1984 & Animal Farm — George Orwell

1984 and Animal Farm are two of George Orwell's most renowned works, each offering a profound commentary on the nature of power, control, and the perils of totalitarianism, albeit through different lenses. 1984 is set in a dystopian future where the world is divided into three superstates, with the story focusing on Airstrip One (formerly Great Britain), part of the totalitarian superstate of Oceania. The novel introduces us to Winston Smith, a member of the Outer Party who works at the Ministry of Truth, where his job is to alter historical records and ensure they match the Party's current official version of the past. The society is under the omnipresent surveillance of Big Brother, where independent thinking is a crime, and the Thought Police brutally enforce loyalty to the Party. Through Winston's eyes, Orwell explores themes of surveillance, censorship, the manipulation of truth, and the loss of individuality, illustrating a harrowing world where freedom and truth are subverted by propaganda and power. Animal Farm presents a satirical tale set on a farm where the animals revolt against their human farmer, aspiring to create a society where animals can be equal, free, and happy. However, the rebellion's initial noble goals are quickly overshadowed by the rise of the pigs, who establish themselves as the new ruling class. Led by the cunning pig Napoleon, the new regime becomes indistinguishable from the oppressive human rule they overthrew. Through the allegory of the farm, Orwell critiques the Russian Revolution and the subsequent corruption of socialist ideals in the Soviet Union, exploring themes of power, corruption, and betrayal, ultimately conveying the cynical message that power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely. Together, 1984 and Animal Farm offer timeless warnings against the dangers of totalitarianism, the corrupting influence of power, and the importance of guarding against the erosion of fundamental freedoms and truths. Orwell's masterful storytelling and sharp political commentary make both novels enduring classics that continue to resonate with readers around the world.