Reflection: The End (1984)

Humans have many weaknesses, these weaknesses are normal. Humans are humans and were developed this way. Over our lifetime we develop; greed, power, control, lust, hate, and betrayal. Our so called “perfect” government tries controlling their citizens and forcing laws upon them without having all of the citizens have a say in the decisions made.  By forcing and ruling the people of the world with censorship and brainwashing, we’ve built ourselves up to the image of “Big Brother” (George Orwell, 1984). In 1984, a novel by George Orwell, the author is attempting to convey an important message. Although readers may get a different understanding of what the message is.

            One as a human thinks they will never break or change. My understanding of the message Orwell conveys in 1984, was that not what everyone says is true; people will betray you. Also people can change you and your views on things. For example one may think “this is cool” and someone can say “this is perfect.” One’s idea and opinion may change to “that was perfect.” Throughout the novel 1984, Winston, the main character swears he will never love Big Brother and rebel against the party; although when he is taken to the ministry of love where he is tortured, he believes 2+2=5 and agrees with what O’Brien says. Winston also ends up “loving” Big Brother. This is where betrayal comes in because he promised never to love Big Brother and to rebel.

            As a reader I made a text-to-self-reflection on what Orwell conveys in 1984. When I was younger I was betrayed a couple times by so called friends. I also was in a situation like Winston, in middle school I corrected my teacher and she sent home a letter saying I was disrespectful for interrupting her teaching “skills” and that next time I did that I’d get written up. My mom had a talk with me saying “The teacher will always be right, even when she is wrong, she will be right. She’s older than you and will win the battle.” My understanding of the message Orwell conveys in 1984, was that not what everyone says is true; people will betray you. Also people can change you and your views on things. Just like my teacher was wrong, and my mom changed my views on her.