Reading Journal: 1984 (Part 1)

There are several elements that dictate what a utopia is.  The book 1984, written by George Orwell, addresses most of these elements just within the first section of the story.  In the story, the people of a new nation, Airstrip One, built from what used to be England, are run by a demanding power.  This power, known as "The Party," (run by a man named "Big Brother") enforces many rules and regulations--but not laws, "nothing was illegal, since there were no longer any laws" (page 6)--to keep its citizens in conformity.  The main thing that the Party did was remove the people's rights, especially the right to privacy.  Placed in everyone's home was a "telescreen," which received and transmitted sight and sound simultaneously so that "there was of course no way of knowing whether you were being watched at any given moment," (page 3).  Also, the Thought Police made sure that no one committed "thoughtcrime," which is basically what it sounds like: illegal thinking (primarily against the Party or Big Brother).  All the people of Airstrip One are expected to live by the same beliefs as the Party, and especially the Party's motto: War is Peace, Freedom is Slavery, Ignorance is Strength.

The Party used all of these things and more to limit conflict in the nation.  Though religion is not necessarily discussed, believing in the Party is so enforced that it is practically a new religion altogether.  In fact, one woman cried out that Big Brother was her "savior."  Relationships are greatly restricted to the point where love and friendship no longer exist in Airstrip One.  Few people get married, and those who do don't marry for what people used to marry for (love, trust, etc.).  As mentioned previously, under the Party, the people's right to choose pretty much vanished from existence.  Everyone is required to follow all Party beliefs and practices or else they are killed (children of the newest generation in the book love to go to public hangings).

Overall, the people go along with what the Party says and does.  They are told that what they have is the standard "happy" life, and for the most part, people believe it.  This new society is definitely a dystopian society.  The Party is in complete control, and they run every single person's life.  All of the rights people are supposed to be born with are taken away by the Party and Big Brother.  Though some (both Party members and normal citizens) consider all that the Party does for the greater good, these methods are really just turning the nation into a terrible place.