George Orwell’s mind-boggling novel 1984 has been produced as a play, currently running at the Hudson Theatre in NYC. At the suggestion of a friend, I saw it, and was surprised by the degree of violence I’d never witnessed on the stage before.
I asked myself why stage 1984 now? Published in 1949, Orwell’s novel was based on his experience of the totalitarianism. George Orwell fought against Spanish dictator Franco in 1937, and ten years, later wrote, “Every line of serious work that I have written since 1936 has been written, directly or indirectly, against totalitarianism and for democratic socialism, as I know it.”
Orwell’s writing has become frighteningly relevant in 2017.
Donald Trump’s presidency, which at first appeared chaotic, when compared with other examples of authoritarianism, assumes a kind of order. Robert Reich, a Berkeley professor and the author of Saving Capitalism for the Many, not the Few, said, “Viewed through the lens of authoritarianism, Trump’s approach to governing is logical and coherent.”
Authoritarianism is a form of governing that values control over personal freedom, and seeks to concentrate power in the hands of a single “strongman.” Trump assails those who disagree with him. He doesn’t follow the rules that he dislikes and seeks to intimidate and discredit the press.
In Orwell’s novel, the pleasure of exercising power is emphasized in the relationship of Winston with his torturer, O’Brien. The Inner Party to which O’Brien belongs worships power for its own sake, and uses what it calls “reality control” to eliminate “objective” truth, and subjugate the citizens.
We have experienced how Trump and his team bend the truth to suit their goals and promulgate the term “fake news” to discredit facts (e.g., global warming and the need to protect the environment, among many other instances).
Many of us are shocked by the loss of democracy.
Families are split in a way we haven’t experienced before—accompanied by feelings of loss, sadness and isolation. We’ve witnessed the increasing numbers of hate crimes throughout the country spurred on by anger and rage inspired by Trump’s words and actions.
We ask, how long we will have to cope with this alien regime? Where will it lead? How long it will last? What will be the consequences?
We respond in various ways. Faced with fear, some of us have dreams or nightmares of being overtaken by a strong force.
To rationalize our bad behaviors we cite the president. “If the president can do such-and-such why can’t I.....”
(In my blog of May 29, I’ve confessed how I rationalize my less-than-ideal behavior to use clichés.)
Here are some of the positive ways people are coping:
Mr. G. finds relief in tweeting about his disapproval of the president and his policies.
Ms. A. has confidence that the smart politicians in our country will remedy the situation soon and restore a democratic government.
Ms. K. focuses on the positive: In spite of her disdain for Trump, her portfolio of stocks is rising.
Ms. W. has a group of like-minded people with whom she can share her fears.
Mr. L. realized that he had to limit his exposure to the daily news after he became too upset to carry on his daily routine.
Mr. W. reads works of writers and thinkers who analyze the news and remain hopeful that the democratic underpinnings of our nation will triumph, and that order as we’ve it in the past will be restored.
Ms. T. focuses on the reporters who remind us of the bright side—that our Constitution was created with checks and balances to assure the separation of powers and prevent authoritarianism.
Conclusion: We do well to acknowledge the reality of our troubled time, to face our fears and resist paralysis. We can turn to avenues that give us confidence and faith that democracy will prevail.