Book Club - "1984" Book Review

Book Review

In the comments section, please post your book review of 1984. Be sure to follow the instructions I gave you on how to write a book review. (word limit 200-250 words)

Orwell's "1984" and Political Systems

In preparation for our book club meeting, please come prepared to discuss what form of government you'd prefer. Familiarise yourself with the following terms: oligarchy, meritocracy, aristocracy, democracy, anarchy, communism, and monarchy.

Click here to get you started: Types of Government
(Don't believe everything you hear and see in this video - do your own research)

Orwell's "1984" and Government Power

In 1989, Chinese students staged a protest against the government in Tiananmen Square. The government sent in tanks to put down the protests and gunned down hundreds of students. Watch the video to see the bravery of an ordinary man (could easily have been Winston from 1984) who was on his way home from shopping. He put his life and his family's life at risk by stopping an entire convoy of tanks on his own. In preparation for our book club discussion, please inform yourself about what transpired at Tiananmen Square. Find out what happened to this man.

Click on the image to view the video.

North Korea and "1984"

Does this image remind you of a building in George Orwell's 1984? This is the Ryugyong Hotel, under construction in North Korea. Life described in 1984 is miserable, forlorn, and desperate. If you think it's all fantasy, think again. It's all happening, right now in one part of our world. In preparation for next week's book club meeting please inform yourself about life in North Korea. To get you started here's renowned journalist, Christopher Hitchens, describing his frightful visit to the hermit country.

Click here to view: Life in North Korea
(Allow to load fully before viewing)