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(18,101 posts)Chan790
(20,176 posts)His pen name was George Orwell.
In_The_Wind
(72,300 posts)Chan790
(20,176 posts)I'm convinced if he were writing today, he'd be under constant surveillance as a suspected insurrectionist.
In_The_Wind
(72,300 posts)pink-o
(4,056 posts)It's the mos perfect social allegory I've ever read.
Dash87
(3,220 posts)The answer is right there!
He knew what was coming.
dimbear
(6,271 posts)Which is also still worth a read.
struggle4progress
(118,041 posts)Orwell's debt seems less clear to me
dimbear
(6,271 posts)Strange book, "We." Ought to appeal to your mathematical side.
struggle4progress
(118,041 posts)I may still have my copy of it in one of my dusty stacks of books
nomorenomore08
(13,324 posts)is always an interesting thing. In the sense that it's a strange mix of the futuristic and relatively primitive. Think H.G. Wells.
struggle4progress
(118,041 posts)Tuesday Afternoon
(56,912 posts)easychoice
(1,043 posts)frighteningly insightful for its time...
In North America, the Oligarchy maintains power for three centuries until the Revolution succeeds and ushers in the Brotherhood of Man. During the years of the novel, the First Revolt is described and preparations for the Second Revolt are discussed. From the perspective of Everhard, the imminent Second Revolt is sure to succeed but, from the distant future perspective of Meredith, we readers realize that Everhard's hopes were to be crushed for centuries to come.
The Oligarchy are the largest monopoly trusts (or robber barons) who manage to squeeze out the middle class by bankrupting most small to mid-sized business as well as reducing all farmers to effective serfdom. This Oligarchy maintains power through a "labor caste" and the Mercenaries. Labor in essential industries like steel and rail are elevated and given decent wages, housing, and education. Indeed, the tragic turn in the novel (and Jack London's core warning to his contemporaries) is the treachery of these favored unions which break with the other unions and side with the Oligarchy. Further, a second, military caste is formed: the Mercenaries. The Mercenaries are officially the army of the US but are in fact in the employ of the Oligarchs.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Iron_Heel
Tuesday Afternoon
(56,912 posts)did an essay in college on his short story: To Build A Fire
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/To_Build_a_Fire
earned a "A" for it.
sakabatou
(42,083 posts)Do it better. We can still make out the author's name.
LiberalEsto
(22,845 posts)Little known fact: She was extraordinarily prescient.