Book Notes on September Book Club Meeting
George Orwell’s 1984
At our September book club meeting, we had a lively discussion about George Orwell’s dystopian novel 1984. Some people found the book so depressing, they watched the movie to help them get through it.
The book is set in “future” London when “Big Brother,” via telescreens, can see and hear everything that’s said and done. Even thoughts are monitored. Vocabulary is being eliminated so that peoples’ thoughts can’t be expressed. History is rewritten and past history is destroyed. “He who owns the present, owns the past.” Life is grim; everyone in the party is controlled. The “proles,” or common people, have a bit more freedom, but are expendable and considered too ignorant to protest.
Discussion
Our book group was divided as to whether or not our country and society are going the way of the novel. Those who found the book a reflection of our time noted the overwhelming presence of computers in our daily lives. If we look something up on the computer, we start getting messages about that product or topic, or ads that lead us to buy similar products. Some had the feeling that Big Brother is watching us through computers. The new iPhone even has facial recognition. The question was asked, “What are we missing by looking at our cell phones all the time?”
In 1984, language was under control of “Big Brother” so that thoughts couldn’t be expressed. An example of this in our past was the government-run Native American boarding schools that insisted students learn English and not use their native language. Another is the seeming universality of the English language around the world because most information on the Internet is written in English. This strips people of their native tongue and along with it, their culture.
In the book, war is a constant, but who is being fought always changes (and in the process, previous wars are deleted). The object of war is always to be in a better position in which to wage another war. War eats up any surplus that might go to the people and profits go to the party of Big Brother.
Those who did not feel that our country was going the way of 1984 noted that there are the people fighting against all the problems explored in the book. We are the proles. We have scientists and educated people who are trying to overcome the dangers of our society becoming like the one in 1984.
-Beth Bedell
Book Club will discuss George Orwell's 1984
Fri, Sep 15 2017, 2pm
George Orwell’s 1984 is the selection for discussion at the September 15 Book Club. Beth Bedell will lead the discussion. Note: this is a change from previously listed book selections.
The Book Club meets at 2 p.m. on the third Friday of every month, except December. The meeting location is the 1666 Coffman building, which is on Larpenteur Avenue near the St. Paul Campus.
Our October book is H is for Hawk, a memoir by Helen MacDonald, with discussion led by Stephanie Dailey.
In November Bright Donblaser will lead the discussion of Hillbilly Elegy by J.D.Vance. And in November we will select our books for the coming year.
The club has been meeting regularly since March 2011. We are eclectic readers of both fiction and nonfiction, and our books are from all time periods. We invite new participants. For more information contact Pat Tollefson ([email protected]).
Upcoming Events
If you currently live in your own home or apartment, have you looked ahead to when you might want to consider a senior living option? Do you have any idea what those options might be? How much they cost? What they provide? UMRA’s May 14 workshop will provide an overview of the world of senior living and the basic information you need.
You’re invited to join the final Family History Interest Group meeting for 2023–24. This will be an opportunity to ask questions related to family history, share insights, talk about recent projects, and suggest topics for next year.
Stephanie Daily will lead the discussion of Fuzz: When Nature Breaks the Law by best-selling author Mary Roach when the UMRA Book Club meets via Zoom at 2 p.m. on Friday, May 17.
The May 20 hike will start at the Historic Lift Bridge in Stillwater and go along the river to the new bridge, cross over and then back on the Wisconsin side, a total of approximately 5 miles. Most of the route is paved. We will eat lunch after at Brian's Bar and Grill in Stillwater. Car pooling will be available.
Climatologist and meteorologist Mark Seeley joined the U of M faculty in 1978 and has been a weekly commentator on Minnesota Public Radio since 1992. We are honored to welcome him as our guest speaker for UMRA’s May Luncheon Forum and 2024 Annual Meeting. He is always entertaining and informative.
UMRA’s Fourth Friday Book Club welcomes back, for the second time, author Julie Schumacher, U of M Regents professor of creative writing and English, for a conversation about her novel The Shakespeare Requirement.
We are in for a treat on June 3! Lynn Anderson, will lead us on trails at two parks near her Monticello home. Bring a bag lunch and we will gather in Lynn's yard along the Mississippi River for eating and socializing after the hike.
Get out to the ballpark with fellow UMRA members for the annual U of M Day at Target Field as the Minnesota Twins take on the Oakland Athletics on June 14 at 7:10 p.m.
Please join us at 9:30 on June 17, 2024 for a walk around Lake Como in St. Paul before attending the UMRA Summer Social and Picnic starting at 11 at the Como Pavilion. A perfect opportunity to get in a walk before we gather to celebrate summer.
Picnic under the covered, open-air Como pavilion, gaze at the water, spy some birds, catch up with friends and former colleagues, and meet new members. We’ll have lunch with plenty of time for visiting and then compete in teams as we are challenged by our Quiz master(s)!
Healthy aging, mindfulness, fighting ageism, and more will be the focus of the third annual Age-Friendly University Day to be held on the U of M Twin Cities campus.