1985

By Anthony Burgess, 1978

«Muscles as tough as leather,

Hearts proofed against the weather,

Marching in friendly tether,

Cradle to grave,

Scorn we a heaven hereafter –

Build it with love and laughter

Here, firm from floor to rafter –

Tucland the brave »

Anthem of the Workers

Looking at the big ills of his time, the author imagines a dystopia, set in his own city, London, seven years in the future. In 1985, the country is thouroughly dominated by trade unions whose regular strikes lead to anarchy. The history teacher Bev mourns his wife as a consequence of this chaos, while falling in illegality for not abiding by the new order.

A good and precise remake of 1984, and also good witness of the 1970s crisis in England. Thus, I recommand it for those who like Orwell or are interested in contemporary British history.

1. The first part is actually a critic of « 1984 », putting several elements in context. For example, he shows that the living conditions depicted in the novel were common for the period, having experienced himself these difficult times. Back then, people were acquainted with sort of telescreen or propagandas, making 1984 less frightening than we could imagine. He even boldly affirm that the whole book is a comedy, not describing any future but only the present.
   

2. The second part is a satirical remake of Orwell. He attacks chiefly the political ills of his time. Witnessing the growing power of the trade unions, Britain becomes the dystopic « Tucland » (TUC standing for Trades Union Congress). In addition to politics, he denounces the violence and shocking vulgarity of the 1970s TV: in the novel, children love watching « Sky Rape » for instance. The culture has been so much levelled that the « Worker English » becomes the new standard, alluding to the Orwellian Newspeak in this way.
   

3. In my opinion, the essay and the novel were both brilliant and made me want to read Burgess's other works. I really liked the way he adapted 1984 and almost every elements: the telescreen becoming a 1970s TV in his words. I did not notice every allusions as there were still a lot of them. Although I admit it was Burgess's typical style, the irony was sometimes too much for me. Indeed I did not know whether I was allowed to laugh when it came to a thug speaking Latin but as cruel as in our times. I was finally a bit disappointed that his prediction had proved false, thinking about Thatcher's repression of he trade unions. Brilliant though!

Medicis