1984 FAQ Study Bundle

by Wesley Matlock

  • Released July 29, 2022
  • Literature subject
  • 24 pages
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Excerpt

Why is 1984 a banned book? 1984 has been banned due to its political themes and graphic content, including depictions of sexuality and violence. In the Soviet Union, it was banned because of its clearly anti-communist views.

About

1984 is a dystopian novel by George Orwell. Published in 1949, it presents a chilling and unforgiving vision of the future. The protagonist, Winston Smith, lives in the totalitarian nation of Oceania, an oppressive surveillance state that rules over the populace by threatening violence and manufacturing artificial resource shortages. In Oceania, the definition of crime has been expanded to include any thoughts or intentions that go against the beliefs of the ruling class, known as the Party. Citizens are forced to live in a constant state of suspicion and fear, knowing that at any moment, they can be executed—with or without proof—for “thoughtcrime.” Winston’s ultimately ineffective and short-lived crusade proves fruitless, highlighting the imbalance of power between individuals and collective bodies like the Party. However, Orwell does not leave readers entirely devoid of hope. The afterword of the novel implies that Oceania has since been overthrown, indicating that the unnatural oppression of human nature cannot be permanently sustained.

 

This Study Bundle gives you answers to the most frequently asked questions about the novel. Whether you’re studying for a quiz, checking how well you’ve understood the text, or are just curious to see what others have asked about the book, this eNotes study bundle has it covered.