apalogia

To determine whether George Orwell’s 1984 is a classic novel or not, a set of classic novel criteria must be set in place. So, what makes a novel a classic? Morality, a classic novel should say something of value, drawing attention to human problems, condemn or applaud certain points of view. It should make a statement that is more significant than the "Chocolate cake is the world's best dessert" kind of comment. But we don't have to agree with the author’s statement, it just has to be there. What Orwell was trying to accomplish with 1984 was to give his readers a clear picture of what life would be like, if a free country like England were under totalitarian rule. Effective language - The language used should be forceful, fresh and not hackneyed, and suitable to the purposes of the statement/message. Truthfulness - Is the work credible? Does the author make us believe what is being said? Such a standard cannot, of course, be applied literally. We do not believe in the literal truth of 1984, but we understand that Orwell is using fantasy, exaggeration and his coveted dark satire to communicate basic truths about humanity. Moreover, a good novel should give us the feeling that what happened to the characters was inevitable; that, given their temperaments and the situation in which they were placed, the outcome could not have been otherwise. Everything we know about Winston Smith, for instance, makes his rebellion inevitable. A different ending would have been disappointing and untrue. Universality - Regardless of when it was written, the work should hold meaning still in the western world, and should still hold that meaning in the future. Timelessness - The work should be of lasting interest. The comments the author makes about people, about the pressure, rewards, and problems of life should still be relevant. The theme of the work should be as pertinent now as it was at the time it was written. 1984 was written in 1943 and was set to be an image of what life will be like in 1984. Well, it’s been 26 years since 1984 and this classic novel is still in press.