First Reading Blog: 1984

What do Utopia's all have in common?
-I believe that all utopias have a couple things in common, first: they all give off the appearance of happiness, and perfection within a society when there really isn't one, they try to eliminate anything to do with individuality such as religion and partnerships, and lastly they try to make everyone equal.

How has 1984 created equality or conformity?
-In George Orwell's book 1984, the society Air Strip one, is full of many ideas that lead to conformity and the thought of equality. For instance, many people conform to all of the unjust rules and punishments that are carried out through the government "Big Brother". This ruling class is mistreating and unjust to every citizen in Airstrip One, but few can see all of it's flaws Like Winston can. This regime is taking out their previous history in the Ministry of Truth location. Many people think this is completely wrong, to change one's history just to please the ruling class. They are conforming to this horrible act because they are afraid of being sentenced to death like so many previous workers before them. Also they have tried to create equality through what the different classes wear. All workers in political parties must wear a certain type of overall to clarify their occupation.

How have they reduced conflict in individualistic rights?
-Airstrip one has almost completely deystroyed their citizens rights in many ways. First, in almost every corner there is a telescreen that watches and records every movement and sound a citizen will make in their lifetime. This is definatley taking away the concept of privacy. Also they have almost taken out sex, and profanity altogether. It is not fully illegal to have sex, but it is very much looked down upon. Here again they are taking away the individuals right to love one another. Another way is that they have taken out the thought of religions. People cannot freely express their beliefs and praises without being criticized or even killed.

How have they created a forced Happiness?
-In this society, they want everyone to feel happy and that everything is alright, and they succeed in doing this by constantly lying to them. In the book, the food supplies there is slowly dwindling, but "Big Brother" keeps reassuring them that they just got in a new shipment of food, or that they have never had more food then they do right now. But only few actually realize that this is completely false. Also in the Ministry of Truth, where Winston works, he is always seeing cases in history that he must alter so that the people only see positive things, rather than the less satisfying news.

Is this society a Utopia or Distopia?
-I would say that Airstrip one is most definately a distopian society because it gives off the appearance of a utopia, but is unquestionably not perfect in anyway. distopian societies typically have various forms of social control systems, and that is exactly the case in 1984. This society has the thoughtpolice, double think, Big Brother, and Newspeak which are all ways of trying to control social behaviors. Because of this reasoning, you can conclude that this society is in fact a distopia.