What can we learn from 1984 and Julia?

This book felt so timely to me. Years ago 1984 seemed like a scary, fictional book but when I read it now , it was chilling. I just read “All the light we cannot see” and the descriptions of how the Nazis used propaganda to demonize Jews and indoctrinate children and adults. Lies were repeated over and over until they were believed and cruelty was rewarded and people became desensitized to it. History has a lot to teach us…will we learn?

Vigilance is critical to avoid the slow erosion of our freedoms. Study history so it is not repeated. People ask how citizens of Germany allowed the Holocaust to happen! Indoctrination! Propaganda! Demonization! Unfounded blame! And finally, fear. How is it that young people, a mere 22 years after the 9/11 attacks can consider a treatise by Osama Bin Laden to have any legitimacy! Those of us who saw the towers fall and drove be the Pentagon and remember the bravery of the passengers on Flight 95 are shocked and horrified. Every student should be required to read about the Holocaust or visit a Holocaust museum. Every student should be taught about Japans attack on Pearl Harbor. Every student should be compelled to watch Schindler’s List, We Were Soldiers, They Shall Not Grow Old, John Adams, Saving Private Ryan, Exodus, Letters From Iwo Jima, Apacolypse Now, and Bridge in the River Kwai.

We can learn that the price of freedom is eternal vigilance—we are already seeing the warning signs of book banning, the spread of hate speech and disinformation on a scale Orwell never imagined, thanks to the Internet and its exploitation by scammers, criminals, and dictators abroad as well as would-be dictators at home. We can learn the critical importance of educating ourselves and our children about our nation’s history, all of it not just the “bleached” parts, and as a part of that, also learning about our Constitution and the different branches of government that are supposed to be checks and balances upon the exercise of power. Orwell also provides a very helpful “history” of the economic underpinnings of Oceania and its endless wars, while Newman shows us that even the “good guys” can turn into Big Brother when they borrow his extremist tactics.

In 1989, James Clavell wrote a book titled The Children's Story, a chilling tale of what could happen in twenty-five minutes to form thoughts children will believe about such things as mentioned above such as 9/11 and the Holocaust. 25 minutes.

I had a memory of not liking Orwell's 1984 but had forgotten why so I re-read it alongside Newman's Julia. It is as if we are living it right now! Media is truly telling us what to think. Books are being banned.

What we can learn from 1984 is be vigilant, keep questioning authority, keep reading, and remembering!

- There are so many take aways from both of these books. While I agree with the posts which note the need to stay vigilant, I think of vigilance as maintaining awareness, but not actively doing anything with that awareness. One of the take aways for me is that it is important to be active in negating false information, because failure to do so makes it easier for false information to appear true and real.
A second take away is that relationships are important if we are to have a chance at eradicating false stories/lies. It is difficult to have a conversation with someone when there is a wall of distrust, mistrust and fear. The Party really had a very strong process using the four Ministries that made many of Oceania’s citizens live in fear and ignorance.

Jill, By vigilant I did not mean passive. Vigilant means watchful, in a defensive sense, maintaining readiness for action. I agree: We need to be prepared to step up and speak out to combat falsehood and prejudice. But always, I would add, speaking with civility and the facts, not sinking to the level of offensive speech we respond to—whether in conversation or in public speech. I have found it useful to ask, “Why do you say that?” and listen first, then reply with specifics and empathy, if possible, making “I” statements (“I feel otherwise because…”not “You’re wrong because…”).

Just planting the seed that maybe there is much more to the subject, that no one has a corner on the truth, but everyone deserves respect, is a step towards relationship-building across the divide. I agree that is essential. I have had a lot of practice in dialogue with people across major differences, as a (retired) teacher, journalist and now at my local senior center. And a lot more success than back in the 60s and 70s when I would let my passion get the better of me. Nobody listens if they feel they are being scolded, put down.

Thanks for your post!

We can learn that our leaders don't always tell us the truth, sometimes they tell us what they want us to know. We can also learn that asking questions is a good thing, searching for answers is a good thing. We don't have to accept something as fact just because someone says it. And individuality is not necessarily a bad thing.

This was a fascinating discussion! I share the belief that vigilance is of paramount importance, especially these days. Reading a book like Julia or 1984 is a stark reminder of how precarious democracy can be if we are not vigilant about who is in charge of preserving the very freedoms we hope to protect.

An excellent book club discussion! I've enjoyed all the myriad points of view on Julia (and 1984), and it's never been a more relevant time than now to read BOTH. Reflecting on how easily those in power can shape "groupthink," works like these are a stark warning to guard one's mind and protect that which no one can steal: our ability to think.