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
Our July 15 "hike" is going to be a kayaking adventure on Bde Maka Ska (formerly Lake Calhoun) and Lake of the Isles! If you don't have a kayak (or paddleboard), Wheel Fun Rentals, located next to the new concession stand rents single kayaks at $15 an hour and double kayaks at $25. The second hour is free if we rent before noon. Life jackets are provided with the rental.
Laura Ericksen will lead the discussion of How Stella Learned to Talk by Christina Hunger, a true story by a speech-language pathologist who taught her dog, Stella, to communicate using buttons associated with different words.
Our August 5 hike will be a reprise of our hike last summer at William O'Brien State Park. This is a beautiful park with a winding trail and a great view of the countryside. The hike is about 5.5 to 6 miles and we'll go at a moderate pace with frequent water breaks. After the hike, we will eat lunch at Rustic Roots Winery, a half mile north of the park.
Kathy Cramer will lead the discussion of The Bookbinder by Pip Williams, a book set in 1914 Oxford chronicling the life of Peggy who works in the University bindery, but craves a life beyond binding books but to being a scholar herself.
Enjoy a two-hour cruise on the Jonathan Padelford, leaving from the Harriet Island dock in St. Paul, boarding time at 5:30 p.m. We will have a brief program on board by Patrick Nunnally from the River Life Program of the Institute on the Environment.
August 31 is the due date for annual reports and updates. Annual Reports, Toolkits, web page updates, operating document updates and archives collections are all due each year on this date.
Autumn is a wonderful season in Minnesota so plan to join UMRA at the Andersen Horticultural Library at the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum. Kristen Mastel, head librarian and curator, will reveal its treasure trove of publications and artifacts relating to plant history, horticulture, and natural history. After the tour, those who are interested may stay to eat lunch together, sitting outside if the weather is nice. Later, you are invited to a one-hour tram tour of the entire Arboretum that includes natural areas of flowering shrubs, bogs, and forests, family garden and landscaping showpieces, and the red barn farm
After a summer break the UMRA Photo Club will next meet September 10, 2024 in the meeting room of the Hennepin County St. Anthony Branch Library. For those interested in lunch, meet at the Great Dragon at 11:30 am. For September the THEME will be Curves
We will continue to discuss the pros and cons of Medicare Advantage. You will also hear about notable non-health plan and non-broker resources.