In many ways 1984 by George Orwell, was ahead of its time---
ironically, it parallels present day society in the U.S. in many ways. Yet at the same time,
the novel falls short---certain prophecies have yet to come true.
The story 1984 predicted many truths about present day society,
truths such as illegal prostitution, brainwashing, and personal identification were
predictions expressed in the book that have come true today. In the story, prostitution was
illegal and in present day society it is very much illegal. Within the novel, during
newspeak, thought criminals spoke about the crimes they committed. The most popular
crime was engaging in sexual activities with a prostitute. Now we wouldn't be tortured for
it today but we can serve jail time for soliciting with a prostitute.
Another example in the book was the prediction of brainwashing.
The truth is that today people are being brainwashed constantly and some times they don't
even know it.
English: Big Brother is watching you! CCTV near Ch...
English: River Orwell Shore Looking towards Felixs...
London - Portobello Road, George Orwell HouseFor example people are always being brainwashed into buying a certain
product by advertisements on the televisions or by subliminal messages. Winston was
brainwashed into conforming to the normal society by loving Big Brother. The
brainwashing in the book might be a little exaggerated but it is still the same concept.
Yet another example is how people are tagged with numbers.
People today are identified by a social security number same as in 1984. Many of Orwells
predictions became true but many didn't.
Despite the truths, there were many untruths prevalent in 1984.
Many concepts expressed in the book such as banned sex, thought police, food shortages
from the past were all predictions that never became true. Orwell made the prediction that
sex would be illegal in the year 1984. In the story Winston and Julia were caught having
sex and...