The Unheeded Message of ‘1984’

George Orwell meant his novel to be a warning, not a prediction—and that warning is relevant in new and unsettling ways.

George Orwell
Image via The Atlantic image

– Commentary covered by Quincy Quarry News.

The unheeded message of ‘1984.’ – Doublethink Is even stronger than George Orwell imagined.

George Orwell’s prophetic dark novel is not only a classic, it has been enjoying renewed interest of late.

A recent essay on this classic piece of literature posed a number of Orwellian concerns.

Among other observations is how doublespeak and other sorts of disingenuously manipulating public opinion are not only all but perverse these days, the direct imposition of fear via a police state is not necessary as many of the manipulated essentially enable it.

Think Fake News gullibility on steroids by those on the Right.

And on the left, “… many … now share an unacknowledged but common assumption that a good work of art is made of good politics and that good politics is a matter of identity. The progressive view of a book or play depends on its political stance, and its stance – even its subject matter– is scrutinized in light of the group affiliation of the artist:”

In other words, so what for assessing art as good – or not – regardless of its subject matter or proper consideration of the skillfulness of its creator.

Be sure to read all about it at The Unheeded Message of ‘1984’