Another Day, Another Word

Theme: Words encompassing and arising from a person's name


Orwellian [awr-wel-ee-uhn]

adjective: of or relating to the works of George Orwell (especially his picture of a future totalitarian state)

I know I know, it has been awhile since the last word, what can I say, I've been busy.

This word of course comes from George Orwell, the pseudonym of Eric Blair. It is usually used as a reference to his dystopian novel 1984. In fact the term, Orwellian, has become the same as Dystopia. The thing I find quite interesting about dystopian stories, both in books and on the screen, is that while they purport to show the future they usually are only giving a "Tale of Extension" about the times the author has lived in or through.

1984 is a classic example of this. Set in the year of 1984, it was actually written by Orwell in 1948. A time when Brittain was still suffering from the harsh privations of WWII. The war time rationing did not disappear completely until well into the 50's. Orwell paints a picture of a world eternally at war. The war is used by the powers that be to control the common people by:

1. Absorbing excess production of the population that would otherwise raise the standard of living.
2. Allow the people to be blinded to the oppressions they live under because they are doing it "For the good of the cause"
3. Keeping the people in a constant state of fear and xenophobia.

Winston Smith, the protagonist, starts his rebellion by the simple act of starting to write a journal. While not forbidden it is not condoned either. this is the kind of state where unless something is specifically allowed it is against the law.


While most dystopia's are works of fiction, one of the best is based on fact. One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich by Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn is based of his real experience of life in a Russian Gulag (Forced Labour Camp). The name of the protagonist Ivan Denisovich is a common name, the Russian equivalent of "John Smith". Once again, we see the twisted world through the eyes of the 'everyman'.




In the land of film one of the best Dystopia's is Brazil, produced and directed by terry Gilliam in 1985. here we see a world of endless, meaningless but still brutal Bureaucracy. A world obsessed with plastic surgery. Where a simple clerk dreams of a better life.



What actually prompted today's word was a the latest novel by Ben Elton, Blind Faith. Which in many was is a reworking, updating or possibly a homage to 1984. The setting is moved to the end of this century (possible 2084...), once again set in London (while it is never actually stated in 1984 as the cities no longer have names) and again focusing on an every man. Who also is actually a cog in the machine of oppression to which he is trying to rebel. In '84 W Smith rebels by writing a book, in Blind Faith Trafford rebels by reading them. Books are not banned, only fiction and science books are. You can read all the 'self improvement' books you wish but to read anything of quality is to single yourself out as an 'elitist snob', who is 'up themselves' and 'thinks they are better than everyone else'.

Which will lead to you being torn apart by an angry mob. There is no such thing as privacy.

Well that is a good enough round up of today's word.