More than that, his characters and societies in 1984 are so one-dimensional as to be completely unrealistic, and therefore frankly pretty boring. In the real world (even in the worst totalitarian dictatorship, or in e.g. prison torture camps) motivations and relationships are always complex and usually confusing. 1984 is much more of a fairytale than “great literature”; the latter requires sympathetic human characters. (For instance, compare with Shakespeare’s heroes and villains.) I think one of the reasons that 1984 and Animal Farm have been so enduring is that their simplicity allows people to ignore Orwell’s actual intentions or message.
Down and Out in Paris and London and Homage to Catalonia are much more rewarding reading than 1984 or Animal Farm.
Down and Out in Paris and London and Homage to Catalonia are much more rewarding reading than 1984 or Animal Farm.