Animal Farm was first published in England on 17 August 1945. It tells the story of a group of farm animals who rebel against their human farmer, hoping to create a society where the animals can be equal, free, and happy. Ultimately, the rebellion is betrayed, and the farm ends up in a state as bad as it was before, under the dictatorship of a pig named Napoleon.
1984 was published on 8 June 1949. it centres on the consequences of totalitarianism, mass surveillance and repressive regimentation of people and behaviours within society. More broadly, it examines the role of truth and facts within politics and the ways in which they are manipulated.
For a later development of key Orwellian themes see Robert Lifton’s Thought Reform and the Psychology of Totalism (1961) where he sets out 8 criteria relevant to establishing a ‘cult’, including domination through ‘thought-terminating cliches’. Brad Sargent’s summary
