Home ⇒ 📌Brief contents ⇒ A summary of Orwell’s 1984

A summary of Orwell’s 1984


The action takes place in 1984 in London, the capital of the Runway number one, the province of Oceania. Winston Smith, a short, frail man of thirty-nine, is going to start a diary in an old thick notebook recently bought in a junk shop. If the diary is found, Winston is waiting for death or twenty-five years of hard labor camp. In his room, as in any residential or office space, a television screen is mounted in the wall, working round-the-clock to receive and transfer. The police of thoughts overhears every word and watches every move. Posters are posted everywhere: the huge face of a man with a thick black mustache, with eyes looking straight at the beholder. The signature reads: “The elder brother looks at you.”

Winston wants to write down his doubts about the correctness of the teachings of the party. He does not see anything like the ideals towards which the party aspires in the wretched life around him. He hates the Elder Brother and does not recognize the slogans

of the party “War is peace, freedom is slavery, ignorance is power.” The party orders to believe only her, not her own eyes and ears. Winston wrote in his diary: “Freedom is an opportunity to say that twice two is four.” He realizes that he is committing a thought crime. The thought of the perpetrator inevitably awaits arrest, it is destroyed, or, as they say, sprayed. The family has become an appendage of the police of thoughts, even children are taught to follow their parents and report to them. Reported to each other by neighbors and coworkers.

Winston works in the documentation department of the Ministry of Truth, which manages information, education, leisure and arts. They search and collect printed publications, which are subject to destruction, replacement or alteration, if the figures contained in them, opinions or forecasts do not coincide with today’s. The story is scraped like an old parchment, and written anew – as many times as necessary. Then they forget about the cleanup, and the lie becomes true.

Winston recalls the two-minute hatred that took place

today in the ministry. The object for hatred is unchanged: Goldstein, in the past one of the leaders of the party, who then took the path of counterrevolution, sentenced to death and mysteriously disappeared. Now he is the first traitor and apostate, the culprit of all crimes and sabotage. Everyone hates Goldstein, refutes and ridicules his teaching, but his influence does not weaken: daily catch spies and pests acting at his command. They say he commands the Brotherhood, the underground army of the enemies of the party, they speak of the terrible book, the vault of all heresies; it does not have a name, it is simply called a “book.”

At the two-minute moment there is O’Brien, an official holding a very high post. The contrast between his soft gestures and the appearance of the heavyweight boxer is surprising, Winston has long suspected that O’Brien is not completely politically faithful, and very much wants to talk to him. In his eyes, Winston reads understanding and support. One day he even hears in his dream O’Brien’s voice: “We will meet there, where there is no darkness.” At meetings, Winston often catches the eyes of a dark-haired girl from the literature department, who most loudly screams her hatred of Goldstein. Winston thinks that she is connected with the police of thoughts.

Wandering around the city’s slums, Winston accidentally finds himself near a familiar junk shop and walks into it. The landlord, Mr. Charrington, a gray-haired old-fashioned old man with spectacles, shows him a room upstairs: there is old furniture, a painting hangs on the wall, there is a fireplace and there is no television screen. On the way back, Winston meets the same girl. He does not doubt that she is watching him. Suddenly, the girl passes him a note with a declaration of love. They furtively exchange a few words in the dining room and in the crowd. For the first time in his life, Winston is sure that he is a police officer of thoughts.

Winston is put in prison, then transported to the Ministry of Love, to a cell where the light is never turned off. This is the place where there is no darkness. O’Brien comes in. Winston is amazed, forgetting about caution, he yells: “And you have them!” “I’ve been with them for a long time,” O’Brien answers with a soft irony. Because of his back, a warden appears, he beats with all his might at the elbow of Winston. The nightmare begins. First, he is interrogated by supervisors, who beat him up all the time – with his fists, legs, clubs. He repents of all sins, perfect and imperfect. Then, investigators-party members work with him; their many hours of interrogation break it more than the kulaks of the guards. Winston says and signs everything that they demand, confesses to unthinkable crimes.

Now he lies on his back, the body is fixed so that it is impossible to stir. O’Brien turns the lever of the device, causing unbearable pain. As a teacher who fights with a naughty but capable apprentice, O’Brien explains that Winston is being held here to heal, that is, to remake. The party does not need obedience or obedience: the enemy must take the party’s side sincerely, with the mind and heart. He inspires Winston that reality exists only in the consciousness of the party: what the party believes is true, then it is true. Winston must learn to see the reality through the eyes of the party, he must stop being himself, and become one of “them.” The first stage O’Brien calls studies, the second – understanding. He claims that the party’s power is eternal. The purpose of power is power itself, power over people, and it consists in causing pain and humiliation. The party will create a world of fear, betrayal and torment, a world of trampling and trampling. In this world there will be no other feelings, except fear, anger, triumph and self-abasement, there will be no other fidelity than the party one, there will be no other love than love for the Elder Brother.

Winston objects. He believes that a civilization built on fear and hatred is in for a collapse. He believes in the power of the human spirit. He considers himself morally superior to O’Brien. That includes recording their conversation when Winston promises to steal, deceive, kill. Then O’Brien tells him to undress and look in the mirror: Winston sees a dirty, toothless, emaciated creature. “If you are human, that’s humanity,” O’Brien tells him. “I did not betray Julia,” Winston objected. Then Winston is led to the room at number one hundred and one, to his face they bring a cage with huge hungry rats. For Winston it is intolerable. He hears their squeals, senses their foul smell, but he is firmly attached to the chair. Winston realizes that there is only one person whose body he can shield from rats, and frantically yells: “Julia! Give them Julia! Not me!”

Winston comes to the cafe “Under the chestnut” every day, looks at the TV screen, drinks the gin. Life is gone from him, alcohol only supports him. They met with Julia, and everyone knows that the Other betrayed him. And now they feel nothing but mutual dislike. The victorious fanfares are heard: Oceania defeated Eurasia! Looking at the face of the Elder Brother, Winston sees that it is filled with calm strength, and a black mustache hides a smile. The healing that O’Brien spoke about happened. Winston loves the Elder Brother.


1 Star2 Stars3 Stars4 Stars5 Stars (1 votes, average: 5.00 out of 5)

Related posts:

  1. Summary George Orwell 1984 George Orwell 1984 The action takes place in 1984 in London, the capital of the Runway number one, the province of Oceania. Winston Smith, a short, frail man of thirty-nine, is going to start a diary in an old thick notebook recently bought in a junk shop. If the diary is found, Winston is waiting […]...

  2. The novel by J. Orwell “1984” – novel-anti-utopia I do not think that the arrival of totalitarianism in Europe was delayed by two novels – “1984” Orwell and “Blinding Darkness” Koestler… but they played a huge role in this. J. Wayne In 1984, the world celebrated a strange anniversary – the year that marked the time of action in George Orwell’s book “1984”. […]...

  3. Biography of Winston Churchill Winston Churchill – Prime Minister, political and statesman of Great Britain, Nobel Prize winner, writer. Born Winston Churchill November 30, 1874 in Blenheim, Oxfordshire in a wealthy and influential family. Until eight years in the biography of Winston Churchill his nanny was engaged in his upbringing. And then he was sent to study at St. […]...

  4. Summary of “New Eloise” Having met Yulia’s father in society, he tries to convince him that marriage ties with the unknown, but talented and noble Saint-Pre do not infringe on the noble family of the Ethanj family. However, the baron is adamant; moreover, he forbids his daughter from seeing Saint-Pre. In order to avoid a scandal, Sir Edward takes […]...

  5. Summary The nightmares of Stork Marabu Irwin Welch Nightmares of Stork Marabu Roy Strang is in a coma, but his mind is full of memories. Some are more real – about the life of the Edinburgh outskirts – and passed down in a grotesquely vulgar, stagnant language. Others – the fantasy of hunting the African stork marabu – are told in […]...

  6. Summary of “Freken Julia” The action takes place in Sweden, in the count’s, a manor in the kitchen on the night of Ivan Kupala, when, according to folk tradition, among all who celebrate this religious and magical holiday all the class boundaries are temporarily canceled. Christina, a cook of thirty-five years, is standing by the stove, preparing a potion […]...

  7. Summary of “The Devil’s Foot” Father Ellen served in India as a major artillery major. He died, leaving a decent state. When the girl and her twin sister Julia were two years old, the mother married Dr. Grimsby Roylott, the offspring of one of England’s richest families. One of his relatives lost all his fortune, and Roylott had to earn […]...

  8. “The Nightmares of the Stork Marabu” by Welsh in brief Roy Strang is in a coma, but his mind is full of memories. Some are more real – about the life of the Edinburgh outskirts – and passed down in a grotesquely vulgar, stagnant language. Others – the fantasy of hunting the African stork marabu – are told in the bright, imaginative language of an […]...

  9. Summary “The Case of an Interpreter” by Doyle A translator from Greek, Mr. Melas, a well-known specialist in London, is often approached by Sherlock Holmes, who is often invited, at the most absurd time, to some foreigner who finds himself in a quandary. Therefore, he was not at all surprised when, a few days ago, late at night, a young man named Latimer […]...

  10. Summary “Two brothers” Schwartz “In one huge forest, there lived a forester named Blackbeard.” He had two sons, the Elder of the twelve years, and the Younger was a nine-year-old. The brothers often quarreled, “like strangers,” so the forester was fun only in the forest. Once, on December 28, Blackbeard told his sons that they will not have a […]...

  11. “Return to Brideshead” in a short summary During the Second World War, while in England and commanding a company that did not take part in hostilities, Captain Charles Ryder received orders from the commanders to transport his subordinates to a new place. Arriving at the place of destination, the captain discovers that he was at the Brideshead estate, with which his whole […]...

  12. Biography of Julia Bordovskih Julia Bordovskikh is a well-known Russian TV presenter, writer, actress, sportswoman. Candidate in master of sports in basketball. Julia Bordovskikh was born on July 5, 1969 in Moscow. Since early childhood, she was engaged in sports. In 1986, Bordovskikh graduated from the sports school of the Olympic reserve, received the title of candidate for master […]...

  13. Summary Theater US Maugham Theater Julia Lambert is England’s best actress. She is forty-six years old; she is beautiful, rich, famous; busy with the favorite thing in the most favorable conditions for this, that is, playing in your own theater; her marriage is considered ideal; she has an adult son… Thomas Fennel is a young accountant hired […]...

  14. “Sotnikov” Bykov in brief summary On a winter night, when they were burying themselves from the Germans, Rybak and Sotnikov circled the fields and copses, having been given the task of procuring food for the partisans. The fisherman went easily and quickly, Sotnikov was behind, he should not have gone to the task at all – he was ill: he […]...

  15. Briefly Return to Brideshead Evelyn W Return to Brideshead During World War II, while in England and commanding a company that did not take part in hostilities, Captain Charles Ryder received orders from the commanders to transport his subordinates to a new place. Arriving at the place of destination, the captain discovers that he was at the Brideshead estate, […]...

  16. Summary of Sotnikov V. V. Bykov Sotnikov On a winter night, when they were burying themselves from the Germans, Rybak and Sotnikov circled the fields and copses, having been given the task of procuring food for the partisans. The fisherman went easily and quickly, Sotnikov was behind, he should not have gone to the task at all – […]...

  17. Biography of Darya Balabanova Daria Balabanova – actress, played the main role in the film “Julia”. Daria was born on May 7, 1997 in Moscow. Primary education in the biography of Daria Balabanova was obtained at the Moscow Physics and Mathematics School. Along with studying at school, the girl is engaged in music and dancing. Daria studies piano at […]...

  18. Summary of Bears VM Garshin Bears In the city of Belsk, the police chief is going to enforce a decree that gypsies must shoot their bears after 5 years of delay. The whole city is going to a spectacle. Gypsies try to bribe “high honor”, but it’s not in his power to abolish the decree – all that […]...

  19. “Freken Julia” Strindberg in brief summary The action takes place in Sweden, in the count’s, a manor in the kitchen on the night of Ivan Kupala, when, according to folk tradition, among all who celebrate this religious and magical holiday all the class boundaries are temporarily canceled. Christina, a cook of thirty-five years, is standing by the stove, preparing a potion […]...

  20. “Cruelty” Nilin in brief summary The county town of Dudary in Siberia. 20-ies. The narrative is conducted on behalf of the participant of the described events, which he recalls many years later. The author of the narrative, which has never been named after a story, works in the criminal investigation department along with his friend Benjamin Malyshev, whose position is […]...

  21. The parable “Field” One father left his sons a legacy field. His brothers honestly divided – in half. One brother was rich and single, and the second – poor and with a bunch of kids. The harvest has come. He does not sleep with a rich brother, his thoughts are overwhelmed: “I’m rich, why do I need so […]...

  22. “Julia, or New Eloise” Rousseau in brief summary “I observed the customs of my time and published these letters,” the author writes in the Preface to a real philosophical and lyrical novel. A small Swiss town. Educated and sensitive raznochinets Saint-Pre, like Abelard, falls in love with his apprentice Julia, the daughter of Baron d’Etange. And although the severe fate of the medieval […]...

  23. Summary Brutality PF Nilin Cruelty The county town of Dudary in Siberia. 20-ies. The narrative is conducted on behalf of the participant of the described events, which he recalls many years later. The author of the narrative, who has never been named after the novel (hereinafter referred to as the Author), works in the criminal investigation department […]...

  24. Summary Julia, or New Eloise Jean-Jacques Russo Julia, or New Eloise “I observed the customs of my time and published these letters,” the author writes in the “Preface” to a real philosophical and lyrical novel. A small Swiss town. Educated and sensitive raznochinets Saint-Pre, like Abelard, falls in love with his apprentice Julia, the daughter of Baron d’Etange. And although […]...

  25. Summary Freken Julia Strindberg A. Strindberg Freken Julia The action takes place in Sweden, in the count’s, a manor in the kitchen on the night of Ivan Kupala, when, according to folk tradition, among all who celebrate this religious and magical holiday all the class boundaries are temporarily abolished. Christina, a cook of thirty-five years, is standing by the […]...

  26. “Theater” Maugham in brief Julia Lambert is the best actress in England. She is forty-six years old; she is beautiful, rich, famous; busy with the favorite thing in the most favorable conditions for this, that is, playing in your own theater; her marriage is considered ideal; she has an adult son… Thomas Fennel is a young accountant hired by […]...

  27. “Shadow” of Schwartz in brief summary Strange adventures have occurred with a young scientist named Christian-Theodore, who came to a small southern country to study history. He settled in a hotel, in a room where the storyteller Hans Christian Andersen lived before him. The master’s daughter Annunziata tells him about the extraordinary testament of the last local king. In it, he […]...

  28. Summary of “The Shadow” by Schwartz Strange adventures have occurred with a young scientist named Christian-Theodore, who came to a small southern country to study history. He settled in a hotel, in a room where the storyteller Hans Christian Andersen lived before him. (Maybe this is the whole point?) Annunciate’s host daughter tells him about the extraordinary testament of the last […]...

  29. Summary of the Shadow E. L. Schwartz Shadow Strange adventures have occurred with a young scientist named Christian-Theodore, who came to a small southern country to study history. He settled in a hotel, in a room where the storyteller Hans Christian Andersen lived before him. (Maybe this is the whole point?) Annunciate’s host daughter tells him about the unusual […]...

  30. Summary of “Petr Petrovich Karataev” Turgenev Five years ago, in the autumn, on the road from Moscow to Tula, I had to sit almost all day in the postal house for a lack of horses. With cold despair I looked out the window when a small cart stopped in front of the porch. A 30-year-old man entered the room with a […]...

  31. Summary “The White Guard” Bulgakov The action of the product unfolds in 1918-1919 in the unknown City of N, which resembles Kiev. He is occupied by the German invaders, the power is concentrated in the hands of the hetman. Everybody is waiting for Petlyura fighters to enter the city. Life in the village is strange and unnatural. In the house […]...

  32. Summary Chameleon Anton Chekhov A. P. Chekhov Chameleon Through the market square there is police inspector Ochumelov. He sees a running dog that catches up and grabs a swearing man. A crowd is gathering. A man (goldsmith master Hryukin) shows the crowd a bitten finger. Ochumelov is determined: “I’ll show you how to dismiss dogs!” Yeldyrin, “he turns to […]...

  33. Summary of “Ermolai and Miller” by Turgenev In the evening, we went with Ermolai to hunt woodcocks. Yermolai is a hunter, a man of about 45, tall, thin, with a long nose, narrow forehead, gray eyes and wide, mocking lips. All the year round he walked in a caftan of German cut and blue trousers. Yermolay had an old flintlock and a […]...

  34. Summary The City of William Faulkner William Faulkner City It’s been ten years since Flem Snoops, with his wife and baby, arrived in Jefferson and settled at the restaurant counter, half the share in which he traded from VK Ratliff to a third of the abandoned Old Frenchman’s manor. Soon he was already the sole owner of this institution, and some […]...

  35. “City” Faulkner in summary Ten years have passed since Flem Snopes, with his wife and baby, arrived in Jefferson and settled behind the counter of the restaurant, half the share in which he traded from VK Ratlif to a third of the abandoned estate of the Old Frenchman. Soon he was already the sole owner of this institution, and […]...

  36. Summary “My Universities” Gorky Alyosha went to Kazan. The young man wanted to go to university, dreamed of learning. However, everything turned out differently. Upon arrival in the city, the hero began to understand that he would not be able to enter the university. The Evreinov family lived modestly, it was impossible for her to feed another person. Alexey […]...

  37. Summary of “The Adventures of the Clerk” by Doyle To Sherlock Holmes, a young man named Hall Picrotha turns for help. Mr. Picrot for many years served in a brokerage firm that went bankrupt. After receiving excellent recommendations, he searched for work for a long time. Having spent all his savings and already despairing, Mr. Picroct suddenly took a place in a big banker’s […]...

  38. Summary “Early Cranes” Aimanov School in a small Kyrgyz aile. Cold, unheated class. The teacher tells the frozen and chilled children about the warm island of Ceylon, where unprecedented fruits grow, amazing animals and summer all year round. But Sultanmurat’s thoughts are far away. Many inhabitants of ail have already perished, his father is now also at the front […]...

  39. “Peaches” O. Henry in summary Honeymoon in full swing. Little McGarry, a welterweight boxer who does not know himself in the ring, is blissful. He is ready to fulfill any desire of his young wife. And when she cooed: “Darling, I would eat a peach,” he gets up and follows the peaches. But the Italian at the corner of the […]...

  40. Summary “Tatyana Borisovna and her nephew” Turgenev Tatyana Borisovna – a woman of about 50, with large gray eyes, bulging, ruddy cheeks and a double chin, her face breathes with affection. Widowed, she settled permanently in her little estate. She was born in a poor family and did not receive any upbringing. Despite this, she is not infected with the usual ailments […]...

A summary of Orwell’s 1984
«
»