipulate reality and maintain power. The novel introduces
concepts like "doublethink" and "Newspeak," which illustrate the Party's control over
language and truth.

As Winston's rebellion progresses, he is drawn into a dangerous underground

movement that seeks to overthrow the Party. However, the Party's surveillance system,
the Thought Police, eventually catches up with him, and he undergoes a brutal
re-education process that breaks his spirit and forces him to love Big Brother.

"1984" explores themes of totalitarianism, surveillance, psychological manipulation, and

the consequences of unchecked power. It remains a thought-provoking commentary on
the dangers of authoritarianism and the importance of individual freedom and truth.
“1984” by George Orwell, published in 1949, is a dystopian novel that presents
a chilling portrayal of a totalitarian society dominated by a single party and
ruled by Big Brother. Set in a future world where individuality is suppressed,
surveillance is omnipresent, and history is constantly rewritten, the novel
serves as a stark warning about the dangers of totalitarianism and the erosion
of personal freedom.

● One of the main tools The Party uses to exert control over the people is surveillance.

Three of the main tools are constant surveillance, constant exposure to propaganda, and
the constant rewriting of history.

With these tools, The Party can control the narrative decisively, keep everyone under
constant psychological pressure, and force people to think a certain way. For example,
how you react during the daily Two Minutes Hate is monitored. If you’re not properly
booing and cursing the enemy, you’ll be under suspicion for thoughtcrimes.

The story centers around Winston Smith, a government bureaucrat living in London in the year
1984. In this imagined future, the world has been divided into three authoritarian superstates.
Winston works for the Ministry of Truth where he rewrites the documents of the past to match
the current lies the government is telling. His job leads him to doubt the regime, while constant
surveillance and the threat of the Thought Police are always on his mind.

Nineteen Eighty-Four continues to be a relevant look at what happens when fear, propaganda,
perpetual war, and mass surveillance are used to control and repress individual freedoms. While
Orwell used Stalinist Russia and Nazi Germany as a basis for his work, the novel shows how
vulnerable any society can be once truths and facts are manipulated.

Major themes

Certainly, here are five major themes from "1984" along with their relevance in the
modern world:

1. Totalitarianism and Government Control:

The theme of totalitarianism, depicted through the Party's complete dominance in
"1984," remains relevant in the modern world where authoritarian regimes still exert
control over their citizens. The novel serves as a cautionary reminder of the dangers of
unchecked government power and the erosion of civil liberties in the pursuit of control.

2. Surveillance and Privacy:

The pervasive surveillance depicted in the novel is relevant today as modern technology
enables governments and corporations to monitor individuals on an unprecedented
scale. Discussions about the balance between security and privacy, as well as concerns
over data collection and surveillance, mirror the themes explored in "1984."

3. Reality and Truth:

In an age of information overload and the spread of misinformation, the manipulation of

truth and reality depicted in the novel takes on new significance. The novel's themes
resonate with contemporary discussions about fake news, propaganda, and the shaping
of narratives to influence public opinion.

4. Language and Thought Control:

The theme of controlling language and thought is relevant in the context of online
censorship and political correctness debates. The novel's portrayal of language
manipulation highlights the potential consequences of limiting expression and
suppressing dissenting ideas.

5. Censorship and Suppression of Expression:

In an era where online platforms are increasingly responsible for content moderation,
discussions about freedom of speech and the power of technology companies to shape
discourse echo the theme of censorship in "1984." The novel's warning about the
impact of controlled information remains relevant as societies grapple with questions of
who controls the flow of information.

These themes from "1984" continue to resonate in the modern world, raising important
questions about the balance between government power, individual rights, and the role
of technology in shaping society.
Animal Farm : A Political Satire on the Corrupting Influence of Power

Animal Farm (1945) is a classic satirical novella that transplants the events of the Russian
Revolution of 1917 to a small English farm. Once the animals stage an uprising, a political battle
ensues between an ideological pig named Snowball and a power-hungry pig named Napoleon.

George Orwell's Animal Farm is a short novel written during World War II
and published in 1945. It tells the story of a group of farm animals who
revolt against their keeper. They want to create a place where all
animals are treated equally and where they can be free and happy.
However, they are eventually betrayed by one of them, and the farm
returns to its previous state.

Animal Farm, published in 1945, is a satirical allegory of the Russian Revolution that
began in 1917 and led the way for Joseph Stalin to take power.

Animal Farm is an allegory to the Russian Revolution, which was meant to end in
communism and equality, but which resulted in totalitarianism under the dictator Stalin.

Animal Farm begins with the hope of freedom, and it ends in tyranny and oppression.

Brief story

At the start, the old boar, Old Major, calls a meeting to discuss his dream of a future
without humans, where animals manage themselves. Inspired by his words, the animals
revolt against their neglectful owner, Mr. Jones, and take control of the farm, renaming it
"Animal Farm."

The pigs, being the most intelligent, assume leadership roles. Two pigs, Snowball and
Napoleon, emerge as leaders, but they soon have conflicting ideas about how to run the
farm. Snowball introduces the idea of building a windmill to produce electricity, which he
believes will make life better for all animals. However, Napoleon opposes this idea and
eventually uses dogs he has secretly trained to chase Snowball away.

With Snowball gone, Napoleon assumes uncontested leadership. He begins making

deals with the humans, whom the animals originally despised and opposed. The pigs
start adopting human behaviors, like walking on two legs, wearing clothes, and drinking
alcohol. The commandments the animals had set up, such as "All animals are equal,"
slowly get altered. The most notorious change being to "All animals are equal, but some
animals are more equal than others."

As the years go by, the conditions on Animal Farm deteriorate. While the pigs live in
luxury, the other animals face hardships. The windmill, which gets built and then
destroyed multiple times, becomes a tool for Napoleon to keep the animals busy and to
secure deals with human neighbors.

In the end, the animals realize that they can no longer distinguish between the pigs and
the humans. The pigs have become just as oppressive and tyrannical as the humans
they overthrew.

The novella serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of absolute power and how
revolutionary ideals can be corrupted. The events mirror those of the Russian
Revolution and the rise of Stalinism, with characters representing key figures from that
era.

These are the original commandments laid down by the pigs.

1. Whatever goes upon two legs is an enemy.

2. Whatever goes upon four legs, or has wings, is a friend.
3. No animal shall wear clothes.
4. No animal shall sleep in a bed.
5. No animal shall drink alcohol.
6. No animal shall kill any other animal.
7. All animals are equal.

"Animal Farm" serves several lessons that remain relevant in the modern world:
 1. Corruption of Power: One of the primary lessons of "Animal Farm" is that those in
power can become corrupt, particularly if there are no checks and balances. The
saying, "Power corrupts, and absolute power corrupts absolutely," is embodied in
the character of Napoleon.
2. Idealism vs. Realism: The novella shows how noble ideals (like equality and
freedom) can be twisted and used to justify actions that go against those very
ideals. It's a reminder to critically examine the actions of those who claim to be
working for the greater good.
3. Manipulation and Propaganda: The pigs, especially Squealer, manipulate
information to control the perceptions and beliefs of the other animals. This
highlights the danger of not questioning information and the importance of a free
and informed press.
4. Class Stratification: Even in a society that aims for equality, class structures can
emerge, leading to inequality. The pigs establish themselves as the elite class,
while the other animals toil.
5. The Danger of Apathy: The animals' failure to question the pigs or hold them
accountable allows the pigs to amass unchecked power. It's a warning about the
dangers of complacency and the importance of civic engagement.

Relevance in the Modern World:

1. Political Corruption: Nations today still grapple with leaders who may prioritize
their personal gain over the welfare of the citizenry.
2. Media Literacy: In an age of information overload and "fake news," the ability to
critically assess information sources is crucial.
3. Societal Inequalities: Issues of economic and social inequality persist worldwide.
The story prompts reflection on how power structures are established and
maintained.
4. Public Engagement: "Animal Farm" underscores the importance of staying
informed and engaged in civic matters to prevent the usurpation of power by
unscrupulous leaders.

In essence, "Animal Farm" serves as a timeless reminder to remain vigilant, question

authority, and be wary of those who promise utopias but deliver dystopias.