George Orwell
George Orwell, born in 1903, left an indelible mark on literature, philosophy, and the collective consciousness of humankind. A renowned author and essayist, he left us with thought-provoking insights that resonate to this day.
Orwell is well known as the author of “Animal Farm” – a satirical allegorical novel about a group of animals who rebel against their owner in an attempt to create an ideal society where everyone was equal, free, and happy. It is a powerful allegory that exposes the dangers of totalitarianism and the corruption of revolutionary ideals. The novel is actually a critique of the Soviet Union – and the fact that the USSR was anything but the wonderful place of equality it was touted to be.
Orwell is even better revered as the author of his masterpiece “Nineteen Eighty-Four” – a profound anti-utopian novel that warns against the perils of oppressive regimes and surveillance states. In this novel, he was heavily influenced by historical events, political ideologies, and other literary works of his time. Interestingly, he was initially a socialist, but he became skeptical of collectivism – and saw it as deceptively tyrannical and clearly not democratic.
In the second book of our trilogy, Adam and Tariana travel back to his homeland Novana to lead his people away from AI oppression. Artificial intelligence influenced robots, the Plakerols, are programmed to think humans need their interference to survive. By controlling every aspect of human life they destroyed what it is to be uniquely human. This ‘it’s for your own good’ mentality largely influenced the way dictators of the WWII era and even those of today hold power over their subjects.
In “1984,” he modeled his image of totalitarian government after those of Communist Russia and Nazi Germany, both collectivist states hostile to private property and economic freedom. The rise of dictators like Adolf Hitler in Germany and Joseph Stalin in the USSR fueled Orwell’s deep concern about unchecked political authority. Written just a few years after the end of World War II, “1984” reflects the tenuousness of supposedly people’s rule and the dangerous realities of power, control, and government propaganda. His vision of a nightmarish future emerged from a blend of historical events, political ideologies, and literary influences. “1984” remains a haunting exploration of surveillance, manipulation, and the struggle for individual freedom.
Here are a few of Orwell’s most impactful quotes that sadly remain relevant today:
"The further a society drifts from truth, the more it will hate those who speak it."
"The people will believe what the media tells them they believe."
"In a time of universal deceit, telling the truth is a revolutionary act."
"Free speech is my right to say what you don’t want to hear."
"The past was erased, the erasure was forgotten, the lie became the truth."
Throughout his writings, George Orwell dissected the complexities of nationalism, totalitarianism, and propaganda, and fearlessly critiqued the related abuse of power and the erosion of individual freedoms. He championed the cause of “the ordinary person”— those often overlooked by society. His empathy for the downtrodden and his commitment to social justice shine throughout his works.
Orwell’s exploration of human nature is evident in his portrayal of emotion, freedom, and control. His dislike for middle-class pretensions fueled his evolution as a writer. He vividly depicted how totalitarian authorities suppress individual liberties and expression to maintain dominance.
Orwell’s legacy extends beyond literature. His ideas continue to shape discussions on truth, history, and class status. His commitment to honesty, integrity, and the fight against oppression remain an enduring beacon for humankind. His contributions transcend time.
In our novels, we are inspired by Orwell to question authority, defend liberty, and strive for a more just and compassionate world. Like Orwell, in our writings we present bold truths with themes such as: ‘We are all different; we are all the same,” and we question falsehoods with allegorical representations of issues in real world society. While we acknowledge that society today has a long way to go, we hope that we can make our own small meaningful impact with our words.
