Democracy in Our Time: A Community Discussion of Orwell’s 1984

Democracy In Our Time is a monthly discussion series that explores timely topics related to democracy, freedom, and civic life through books, ideas, film screenings, and speakers. At our February gathering, we will discuss George Orwell’s classic novel 1984 and its lasting relevance in today’s world. First published in 1949, 1984 introduced concepts such as Big Brother, Newspeak, Doublethink, and the Thought Police, ideas that have since become part of our everyday language and our shared understanding of power and control. Orwell’s dystopian vision follows Winston Smith and Julia, two ordinary people whose desire for truth, love, and independent thought becomes an act of rebellion in a society defined by constant surveillance, historical manipulation, and totalitarian rule. As we explore the novel together, we will consider how Orwell’s warnings about censorship, propaganda, and the erosion of truth continue to resonate, and what they can teach us about protecting democratic values today. Copies of the book are available at the first-floor information desk and on our Libby app.