1984 

By George Orwell

 

Winston Smith, Rebel.

Oceanian citizen.

2+2 is? Who cares?

A thoughtcrime nonpartisan

 

Airstrip One, his home.

In a perpetual state of war.

2+2 is? Does it matter?

The Party knows the score.

 

Big Brother watches you.

Constant surveillance and fear.

2+2 is? Never mind.

Not what it first appears

 

At the Ministry of Truth (untruths).

He rewrites their false history.

2+2 is? Not what it was.

He’s a manipulative accessory.

 

Rebellious notation in his diary.

He records his dissent and desires.

2+2 is? He has no time.

He’s fanning the flames of fire.

 

Winston and Julia, lovers.

They connect with both body and mind 

2+2 is? Higher than 1+1. 

Whatever, both captured blind

 

Monitored, arrested, tortured.

Thought police’s Love Ministry.

2+2 is? He’s no longer sure.

Actuality is an absentee.

 

Individuality, destroyed.

O’Brien’s Room 101 breaks.

2 + 2 is 5, just as it always has been.

Cured of stubborn personality aches.

 

Winston Smith, conformist.

Brainwashed, mentally broken. 

2+2 is? Whatever the party says.

Big Brother loves; all else is unspoken.