We now turn our
attention to the third installment of my reflections on George Orwell’s
dystopian novel 1984. Within this disturbing
book, Orwell explores a “theoretical” world, which – as I have argued before –
uncannily resembles today’s America. My purpose in this is to make people
realize the grave dangers that threaten the U.S. Constitution – especially the
individual freedoms we all enjoy.
The slogan I am
reviewing is found early in the novel, the third of three startling memes: “Ignorance
Is Strength.” Of course, as my readers will remember, each slogan is a twisted
attempt to confuse and control the people of fictional Oceania. In my second
installment, I linked the slogan “Freedom Is Slavery” to the sad, anti-truth
DNC Convention. In this installment, I will link the “Ignorance Is Strength” to
the absolutely absurd reasoning of the present rioters and looters. (I fear that
things will get worse, but I am not a prophet, and cannot speak beyond today’s
news stories.)
Normally, the
term ignorance goes beyond mere
absence of knowledge. It also implies lack of ability to act in a wise or responsible fashion. For instance, we do not allow
a youngster who has not attended college or medical school to conduct surgery
or to open a medical clinic. We do not allow a teenager under a certain age to
operate either a car or heavy equipment. In civilized communities, rules are based
on common sense and wisdom; they reflect a certain reliance on a sense of
morality.
As I have said
before, the word is represents a
direct correlation between the subject and the direct object (OK, I know that I
should call it “predicate nominative,” but this is not my educational blog: https://educationblogtoadegree.blogspot.com
.) In theory, the verb signifies an “equal sign” between two abstract nouns.
But even a high schooler would say, “Wait a minute! As a student, I know the difference between “ignorance” and “strength.”
They are not the same!”
Exactly.
So why did
Orwell incorporate this slogan into his novel?
It couldn’t be
because he wanted to confuse his readers. From the beginning of this novel,
Orwell crafts a compelling (though depressing) narrative, as seen through the
eyes of his main character, Winston Smith. As the reader learns more and more
about Winston, the reader realizes that, far from enjoying the life afforded him
by the Party, Winston dreads his job, dreads the activities he is forced to
participate in, and dreads the day-to-day limitations on his mental freedom. This
dread is not related to “ignorance”; it is related to the knowledge and truth that Winston has. However, there are
very few instances where Winston can act
on that knowledge – and, at the end of that novel, the reader is gut-punched
with the results of the torture and brainwashing Winston has endured. He is the
“walking dead,” waiting for his inevitable “disappearance” (read: “death”).
Orwell wanted
to shock his readers; he wanted them to wake up to things he knew were happening on the planet –
especially in Russia and China. Prior to the publication of 1984, millions had suffered torture,
brainwashing, and death in these communist countries. The actions in the novel
were completely copied from the
atrocities that the Communist Parties were enacting, both prior to and during
WWII. In present-day America, cities are being torched, businesses are being
shut down (many permanently), and innocent people are being threatened, harmed,
and even killed through riots and looting. Compare the fictional state of
London in 1984 to the factual state
of Portland, Oregon; Seattle, Washington; and Kenosha, Wisconsin. Would anyone
reading this want to live in these places?
Would anyone reading this want to
give up their jobs to mob violence? Would anyone reading this want to be controlled body, soul,
and spirit by a force bent on your ultimate destruction as a free individual?
“Ignorance Is
Strength.” The only ignorance Orwell means is that of the Minion Masses. The
only strength Orwell means is the strength of corrupt, power-hungry elitists
who primarily want wealth and comfort above all else.
All of the
ideals revealed above are anti-Christian. Now contrast what I’ve just said with
the following teaching of Jesus Christ:
Matthew 5: 1 –2 ~ Now when Jesus saw the
crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, and
he began to teach them. He said:
Blessed are the poor in spirit, for
theirs is the kingdom of heaven. (Ever read of a protestor who was “poor”
– i.e., “humble” – enough to repent?)
Blessed are those who mourn, for they
will be comforted. (What are the protestors’ reactions to all the people they’ve
hurt and killed?)
Blessed are the meek, for they will
inherit the earth. (Ever hear of a rioter who passed up a chance to grab loot?)
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst
for righteousness, for they will be filled. (I’ve heard rioters and looters scream
for “justice,” but never for “righteousness.”)
Blessed are the merciful, for they will
be shown mercy. (How “merciful” are the thugs who beat their victims senseless
for trying to stop their wanton destruction?)
Blessed are the pure in heart, for they
will see God. (How
pure is “pure”? It sure is a good question!)
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they
will be called children of God. (Nope – I don’t think the protestors
qualify for this title. For one thing, they blaspheme God continually.)
Blessed are those who are persecuted
because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. (These criminals want a “kingdom”
– but as Seattle residents soon discovered, it will not be a good place to live
in!)
Blessed are you when people insult you,
persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me.
Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven,
for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you. (Are these people the
insulters? The persecutors? The spouters of evil testimony?)
Jesus
knew that believers and those who fear God would be pushed to the brink of
despair by the power of evil. He offered His followers the Power of God, and millions
down the centuries have tested His Word and found refuge and comfort.
Please
let the words of the Jesus Christ sink in – now, and in the future (if or when
you are tempted to agree with all the 1984-style
violence and mayhem presently passing as “protesting”). Jesus was not a
protestor of evil; He was the Prince of Peace. All answers begin with Him.
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