Mysteries and Adventures....why are they so intriguing?

Some will probably disagree with me, but I think there must be something instinctual -- as well as intellectual -- that keeps humans asking the questions --  "why?"  "how did that happen?" and  "who done it?" 

Even when a person only has a tacit understanding of why the question must be answered, a great deal of energy and effort is put forth to find the answer.   In fact, we have a love of the "final answer" (Regis, "Who Wants To Be A Millionaire?")   Human beings have a desire to know things.  

This is why I think the mystery and adventure genres are so appealing to a wide range of readers.  Individuals may prefer certain types of works (i.e., more murder mystery/less buried treasure), but many readers love to be challenged to find the answers and to search for clues when reading.  

In this way, I wish there were more mystery stories and adventure stories available for young children -- particularly mysteries.   I do think because of the Harry Potter phenomena there has been great gains made in this area and new series are coming out for Intermediate level readers, but they still seem hard to find -- especially if they are also going to stand up to Jago's criteria.  

Are We Being Controlled Today?

In 1984, the citizens did not vote for their leaders; the citizens could not date; people were encouraged to spy on each other and to point out those who acted suspicious, non-conforming, or non-plussed by the rallies, speeches, telecasts, and celebrations put on by the government.   The government had access into the homes of the individuals and could see every move one makes.

In MY world, citizens can vote for their leaders, but they often don't.
Citizens who are heterosexual are legally allowed to date and to wed, but not those who are homosexual.
People are not encouraged to spy on each other.
People are encouraged, but not required to participate in the a party.
The government does not have direct or "live" access into the homes of individuals, but they can "track" us through all of our electronic transactions, etc.

In both worlds:  Fear has been used to control actions.  Laws must be followed or punishment is warranted.  

If I was to answer the question, why I think the author chose to write this novel, I would say that Orwell wrote it as a cautionary tale and to demonize communism.  He wants his readers to see that too much government control is deadly to the human spirit and to any effort towards "progress" or "innovation" or "free thinking society."     Big Brother's mantra is WAR is PEACE FREEDOM is SLAVERY IGNORANCE is STRENGTH.   This is the OPPOSITE of everything Orwell believed to be necessary to live. 

"Sanity is not Statistical"

In our class on-line discussion, Heather asked us about what themes or "connotations"  1984 and Hunger Games evoke.  I certainly would say that 1984 is a cautionary tale of what can happen if people don't stand together and rebel against such types of thought/social control and Hunger Games has a similar message but is more optimistic in that it asserts an individual's commitment to her own ideas and ways of being are sufficient for starting a revolution.

I wanted to title this post with the quote from 1984, because I think it simply denotes the theme that what makes the human mind unique IS its ability to be unpredictable.

I Get It, Even Though It's Killing Me

I was talking with my husband this morning about 1984 and as I was explaining to him why I find this book so challenging, I realized that the brilliance of this book is that Orwell -- with his paragraphs upon paragraphs of detailing the menial tasks and the routines that Winston has to follow on a day to day minute to minute basis -- literally drowns the reader's anticipation that anything is going to happen.   And so, even when there is the slightest change in the scenery -- and introduction of a new character, a new task at work -- it recommits the reader's(my) interests.

I find myself each time thinking, OKAY!  NOW something is going to HAPPEN!  SOMETHING is going to take place that is going to start things a'changing.  But each time, I am left down.   And then more depressed and feeling more oppressed as ever by the weight of this book -- knowing that I still have over 150+ pages to go.   Like I said in my subject line for this post:   I GET IT NOW!  Even though it's killing me to keep reading....  

One passage/exchange I did love that I read, recently was the lunch Winston had with his friend-enemy Smythe (sp?).  Mr. S is working on the 11th edition of the Newspeak Dictionary and I just found it so fascinating how zealous he was in his effort to complete the work and "destroy all words" that would not be needed now or in 2050.  

Given that I am reading this book in 2011, I think it is fascinating that these characters (this government system) believes so completely that they are in control of all things that no new ideas, thoughts, or inventions will take place in the next 70 years.  

As a literacy specialist, and as one who holds the view that literacy is "deitic" (Leu, 2000), I find this idea of controlling thought and language indefinitely, fantastical (truly a fantasy/), and a model example of hubris.