Why Did Orwell Choose the Title 1984?
George Orwell’s iconic dystopian novel, 1984, was written in 1948 and discusses a range of themes that are as relevant today as they were in post-war Britain. Exploring political control, increased surveillance and the erosion of individual freedoms, it has resonated with readers for decades. But why did Orwell choose this particular title? The truth is, no-one actually knows - but there are several theories. Let’s take a look at some of them.
Theory 1 - A Warning of What Could Happen in the Near Future
One possible reason for why Orwell chose the title 1984 is that he simply reversed the numbers of the year in which he wrote the book - 1948. At the time of publication, Orwell’s American publisher made this claim, but it has since been called into question.
For context, Orwell was deeply political and witnessed a number of totalitarian regimes such as the Stalinist Soviet Union, Franco’s regime in Spain, and Nazi Germany. It’s possible that he wanted to emphasise the potential dangers of ideological control and overzealous monitoring - by both left and right-wing parties. It’s possible that Orwell chose ‘1984’ to suggest that a repressive future may not be far off if society did not learn from the events of the Spanish Civil War and Second World War. Essentially, it’s believed that Orwell wanted to create a time frame that invited readers to think about what could possibly happen if recent trends went unchecked, resulting in extremes of power, manipulation and loss of independent identity.
Why not check out the 1984 theatre production at London’s Hackney Town Hall to find out more about Orwell’s world?
Theory 2 - Literary references
It has been suggested by others that 1984 is named in reference to either Jack London’s novel The Iron Heel, in which a political movement comes to power in 1984, or G K Chesterton’s story, ‘The Napoleon of Notting Hill’, which is also set in 1984. Chesterton was one of Orwell’s favourite writers, and ‘The Napoleon of Notting Hill’ was a politically charged satire, so it’s possible that 1984 is a nod to his work.
Theory 3 - The Fabian Society
A third theory is that George Orwell titled 1984 in homage to the founding of the Fabian Society, which was established in 1884. This political think-tank advocated for non-violent political change and, to this day, develops left-wing political ideas and public policy. As a democratic socialist, Orwell engaged with the society’s ideas and it’s possible the novel’s title was his way of acknowledging their work.
The relevance of 1984 is still being felt today, as evidenced by the recent theatre productions that tell the story on stage. Londoners can Google ‘theatres near me’ to find out more about Jack Reardon’s reimagining of 1984. Running until 22 December 2024, the show is immersive and interactive, giving audiences a new way to explore the themes of the novel. Book your ticket to the play with KX Tickets today.
