George Orwell is a British writer, journalist and publicist. His works are distinguished by simple writing style, criticism of totalitarianism and support for democratic socialism.
Who among us in childhood was not fond of science fiction? Many literary scholars believe that the future belongs to the genre of fiction: the task of fiction is to figure out how life will change from the implementation of new ideas. What opportunities will it open up for a person? ... The main subject of research ... is man and human society.
If you are in the minority - and even in the singular - that does not mean that you are insane. There is truth and there is untruth, and if you stick to the truth, even in spite of the whole world, you are not mad.
What is this book about?
The novel tells about a possible script for the development of the world. The Second World War is over. England, torn apart by Civil unrest, is swallowed up by a new Superpower - Oceania, which is ruled by the regime of the Party and Big Brother.
Some citizens disagree with the superpower's legal order. Among them is Winston Smith, an employee of the Ministry of Truth. He is very dissatisfied with the surrounding reality, but since he has no one to share his oppositional opinion with, he begins to keep a diary. Recording doubts about the Party's policy is a rather dangerous thing and is no less a crime than public statements on this topic.
One day, Smith has a suspicion that his colleague Julia is watching. Smith is scared, but his fears are in vain - the young woman just liked him. The heroes become a "secret" couple. But this is also a crime by the standards of Oceania. Smith now fears that his romance may end badly.
There is a kind of underground Brotherhood that is negatively disposed towards the Party and Big Brother. Smith and Julia want to join his ranks. Smith goes to a high official, O'Brien, who, in his opinion, belongs to this Brotherhood. But Smith was wrong, and the lovers are soon detained. Smith is tortured by employees of the Ministry of Love. In the end, under pressure, he renounces his love and all doubts.
The meaning of the book
Orwell depicted a senseless and merciless duel between the personality and the system. The authoritarian state denies the human right to individuality, which means that there will be nothing that is dear to us if the power of the state over society is absolute.