George Orwell's 1984 with Dorian Lynskey: The re-emergence and influence of 1984

The transcript discusses the relevance of George Orwell's '1984' in the context of modern political events, particularly focusing on the concept of 'alternative facts' introduced during Trump's presidency. It explores Orwell's political awakening during the Spanish Civil War, highlighting his disillusionment with communism and the manipulation of truth. The discussion extends to Orwell's analysis of totalitarian regimes, comparing Soviet Communism and Nazism, and how these ideologies influenced his writing.

What event led to a significant increase in the sales of George Orwell's '1984'?

• Kellyanne Conway's use of the term 'alternative facts'

• The release of a new movie adaptation

• A new edition of the book was published

• A major book award was won by '1984'

What was Orwell's initial stance when he went to Spain during the Civil War?

• He was a pro-communist

• He was neutral and just wanted to write

• He supported General Franco

• He was anti-fascist but not pro-communist

What was Orwell's reaction to the lies spread by the Stalinist faction during the Spanish Civil War?

• He decided to join the Stalinist faction

• He was shocked and felt betrayed

• He was indifferent

• He supported the Stalinist faction

How did Orwell differentiate between Soviet communism and democratic socialism?

• He believed Soviet communism was superior

• He saw them as identical

• He made a clear distinction between the two

• He thought democratic socialism was a form of capitalism

What did Orwell conclude about Soviet Communism and Nazism?

• Nazism was a form of advanced capitalism

• They had a lot in common and were both totalitarian

• Soviet Communism was a form of democracy

• They were completely different systems