Back to the Future: Reading 1984

Before reading 1984 your teen probably thought Big Brother was just a reality TV show that filmed every scintillating movement in the life of an ordinary person - heart stopping events like teeth brushing, toe nail clipping, dish washing, etc. But where did the producers of “Big Brother” get the idea for the show?

1984 (the book!) is a powerful indictment of totalitarianism, anti-intellectualism, and pretty much everything that's bad about our world - multiplied by ten thousand! If your teen likes horror and intrigue, he's about to get a special treat. Just don't expect a happy ending!

Here's a teen-friendly refresher course in the plot of this classic work of literature, as well as SAT vocabulary your teen can use to discern what happens for themselves.

The novel 1984 is the story of Winston Smith and his own battle with an oppressive totalitarian government more cruel than any TV audience.

Winston Smith lives in Oceania, one of the three superpowers in the setting of 1984. He works for the Ministry of Truth, which alters history to suit the needs of the Party. (The Ministry of Truth tells lies, but that's not the end of the irony: in Oceania, the Ministry of Plenty plans economic shortages; the Ministry of Peace? You guessed it – wages war. And the Ministry of Love? Well, let’s just say some very unlovable things go on there. Winston will become intimately familiar with the Ministry of Love later).

Winston lives in fear of having his disloyal thoughts discovered by the government, because in Oceania someone is always watching. Big Brother is watching you! You read correctly – he is in fear of having his thoughts discovered. Thoughtcrime is a very serious offense to the party and is enforced by who else but the Thought Police! Feel free to shiver- these guys take their work very seriously.