Is 1984 a story with a happy ending?

[kissedcherry]

What do you think about Orwell's "1984." When you read it or, more likely saw the movie, did you think of it as a happy story with a good ending? Or did you see it as a horrific nightmare?

Somehow that contrast in viewpoints has become real in the political landscape of today and I am trying to understand what the vision of the left really is.

 

[SpeareChucker]

It was the happiest of endings,
right up there with Casablanca.

In the end, our protagonist
ended up socially well-adjusted.
He learned to conform to the norm,
to go with the flow, to be silent.

He proves that the best usefulness
of good governance is to protect
us from ourselves. More people
need to learn that lesson in 2020...

 

[oneblueye]

hey ...

What do you think about Orwell's "1984." When you read it or, more likely saw the movie, did you think of it as a happy story with a good ending? Or did you see it as a horrific nightmare?

Somehow that contrast in viewpoints has become real in the political landscape of today and I am trying to understand what the vision of the left really is.

loved the book---, hated the movie I thought it was stupid back then...
I think even less of the movie nowdays.
Did the end of the book have a happy ending???
If I'm remembering correctly, in my opinion, in a nihilistic sort of way ---, yes.

 

[FescueFan]

Somehow that contrast in viewpoints has become real in the political landscape of today and I am trying to understand what the vision of the left really is.

Same as it ever was....social and economic equity.

They just can't be honest about it now because most people recognize just how horrible that turned out every time it was tried on a national scale in the last 150 years. And is super unpopular in the US.

This is why you'll see most western leftist get all mealy mouthed and beat around the bush while they go for broad terms to hide their dishonesty when directly confronted about what exactly their political values are.

The useful idiots are generally easy to spot, they don't realize that supporting the USA "progress"-ing past our old habits, ideals, customs and culture so that we can "progress" into a future more equitable fore everyone!! Makes them Maoist.

 

[kissedcherry]

It is like a warm blanket..

It was the happiest of endings,
right up there with Casablanca.

In the end, our protagonist
ended up socially well-adjusted.
He learned to conform to the norm,
to go with the flow, to be silent.

He proves that the best usefulness
of good governance is to protect
us from ourselves. More people
need to learn that lesson in 2020...

I think you are right. Having big brother caring for us sounds soothing.

 

[kissedcherry]

1984 = good. Trump = bad.

Is socialism a bad thing in Biden's "mind?" I don't understand. He was going on and on insisting that he is not a socialist. And yet his manifesto is pure socialism. So why promote the wonders of socialism and yet proclaim to the woke masses that it is not socialism? That would be like insisting that 2+2=5.

 

[BoyNextDoor]

The trumpet-call had let loose an enormous volume of noise. Already an excited voice was gabbling from the telescreen, but even as it started it was almost drowned by a roar of cheering from outside. The news had run round the streets like magic. He could hear just enough of what was issuing from the telescreen to realize that it had all happened, as he had foreseen; a vast seaborne armada had secretly assembled a sudden blow in the enemy's rear, the white arrow tearing across the tail of the black. Fragments of triumphant phrases pushed themselves through the din: 'Vast strategic manoeuvre -- perfect co-ordination -- utter rout -- half a million prisoners -- complete demoralization -- control of the whole of Africa -- bring the war within measurable distance of its end victory -- greatest victory in human history -- victory, victory, victory!'

Under the table Winston's feet made convulsive movements. He had not stirred from his seat, but in his mind he was running, swiftly running, he was with the crowds outside, cheering himself deaf. He looked up again at the portrait of Big Brother. The colossus that bestrode the world! The rock against which the hordes of Asia dashed themselves in vain! He thought how ten minutes ago -- yes, only ten minutes -- there had still been equivocation in his heart as he wondered whether the news from the front would be of victory or defeat. Ah, it was more than a Eurasian army that had perished! Much had changed in him since that first day in the Ministry of Love, but the final, indispensable, healing change had never happened, until this moment.

The voice from the telescreen was still pouring forth its tale of prisoners and booty and slaughter, but the shouting outside had died down a little. The waiters were turning back to their work. One of them approached with the gin bottle. Winston, sitting in a blissful dream, paid no attention as his glass was filled up. He was not running or cheering any longer. He was back in the Ministry of Love, with everything forgiven, his soul white as snow. He was in the public dock, confessing everything, implicating everybody. He was walking down the white-tiled corridor, with the feeling of walking in sunlight, and an armed guard at his back. The longhoped-for bullet was entering his brain.

He gazed up at the enormous face. Forty years it had taken him to learn what kind of smile was hidden beneath the dark moustache. O cruel, needless misunderstanding! O stubborn, self-willed exile from the loving breast! Two gin-scented tears trickled down the sides of his nose. But it was all right, everything was all right, the struggle was finished. He had won the victory over himself. He loved Big Brother.

 

[doowdniw]

I don't remember how it ends. I read it in the early 70s, so just a little water under the bridge since then.

But Sleeper had a happy ending for sure.

 

[DeluxAuto]

Same as it ever was....social and economic equity.

They just can't be honest about it now because most people recognize just how horrible that turned out every time it was tried on a national scale in the last 150 years. And is super unpopular in the US.

This is why you'll see most western leftist get all mealy mouthed and beat around the bush while they go for broad terms to hide their dishonesty when directly confronted about what exactly their political values are.

The useful idiots are generally easy to spot, they don't realize that supporting the USA "progress"-ing past our old habits, ideals, customs and culture so that we can "progress" into a future more equitable fore everyone!! Makes them Maoist.

The gap between what you know and what you think you know would make the Grand Canyon jealous.

 

[Lazaran]

The gap between what you know and what you think you know would make the Grand Canyon jealous.

He's a sociopath like Trump. Exaggerating the Democratic platform is the 2020 republican version of fear mongerimg. Calls for immigration reform are twisted into calls for open borders. Calls for addressing gross income inequality are twisted into calls for rigid income equality. Calls for addressing climate change are twisted into calls for the destruction of the American way of life. Calls for universal healthcare are twisted into calls for death panels. Calls for criminal justice reform are twisted into calls for the abolishment of community policing.

It's all they've got.

SAD!!!

 

[Sean]

Is socialism a bad thing in Biden's "mind?" I don't understand. He was going on and on insisting that he is not a socialist. And yet his manifesto is pure socialism. So why promote the wonders of socialism and yet proclaim to the woke masses that it is not socialism? That would be like insisting that 2+2=5.

What part, exactly, of Biden's manifesto would you describe as socialism?

 

[DeluxAuto]

What part, exactly, of Biden's manifesto would you describe as socialism?

Anything that isn't hard-right is now "socialism."

Duh.

 

[RobDownSouth]

Anything that isn't hard-right is now "socialism."

Duh.

Been that way for quite a while, they just didn't admit it.
https://i.imgur.com/OqcemyS.png

 

[Lazaran]

.
The right wingers know they're full of shit. They're just using the "S" word to scare moderates.

 

[FescueFan]

The gap between what you know and what you think you know would make the Grand Canyon jealous.

Ohh look more vapid shit talk from Delux...who still won't get behind anything solid.

He's a sociopath like Trump. Exaggerating the Democratic platform is the 2020 republican version of fear mongerimg. Calls for immigration reform are twisted into calls for open borders. Calls for addressing gross income inequality are twisted into calls for rigid income equality. Calls for addressing climate change are twisted into calls for the destruction of the American way of life. Calls for universal healthcare are twisted into calls for death panels. Calls for criminal justice reform are twisted into calls for the abolishment of community policing.

It's all they've got.

SAD!!!

Nah...just not a leftist stain.

The rest of that is as dishonest as "mostly peaceful protesting" .

Anything that isn't hard-right is now "socialism."

Duh.

Been that way for quite a while, they just didn't admit it.
https://i.imgur.com/OqcemyS.png

This is what socialist do when they can't own up to the fact that they support collective (government) control and administration over the means of production and distribution of goods and services.

 

[RobDownSouth]

.
The right wingers know they're full of shit. They're just using the "S" word to scare moderates.

I think they use it to scare themselves.

I know Rightguide scratches his unibrow in bewilderment that anyone under 50 doesn't flinch when the word "Socialism" is mentioned.....it used to be one of his "go to" adjectives. Four decades has shown the failure of "Capitalism Uber Alles".

 

[SpeareChucker]

*chuckle*

 

[Wrong Element]

"What you’re seeing and what you’re reading is not what’s happening"— Donald Trump

"The party told you to reject the evidence of your eyes and ears. It was their final, most essential command"— George Orwell

 

[Lazaran]

I think they use it to scare themselves.

I know Rightguide scratches his unibrow in bewilderment that anyone under 50 doesn't flinch when the word "Socialism" is mentioned.....it used to be one of his "go to" adjectives. Four decades has shown the failure of "Capitalism Uber Alles".

I wonder if it ever occurs to them that "socialism" wouldn't be on the rise of they hadn't been such crony capitalist cucks.

Nah, probably not.....things like that only occur to those with a brain capable of imdependent thought. That would exclude Trump cultists.

SAD!!!

 

[Lazaran]

"What you’re seeing and what you’re reading is not what’s happening"— Donald Trump

"The party told you to reject the evidence of your eyes and ears. It was their final, most essential command"— George Orwell

Nailed it!!!

 

[DeluxAuto]

Been that way for quite a while, they just didn't admit it.
https://i.imgur.com/OqcemyS.png

Ha! That's where I stole it from.

 

[Fermina_Daza]

1. A touch happier than “A Brave New World,” which I found to be a more intriguing book.
2. A book and a movie may not always have the same ending - The ending of the movie version Iain’s Reed “I’m Thinking of Ending Things” was utter crap. It was felt the original brutal ending was “too much.”
3. Lewis Sinclair’s “It Can’t Happen Here” is more spot on if people want to compare Trump’s Presidency to a book - since it never made it to the big screen most people don’t know of its existence.

- so sad a book is no longer considered good unless it becomes a television show or movie.

 

[Sean]

1. A touch happier than “A Brave New World,” which I found to be a more intriguing book.
2. A book and a movie may not always have the same ending - The ending of the movie version Iain’s Reed “I’m Thinking of Ending Things” was utter crap. It was felt the original brutal ending was “too much.”
3. Lewis Sinclair’s “It Can’t Happen Here” is more spot on if people want to compare Trump’s Presidency to a book - since it never made it to the big screen most people don’t know of its existence.

- so sad a book is no longer considered good unless it becomes a television show or movie.

I was never really a fan of Orwell's novels. I did, however, love his essays.

 

[DeluxAuto]

1. A touch happier than “A Brave New World,” which I found to be a more intriguing book.
2. A book and a movie may not always have the same ending - The ending of the movie version Iain’s Reed “I’m Thinking of Ending Things” was utter crap. It was felt the original brutal ending was “too much.”
3. Lewis Sinclair’s “It Can’t Happen Here” is more spot on if people want to compare Trump’s Presidency to a book - since it never made it to the big screen most people don’t know of its existence.

- so sad a book is no longer considered good unless it becomes a television show or movie.

2. You made it to the ending? I didn't make it past the car ride.

 

[Lazaran]

3. Lewis Sinclair’s “It Can’t Happen Here” is more spot on if people want to compare Trump’s Presidency to a book - since it never made it to the big screen most people don’t know of its existence.

- so sad a book is no longer considered good unless it becomes a television show or movie.

I think Ritchie Blackmore and Rainbow paid homage to it in a song.