Written by Alexandra Steyn

The fall play 1984 was performed on November 10 and 11 by fifteen Rye Country Day Upper School students across grade levels. Based on George Orwell’s dystopian novel, 1984 is an eerie warning of the future and the dangers of a totalitarian society. 1984 takes place in a world in which freedom and expression have been obliterated and each movement is controlled by an omniscient “Party.” The play follows Winston Smith, a Party member who refuses to let the Party’s propaganda invade his mind, and his love story with Julia, a fellow Party member who, also grasps the injustice of the Party’s reign and, with Winston, disobeys the Party. After Winston is caught, confesses to his crimes, and is tortured, he comes to love the Party wholeheartedly, as shown by his repeating of and belief in the words “two and two make five.”

The Drama department’s decision to put on 1984 was in part due to the play’s importance and significance in today’s world; Mr. Hogan, who was one of the directors of the play, explained that they hoped 1984 would prompt the audience to “think about our world’s affairs and the trajectory of our society.” In 1984, citizens’ information is controlled by the Party and is thus extremely biased and, in most cases, false. In showing the play, the Drama Department reminded the audience of the importance of objective truths and an accurate awareness of the “world’s affairs,” in order to ensure the society of 1984 is never realized.

Winston Smith was played by twelfth grader David Colin. Because of the character’s complexities, Colin described the way he tried to show Winston’s “cold, unemotional demeanor,” which Winston would have adapted to avoid any suspicion or scrutiny by the Party, and that demeanor’s contrast with Winston’s love and humanity. This let the audience know what prompted Winston to show his suppressed humanity, such as his love for Julia. Winston is not simply a character, he is a symbol, and he sends a clear message, one that is all the more powerful in today’s world. To Colin, Winston represents “the visceral disagreement with a state policy/societal attitude;” he embodies the idea that even in the most authoritarian societies, there is still hope that some people do not agree with the state’s ideas and are working for a better future. Such a goal can only be achieved through deep feelings, which are the basis of one’s humanity and individuality.

In addition, 1984 holds a special meaning for our current generation, at a time of heightened polarization and a collision of differing ideas and voices. For one, Colin mentioned that freedom is often taken for granted, so much so that people do not realize how easily it can be stripped away and the word has become meaningless. The play teaches the audience to “appreciate freedom more,” as many people today are “at the mercy of their surrounding community.” In 1984, citizens are under the constant, ruthless watch of the Party, and every action must be calculated to show deference and loyalty to the state. The audience, chilled by this, can come back to their lives under a democracy and feel grateful for the fact they do not have a “constant nagging filter on our every action.” Secondly, 1984 serves as a reminder for our generation of the power of anti-conformity and individuality. Social media often shows only one type of what someone can be, and in the world today, many young people feel as though they cannot stay true to themselves out of fear of their friends’ or peers’ reactions or exclusion from certain social groups. Although 1984 may be exaggerated in the sense that people march in perfect unison and robotically perform calisthenics, parallels can be drawn between the emphasis placed on conformity in Oceanian society and our world and generation. Winston’s anti-conformity pushes our generation to adhere to our “natural instinct, even against the greatest opposition or pressure possible,” said Colin.

After 75 years, 1984 remains timeless and an essential read. The production of 1984 left the audience with a reminder of the importance of objective truths and a greater appreciation for freedom and individuality.