Nineteen Eighty-Four (Magill’s Guide to Science Fiction and Fantasy Literature)
At a glance:
- Author: George Orwell
- First Published: 1949
- Type of Work: Novel
- Type of Plot: Science fiction—dystopia
- Time of Work: 1984
- Setting: London, England (Airstrip One, Oceania)
- Genres: Long fiction, Science fiction, Satire, Political fiction, Dystopian fiction
- Subjects: Dictators, Values, Love or romance, Sex or sexuality, Future, 1980’s, England or English people, Truth, London, Identity, Science fiction, Government, Conformity, Totalitarianism, Brainwashing
- Locales: London, England, Airstrip One (future), Oceania (mythic)
The Plot
Winston Smith begins a diary, an act tantamount to signing his own death sentence in a ruthlessly totalitarian state bent on eradicating individuality. He is determined to stay alive—and “human”—as long as he can. To do so, he must escape the all-seeing eye and all-hearing ear of the Thought Police behind the omnipresent telescreen.
Winston and Julia, who work in the Ministry of Truth, become lovers and find an illusory haven above Charrington’s shop in the district of the “proles,” or masses outside the Party. Earlier, the lovers revealed...
[The entire page is 1339 words long]
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