قصة الكتاب :
Critics agree that “1984” (Nineteen Eighty-Four) is among the 100 most important novels since 1923. The novel was written by the English novelist, essayist, journalist and critic, Eric Arthur Blair who used the pen name George Orwell. Orwell wrote the novel in 1949, and like the rest of his work, it had a profound impact on the global political culture, particularly in Europe.
The novel’s protagonist is Winston Smith, a journalist who is monitored and observed by the state and its intelligence, as well as by his neighbors who unwillingly cooperate with the state. Smith is also watched by his friend O\'Brien who is a member of the Inner Party. Smith develops some feelings toward one of his colleagues, Julia, though she is a member in the Party as it was clear from the color of her belt, but she hated the Party. The two engage in a love affair and agree to marry each other. But their affair is exposed and the Thought Police captures Winston and Julia in their bedroom and deliver them to the Ministry of Love (Miniluv) for interrogation. The Ministry is responsible for the rehabilitation of individuals and restoring them to the state of loneliness. The members of the Party are psychologically confused and live under extreme pressure and tension since they are watched by the state and the Party itself. There are ministries for each case whose mission is to rob the human being from his human nature. The central ministry conducts around-the-clock changing of the data and information so that they remain in line with the government’s and Big Brother’s goals. There are screens that track and monitor the citizens’ movements controlled by the Big Brother.
The Big Brother is the symbol and the government. Tyranny and dictatorship is epitomized in his personality. He looks like a party or an intelligence service, and is responsible for monitoring and following up on others. He is the quasi-divine Party leader who enjoys an intense cult of personality but who may not even exist.
Criticism of power and authority is very clear in Smith’s discussions with his friend O’Brien regarding the role of the monitoring screens and the violation of individual privacy. He criticizes the Party’s prohibition of thinking and the fact others should not think but obey. The Party thinks and gives the results. Smith also focuses on the Party’s materialistic creed and its belief in control over nature, as well as the human weakness and the destruction of language which eventually make people less aware and become mere numbers or empty, soulless bodies.
The “1984” novel is internationally classified under the “Freedom Literature” category because of its attempt to create a free human society that owns its mind and dignity.