David Walter

December 15, 2017

Period 3
Annotated Bibliography

Bloom, Harold, and George Orwell. George Orwell's 1984. Chelsea House Publishers, 1987.

A book which is apart of a series of perspective analysis compiled by

professor Harold Bloom. This book in particular dives into the novel 1984,
unraveling its intricacies such as its themes, utopianism and gamesmanship.
Through the thoughts and analysis of Bloom and others used, 1984’s
interpretation through modern lenses is conveyed to give the reader a deeper
understanding of Orwell’s novel.
This text serves as guide for deep analysis of the novel 1984. Harold
Bloom’s reputation with his critical analysis’ stands as a testimate for his
legitimacy in interpreting novels. This knowledge compiled grants the essay a
strong piece of evidence to the evolution of thought and literary impact 1984
presents.

Bossche, Edmond van den, “THE MESSAGE FOR TODAY IN ORWELL'S '1984'”, The New
York Times, The New York Times Company, January 1, 1984,
http://www.nytimes.com/1984/01/01/nyregion/the-message-for-today-in-orwell-s-
1984.html?pagewanted=all, Accessed December 13, 2017.

Edmond van den Bossche’s New York Times article focuses on the topic
of dystopia, as it relates to Orwell’s 1984 and the world as it was in 1984.
Bossche challenges whether or not 1984 will become a reality. And if not, how
much of it was wrong and how much was right, if at all. Bossche often makes
comparisons of the entities in the novel to its real world counterpart (apples to
apples). Such comparisons such as, the State’s control and Big Brother, to
totalitarian governments and powerful world leaders. It is obvious that Bossche
fears, just as Orwell might have, that this dystopian narrative may not be to far off
from reality.
Bossche’s article holds a valuable position in my essay. His focus on
dystopian principles and themes help construct a connection to what the book
envisioned, and how society shows similar dystopian characteristics as time goes
on. The account deriving from around 1984 creates a even more unique dynamic.
This being the year which Orwell predicted this horror might occur. These
connections to 1984 are extremely important in showing how society may have
 been impacted by the novel, as well as how the perception/thoughts towards the
novel compared to its release.
Charles, Ron, “Why Orwell’s ‘1984’ matters so much now”, The Washington Post, The
Washington Post, January 25, 2017,
https://www.washingtonpost.com/entertainment/books/why-orwells-1984-matters-so-
much-now/2017/01/25/3cf81964-e313-11e6-a453-
19ec4b3d09ba_story.html?utm_term=.0a2f926d3f48, Accessed December 13, 2017.

In this article by The Washington Post, Ron Charles expresses concerning

similarities between the perceived fiction of Orwell’s novel, and the
characteristics of the current president Donald Trump and the US government.
The article points to specific quotes to the novel such as “doublethink” and relates
them specifically to the president and current politics in the US. The writer Ron
Charles aims to convince the reader of the growing similarities between current
government and history’s idea of dystopia. With it, he brings a very convincing
argument.
The article’s focus on current politics and government and comparing it to
1984’s dystopianism brings a heap of knowledge to how the novel is affecting our
society today. Using the current president and politics as a means for direct
correlation gives the reader a clear picture of how possible a dystopia really is.
Ron Charles's views, whether correct in their assumptions or not, give valid
arguments that a dystopia is possible in today’s society. The themes and relations
to current society and 1984 in this article will give my essay convincing
arguments into how 1984 has had an impact on today’s society.

Freedland, Jonathan, “1984 by George Orwell, book of a lifetime: An absorbing, deeply

affecting
political thriller”, The Independent, July 2, 2015, http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-
entertainment/books/reviews/1984-by-george-orwell-book-of-a-lifetime-an-absorbing-
deeply-affecting-political-thriller-10360789.html, Accessed Decmeber 13, 2017.

This source, produced by British news company Independent Co, contains

a review written by Jonathan Freedland in 2015. Freedland’s perspective comes
from him reading the book as he was a teenager, and his thoughts and
understandings of the novel now. Freedland, like other reviewers today, praise
Orwell’s depiction of the dystopian society and the after effects it caused in
societal thinking.
Freedland’s review gives this essay another perspective of how our society
today views Orwell’s novel 1984. The perspective of critics today, since our
society now has a greater possibility of a dystopian society than the novel’s
 release. Freedland’s review shows how Orwell’s themes in his novel still hold
true today. His predictions and thoughts can be compared to everyday events over
60 years later. This source strengthens the essay’s points of historical reception in
the present.

Howe, Irving. Orwell's Nineteen Eighty-Four: Text, Sources, Criticism. Harcourt, Brace &
World, 1963.

Howe Irving’s text contains three separate sections. The text of 1984
itself, Essays and sources regarding the thoughts and influences to which 1984
was written, and criticism and reception from Howe himself and other literary
minds for the novel 1984. This combination of text, sources, and criticisms is
intended to extend beyond the book itself. This can be achieved through the
thoughts of Orwell, the thoughts and interpretations of his writing, and even the
inspirations Orwell found to write 1984.
This source is used mainly for evolution of thought and historical
reception. However, the sources section will be useful after reading 1984 simply
for personal use. This section will help strengthen understanding and may not be
directly applicable in the essay itself. The criticism section is where most of the
usefulness is held. The thoughts and opinions of literary minds show how the
novel was perceived and thought of shortly after its release. This will help with
connecting the past (this) to the present, therefore forming the evolution of
thought.

Kakutani, Michiko, “Why ‘1984’ Is a 2017 Must-Read”, The New York Times, The New York
Times Company, January 26, 2017, https://www.nytimes.com/2017/01/26/books/why-
1984-is-a-2017-must-read.html, Accessed December 13, 2017.

This online article focuses on the importance of 1984 in today’s world.

The article, written by Kakutani Michiko, touches on how our technology and
politics has made Orwell’s novel so relevant and increasingly popular in today’s
society. Similarly, Michiko also expresses how similar historical comparisons
have occured. Events such as Watergate have shown important reasons that keep
1984 relevant.
This source, similarly to Ron Charles’ article, this article focuses on the
similar characteristics of our society and 1984’s society. Deriving from another
well known news source, The New York Times’ focus on this topic not only shows
additional relevance but also credibility to the topic. This source should provide
additional information on the impact 1984 had on society.
Kellner, Douglas, “From 1984 to One-Dimensional Man: Critical Reflections on Orwell and
Marcuse”, UCLA Ed & IS,
https://pages.gseis.ucla.edu/faculty/kellner/essays/from1984toonedimensional.pdf,
Accessed December 13, 2017.

A critical analysis of the work of both Orwell and Marcuse. This scholarly
article focuses on the literary aspects of Orwell’s and Marcuse’s work. Douglas
Kellner analyzes the works of Orwell and Macuse through a literary perspective.
Kellner highlights important novels of both writers such as 1984 and uses their
characteristics to compare Orwell and Marcuse. Kellner looks at novels like 1984
as a formula for success. Kellner is often found disecting how dystopian novels
such as 1984 found success.
Some of this source will not be used considering it is not analyzing just
1984. However it will serve useful in the parts which do discuss 1984 and the
literary ideas and concepts the novel introduces. This work serves as the evidence
for the literary impact of the novel 1984.

Lamar, Cyriaque, “ Read Aldous Huxley's review of 1984 he sent to George Orwell”,
Gizmodo, Gizmodo, March 6, 2012, https://io9.gizmodo.com/5890861/read-aldous-
huxleys-review-of-1984-he-sent-to-george-orwell, Accessed December 13, 2017.

Cyriaque’s article contains a letter to Orwell, which was written by Aldous

Huxley, in which Huxley gives Orwell is impressions on his novel 1984. The
letter was written shortly after the release of 1984, only a few months in fact.
Huxley was the author of the dystopian novel Brave New World, and former
teacher of George Orwell. The letter is written in a formal yet personal
congratulatory style. Huxley praises Orwell for his novel and compares its themes
to those in his own dystopian novel. Huxley essentially agrees with Orwells
frightening predictions and expresses his fears of both of their novels coming to
fruition.
Huxley's review and opinions on Orwell’s novel gives great insight into
how society viewed these now controversial topics. Considering how seriously
society fears dystopian societies currently, it is intriguing to see the perspective
before novels such as 1984 and Brave New World. This letter gives the essay
insight into the historical reception of 1984 as well as a piece in deducing the
evolution of thought in regards to the novel and dystopian societies.

Orwell, George. 1984: With Connections. Holt, Rinehart and Winston, 2002.
 This version of George Orwell’s 1984 contains the original text, along
with what is referred to as “connections”. These connections are contained in a
separate section following the novel which contain related stories and other useful
information pertaining to Orwell and 1984. These stories, as well as an attached
biography of Orwell, paint a picture of 1984 with a larger scope. Allowing for
connections to the real world or other universal themes to be made easier.
Aside from being the actual novel for my research, this source will help
with relating the themes and motifs to the real world and similar stories. In doing
so, original themes develop complete with a high understanding of the novel
itself. This source was used over a normal 1984 novel due to the additional
resources it brings.

Rothman, Lily, “Read TIME's Original Review of Nineteen Eighty-Four”, Time Magazine, Time
Inc., June 8, 2015, http://time.com/3903841/review-nineteen-eighty-four-history/,
Accessed December 13, 2017

A brief section from the original TIME magazine review of Orwell’s

1984. The reviewer, who already expected the novel to be enjoyable, even still
was stunned after reading the novel after its release. The writer expresses her love
for the unexpectedness the characters held in the story. She intentionally mentions
the different means Orwell took to make the novel as sadistic or horrifying as a
dystopian society could be. She praises Orwell for this, even comparing the
success of the novel to a previous work in Animal Farm — a previous novel
written by Orwell which was well received.
This review of Orwell’s 1984 is simply to provide supporting evidence to
the reception of the novel initially. The credibility from the well known web
magazine and newspaper company Time, should hold as suffice supporting
evidence for how the novel was first received. Specifically, the website and the
review itself, is meant to show the historical reception of the novel as it pertains to
its initial release.

“1984 (1956).” IMDb, IMDb.com, www.imdb.com/title/tt0048918/. Accessed December 13,

2017

The film adaptation for the novel 1984 by George Orwell. The film was
directed by Michael Anderson. The screenplay was written by William
Templeton. The film was released in 1956, which places the film seven years after
the release of Orwell’s novel. The film is based of the novel itself. Set in a
totalitarian dystopian society. The main character, Winston, works for the
government by rewriting history to the government’s liking. After falling in love,
Winston and his lover Julia rebel against the government in an attempt to bring
individuality and freedom back to their people.
The film adaptation of 1984, in my essay, serves as a reflection of the
novel’s early influences on society. Released only a few years later, the film’s
portrayal gives insight into how society envisioned a society such as this one. In
addition, the early growth in popularity—evidence by the production of a film
adaptation—shows only more the impact the novel had on society following the
novel’s release. Overall, the film adaptation simply put, will show evidence of
the impact the novel had on the societal world of the 1940’s/50’s.