| 1984 | Animal Farm |
1984
This book shows that the scariest thoughts are those that could happen. Written in 1949, it's a horrific prediction of what the world is to be like in 1984. Following the story of Winston, Orwell (real name Eric Blair) shows an militaristic government that has complete control over it's people.
With a forced ignorance, Winston mildly remembers different times. But, those times are in the past, and you aren't supposed to remember them . . . they were a time when people were free to do as they wished, the bad times.
It is this book that brought forth questions of a government's power. Were people to do as they wished, possibly doing harm to their fellow citizens and the government, or was Big Brother to watch over everybody?
With television screens that watched both ways, thought police, and an army that was armed up to the teeth and without morals, it is no wonder that people walked in drunken stupors, accepting the horrible standards of living, accepting the tainted news reports, ignorant of the possiblity of a different (better?) lifestyle.
It is when Winston learns of love and is reminded of the old times, before Big Brother, that he questions authority . . . and as if things weren't frightening enough, the real horror begins . . .
Grade: A+. Even though it's beyond 1984, enough of the predictions are so close to being true (if they aren't true already) that I'll fear the future never turns out the way it appears.
Animal Farm
The story of an animal uprising on a farm fails to reach the mastery the true masterpiece that 1984 accomplishes, but still the point is felt with a shiver.
After disposing of the humans, pigs provide the thinking in the anti-human, Communist, utopian society. Everybody is free to speak, the work is divided, and everybody lives happily. As this style of living progresses, the pigs begin fighting about what shall be done, almost spurring a civil war. Certain animals are seen as better workers, and some are seen as lazy. The rule of "All Animals Are Equal" is suddenly transformed into "All Animals Are Equal, but Some Are More Equal Than Others."
The questions brought forth about an Utopian society are interesting, and I just like talking animals . . . even if they are rebels.
Grade: B-. Just left me feeling empty inside after reading it, but it was more than an enjoyable read.
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