House Democrats blast Alex Acosta: ‘Defiant and evasive'

Published in 1949, '1984' is a cautionary tale by George Orwell that explores the dangers of totalitarianism. The novel is set in a dystopian future where the world is divided into three super-states, with the protagonist Winston Smith living in Oceania, ruled by the mysterious and omnipotent leader Big Brother. Winston works at the Ministry of Truth, where he rewrites historical records to conform to the Party's ever-changing narrative. He begins an illicit love affair with Julia and starts to rebel against the Party, but they are eventually caught and subjected to brutal torture and indoctrination. The novel highlights themes of government surveillance, manipulation of language and history, and the suppression of individual freedom and independent thought.

In a post-apocalyptic Chicago, society is divided into five factions: Abnegation (selflessness), Amity (peacefulness), Candor (honesty), Dauntless (bravery), and Erudite (intelligence). The story revolves around Beatrice 'Tris' Prior, who leaves her Abnegation family to join the Dauntless faction. Tris's aptitude test results are inconclusive, marking her as Divergent, a secret she must keep hidden. As she undergoes the rigorous initiation process of Dauntless, Tris faces physical and emotional challenges, including simulations that test her courage and wits. She also develops a romantic relationship with her instructor, Four (Tobias), who is also Divergent. The novel explores themes of identity, selflessness, bravery, and the complexities of a rigid societal structure, culminating in a climax where Tris and Tobias must stop a mindless uprising against Abnegation orchestrated by the Erudite faction.