"He loved Big Brother"

[Ezlivin]

The voice from the telescreen was still pouring forth its tale of prisoners and booty and slaughter, but the shouting outside had died down a little. The waiters were turning back to their work. One of them approached with the gin bottle. Winston, sitting in a blissful dream, paid no attention as his glass was filled up. He was not running or cheering any longer. He was back in the Ministry of Love, with everything forgiven, his soul white as snow. He was in the public dock, confessing everything, implicating everybody. He was walking down the white-tiled corridor, with the feeling of walking in sunlight, and an armed guard at his back. The longhoped-for bullet was entering his brain.

He gazed up at the enormous face. Forty years it had taken him to learn what kind of smile was hidden beneath the dark moustache. O cruel, needless misunderstanding! O stubborn, self-willed exile from the loving breast! Two gin-scented tears trickled down the sides of his nose. But it was all right, everything was all right, the struggle was finished. He had won the victory over himself. He loved Big Brother.

1984 by George Orwell

[progressiveBadger]

1. Very powerful

1984 needs to be read by every child. Everyone must be taught that something like this can happen anywhere, even in america.

[Ezlivin]

3. As readers, we can see a possible future

Sadly, it seems like we're competing for either Brave New World or 1984 to be our future.

[progressiveBadger]

9. Yep, two crappy choices

I'll go with Huxley though, I would rather be drugged up to hell if we get to that point. :)

[Pachamama]

2. That line just gave me chills.....I need to re-read 1984, but I'm not sure

I'm ready to be scared so much....
:scared:

[kentuck]

4. Great excerpt !

Right on time !

[Menshevik]

5. another great Orwell quote:

"If you want a vision of the future, imagine a boot stamping on a human face - forever."

[grumpy old fart]

6. I re-read it recently...really gives you the chills....especially the way

the "truth" is whatever the state says it is....we are at war with Eastasia, we have always been at war with Eastasia....Ignorance is Strength....we are living that reality right now. Yesterday, after Biden gave Condi specific evidence that we DO NOT have 125,000 trained Iraqi personnel, she continued to say "We have 125,000 trained......" It's just insane. "This war was never about WMD, it has never been about WMD".....just keep drinking the Kool Aid America.....1984 is here...

[Ezlivin]

7. It's sad that our "leader" is not literate

Perhaps if he had paid attention in class he would see the terrible parallels.

[grumpy old fart]

8. I have a "1984" sticker on my car....I fear that few of the W sticker SUV

drivers have a clue what it means....but I hope it moves some to go pick up the book...

[sldavis]

11. so do I

I have a "Bush Cheney 1984" sticker on my car, and one at my desk. The one on my desk gets some questions, and I've gotten several people to read Orwell because of it. It is so chilling.

[ginnyinWI]

10. I finished "1984" just last week

Everyone has to read or re-read it in context of our times. Remember what the Party taught: "WAR IS PEACE"

[K-W]

12. I sometimes wonder if they dont use 1984 as a manual.

I suppose not, these methods of control predated Orwell by a good deal.

[catbert836]

13. I'm gonna start crying

n/t

[skjpm]

14. And don't forget It Can't Happen Here

Put them all together, and you have today's America!