Nineteen Eighty-Four

In this episode of "In Our Time," Melvyn Bragg leads a discussion with David Dwan, Lisa Mullen, and John Bowen about George Orwell's novel *Nineteen Eighty-Four*. The panel explores the dystopian setting of the novel, its roots in Orwell's life and political views, particularly his experiences in the Spanish Civil War and his democratic socialist beliefs. They delve into the character of Winston Smith, the themes of totalitarianism, the manipulation of truth and language, the role of the proles, and the concepts of hope and false hope. The discussion also touches on the novel's influences, its continued relevance, and the aesthetic and psychological elements within the narrative.