Analyses

Socialism as Viewed in American Literature 

  George Orwell’s 1984 presents a totalitarian, socialist society that is presented as an utopia when in reality, it is dystopia. The themes of censorship and limiting free speech, ideals that contrast heavily with American values and democracy. This book was written by an author imagining a society forty years later. Evident fear-mongering existed in the story. 

  This view of socialism was emphasized in mid to late 20th century America. Many Americans grew up despising this form of political structure due to fear-mongering and other propaganda. After the second world war, non-traditional forms of government were rejected and criticized. Understandably, this criticism was likely very justified since an evident lack of democracy existed in Soviet-era Russia. Conditions were also very harsh and unideal. 

  Nowadays, some Americans even believe that his book was prophetic and the country has transformed into one that Orwell wrote about in his book. However, this belief is likely exaggerated. While security has certainly increased, we don’t have mirror-like telescreens in our rooms for mandatory government videos to name one example. The ability to freely express our thoughts and ideas is a very essential right that people have often undervalued and underappreciated. The level of freedom that still exists in our society even forty years later is impressive and significant despite the growing population. Concepts like doublethink don’t exist, at least not to the level as expressed in the book. 

  Despite the belief that the book was prophetic, the book in itself was very impressive for the concepts and could be considered ahead of its time. Countries do have political structures consisting of heavy censorship of thoughts and ideas, even if not to the extremity or magnitude as conveyed in 1984. The valued of the freedom of expression and speech was underscored throughout his novel