41
Page 10 - The Michigan Daily - Friday, June 15, 1984
Books
The Future of
Nineteen Eighty-Four
Edited by Ejner J. Jensen
University of Michigan Press,
209 pgs.
A S WE ALL know the year 1984 is
finally upon us. People are buying
the novel 1984 as if in fear of Big:
Brother's becoming our next president.
Sales have already passed the million
mark, and demand for the book con-
tinues to exceed supply.
The bookrush has good reason.
George Orwell's novel shines brilliantly
from many angles. Yet readers tend to
see it only from one perspective. They
look on the complex novel as a
prophecy or some sort of astrological
prediction that Orwell made before
most of us were born.
Don't look over your shoulder for a
telescreen just yet. 1984 is a partly
fulfilled prophecy, but it is much more,
too. Last year, several university
professors and other noted scholars
discussed various aspects of the novel's
richness at a conference held here in
Ann Arbor.
The papers presented gave way to a
book of essays entitled The Future of
Nineteen Eighty-Four. This collection
is a major scholarly work on what may
well be called the book of the decade.
The Future of Nineteen Eighty-Four in-
cludes eleven essays written by
specialists in fields such as English,
political science, law, and psychology.
Language fascinated Orwell. In the
essay "George Orwell and the English
Language," Richard Bailey, a linguist,
offers insight into Orwell's linguistic
contemplations. For instance, Bailey
related Orwell's acute sensitivity to
class differences in speech.
Bas andClubsoothing music derived from the
Bars and C straditional musics of many lands. Will
The Blind Pig-Friday night it's Vukin plays the guitar, dulcimer and
Ann Arbor's favorite, Steve Nar- flute, and Laurel Emrys plays a
della's Rock 'n' Roll Trio. Saturday variety of Celtic traditional in-
catches Mary Martin, Tune recording struments. The show begins Satur-
days at 8 p.m. at the Friends Meeting
House (1420 Hill St.) Tickets are $4 in
advance and available at Earth
Wisdom Bookstore, or for the same
e is price at the door. For more infor-
mation call 665-5579.
Newspeak-English in its most com-
pact, skeletal form-is the official
language which the leaders of Oceania
promote. "In Newspeak," writes
Bailey, "it is impossible to tell the
truth." Reading his essay brings to
mind the emerging computer
languages (Orwell would have a hey-
day here) with the bare vocabularies of
twenty words or so.
Another area that intrigued and
disturbed Orwell was the exercise of
power. George Beauchamp elaborates
on Orwell's perception of power as a
dangerous, addictive drug. Beauchamp
writes that Orwell's novel describes. "a
scenario where brute power provides
the only social bond."
That scenario is not so far from our
world. Beauchamp points out that, to
Orwell, sadistic desires evident in
power politics, "are commonplace and
found all around us." The intellectual,
Orwell notes, is especially anxious to
"'get his hands on the whip."
All due praise aside, the
essayists recognize Orwell's
shortcomings as a writer. Leslie Ten-
tler gives an outstanding analysis of
women and the family in Orwell's work.
Orwell assumes "that women are
essentially creatures of instinct and
emotion rather than intellect." Tentler
shows that Orwell's female characters
resemble the character Julia, who
describes herself as "a rebel from the
waist downwards."
Besides essays by professors of law
and psychology, one of the most unique
essays is by Eugene McCarthy. The
former U.S. senator from Minnesota
gives a politicians' view of how our
world reflects Orwell's fiction.
McCarthy cites numerous examples
of what he calls "the language of
nonresponsibility" utilized by many
evasive politicians. He points to
Kissinger, who admits the inability for
anyone to define "strategic
superiority" but asserts the need to in-
crease defense spending. McCarthy of-
fers insight into many dark Orwellian
trends in society. Among these trends
are the growing monster of media, cor-
porate involvement in military
technology, and corporate control of
foreign policy.
Despite its commercial success, 1984
has a tragedy to it, as W. Warren
Wagar explains in his essay. Cold war
enthusiasts have been. spurred on by the
novel. Wagar says that, in the grimness
of Orwell's fiction, they find en-
couragement to promote better-dead-
than-red politics. Wagar writes that
Orwell has made it "easier for the
Western electorate to invest billions of
tax dollars in the arms race."
One of the strengths of this collection
lies in what one learns of Orwell's life,
his politics, his thinking, and his other
writings. The essayists draw from or-
well's biography, letters, journals,
essays, and other novels. Fans of 1984
will gain deeper respect and greater
appreciation for Orwell and his art.
Overall, the collection of writings
serves as an enlightening companion to
1984. The essays are fairly readable.
Sometimes the writers overlap in the
points they make and they often use the
same quotes. Then the quotes lose their
effect and the writers seem rather
repetitive. However, the repitition does
not significantly inhibit one's ap-
preciation of the essays and the novel.
The Future of Nineteen Eighty-
Four helps to bridge the gap between
fictitious Oceania and today's world.
Yet another gap remains to be bridged:
that between idle academic praise and
direct political action. The readers and
writers- of The Future of Nineteen
Eighty-Four should bear in mind this
quote from Orwell (as used in Bernard
Crick's essay): "The moral to be drawn
from the dangerous nightmare
situation is a simple one: Don't let it
happen. It depends on you. "
-Andy Weine
0
0
artist and blueswoman of great
renown.
Joe's Star Lounge-Friday night
it's New Adult, formerly the Motor
City Mutants. On Saturday night, get
in line with Rhythm Corps.
Rick's American Cafe-Open your
eyes to First Light, both Friday and
Saturday nights. First Light features
several former members of I-Tal.
Concerts
Steel Pulse-Prism productions
present one of the world's finest
reggae bands in concert in Ann Arbor.
Always one of the leading bands in
reggae, this tour's lineup is
strengthened by the addition of
Carlton Bryan, a former member of
the Wailers. Showtime is Saturday at
8 p.m. at the Michigan Theater.
Tickets are $7.50 and $10.00 and
available in advance from
Wherehouse Records, Hudson's and
all CTC outlets. For more information
call 668-8480.
Full Circle-This duet specializes in
Theater
One Flew Over the Cuckoo's
Nest-Performance Network presen-
ts their version of the Ken Kesey novel
and Dale Wasserman stage adap-
tation. Directed by Raymond Masters
this production stars Linda Rice, Jeff
Smith and Joe Meshigaud. Tickets are
$5 for the Sunday and Thursday shows
and $6 for the Firday and Saturday
shows. Showtime is 8 p.m. every night
except for Sunday which is 6:30. In
addition there is a $1 discount for
students and seniors. All shows are
held at the Performance Network on
408 W. Washington. For more infor-
mation call 663-0681.
The Trysting Place-Community
High School's Fine Arts Repertory
Company presents this version of
Booth Tarkington's 1920s comedy
about family life and love. Tickets are
$3 for the show, or $2 for students and
seniors. Showtime is 8 p.m. for
Friday, Saturday and Sunday night's
performances. All shows are at
Community High School's Craft
Theater (401 N. Division). For reser-
vations call 994-2021.
Spaghetti 'Godfather'
tells same old story
with same old ideas
(Continuedfrom Page8)
long-time collaborator 'Ennio
Morricone drowns the soundtrack with
an abrasively romantic, suffocating
score.
Supposedly, Leone's original cut was
an intricate, densely woven mosaic,
and may have added some impact to
proceedings. But looking at the
separate pieces, it seems unlikely his
version would have worked any better.
In fact he may be lucky in being able to
blame the film's failure on the studio,
and salvage his own credibility as an
auteur in the process.
Leone is a director who works better
with a small canvas and sparse palette.
His vision, overstretched and over
decorated here, is frustratingly empty
of anything but surface gloss.
USE DAILY CLASSIFIEDS
STUDENTS
INTERESTED IN EXTRA INCOME
Now setting up tours for
ALL SEASONS RESORTS
Contact
JENE CAMPBELL - 522-8405