What do a dystopian surveillance state and a farm full of rebelling animals have in common? They both originate from the mind of George Orwell, one of the most influential writers of the 20th century. Orwell’s works, including 1984 and Animal Farm, have withstood the test of time, earning a permanent place in pop culture, political discourse, and high school reading lists. But why do stories he wrote decades ago still feel so relevant today?

Orwell’s genius stemmed from his ability to analyze society, see where it was headed, and creatively warn us of its dangers. From surveillance and propaganda to the abuse of power, his stories present a stark—but often uncomfortably recognizable—mirror of the issues we face today. Whether it’s the rise of authoritative governments, digital privacy concerns, or the manipulation of facts, Orwell’s works remain powerful reminders of why vigilance and critical thinking are more important than ever.

Get ready to explore how Orwell’s iconic works are as relevant in our century as they were in his time.

1984: A Warning We Can’t Ignore

Imagine a world where you’re constantly watched, your thoughts are controlled, and history is rewritten every day. That’s the grim setting of 1984, Orwell’s famous dystopian novel. What makes it so chilling is how closely it resembles real-world concerns we face today.

1. Big Brother and Modern Surveillance

“Big Brother is watching you” is probably the most famous line from 1984, and it captures the idea of being under constant surveillance. While Orwell’s vision included telescreens in every home, our modern world has surveillance tools that would’ve made even Orwell shiver. Social media, smartphones, and data tracking give companies and governments access to an unprecedented amount of information about our personal lives.

From controversies about government surveillance programs like PRISM to the way tech giants monitor user behavior, Orwell’s warnings about privacy are now everyone’s reality. The question 1984 leaves us with is clear: How much freedom are we willing to trade for convenience or safety?

2. The Power of Propaganda

Orwell coined the term “doublethink” in 1984, describing the ability to accept two contradictory ideas as true at the same time. This concept plays out in our modern world whenever propaganda blurs the lines between truth and lies. Misinformation spreads like wildfire on social media, creating echo chambers where people reinforce their own views rather than seeking the truth.

Think about headlines that are deliberately misleading or the concept of “fake news.” Like Orwell warned, the manipulation of truth is a powerful weapon in controlling thoughts and opinions.

3. Erasing or Rewriting History

1984 also explores the rewriting of history as a tool of control. The ruling Party in Orwell's story literally changes records and destroys evidence of the past to fit their narratives. While this might seem extreme, similar things happen today, though often more subtly. Debates over history books, historical monuments, and political spin show how interpretations of the past are edited to serve specific agendas. Orwell’s warnings stand as a reminder to question and investigate, not simply accept what we’re told.

Animal Farm: A Political Allegory

Orwell’s Animal Farm is a short, seemingly simple story about animals who overthrow their human farmer to build a fairer society. However, the book is an allegory for how power corrupts leaders, and it offers valuable lessons that apply to politics today.

1. Power and Corruption

The famous line “All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others” highlights how even revolutions promising fairness can lead to new forms of inequality. Leaders who claim to speak for the people can end up prioritizing their own interests. Animal Farm’s pigs, who start as liberators of the farm but end as tyrants, reflect a cycle we’ve seen throughout history and continue to see today.

Whether it’s corporate leaders prioritizing profits over workers or politicians bending rules in their favor, Orwell’s lessons about the dangers of unchecked power remain strikingly relevant.

2. Scapegoats and Distractions

One of the pigs’ tactics in Animal Farm is using a scapegoat to distract the other animals from their grievances. Whenever things go wrong, the exiled Snowball (another pig) is blamed, keeping the animals focused on an external “enemy” rather than the real problems. This mirrors how some governments or leaders throughout history and today create scapegoats to divert attention, often targeting specific groups or individuals to rally support.

3. The Role of Education

An overarching theme in Animal Farm is the importance of education. The pigs maintain control partly because they’re the only ones who can read, while the other animals remain uninformed. Even in modern contexts, knowledge is one of the most powerful tools, and the lack of it can leave people vulnerable to manipulation and exploitation. Orwell emphasizes that educating people is essential in the fight against inequality and authoritarianism.

Orwell’s Essays and Relevance Today

Beyond his novels, Orwell also wrote thought-provoking essays that highlighted his political stance and social critique. Pieces like “Politics and the English Language” and Homage to Catalonia reveal even more about Orwell’s worldview and how it applies today.

1. Political Manipulation of Language

“Politics and the English Language” warns about how political figures use vague or overly complicated language to hide the truth. Today, we see similar strategies where buzzwords and jargon replace clarity. Orwell encourages us to strip away the fluff and question what’s really being said.

2. Opposition to Authoritarianism

Orwell’s works consistently oppose authoritarian regimes, whether left-wing or right-wing. His time fighting in the Spanish Civil War, chronicled in Homage to Catalonia, demonstrates his firsthand understanding of how leaders can exploit people’s trust. His essays remind us that vigilance is necessary to resist authoritarianism in any form.