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I'm a young-un that has read 1984, and most people I know have as well. Anyway I was all excited by the title and let down by the lack of 1984ness in the poem. I think the mention of the year in the body of the poem and the fact that the waitress is named Julia is nod enough to the book.
Other than that comment I don't have much to contribute, because others (especially Leanne) have already noted all my confusions/critiques.
-justcloudy
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The howling beast is back.
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(03-10-2014, 01:12 AM)justcloudy Wrote: I'm a young-un that has read 1984, and most people I know have as well. Anyway I was all excited by the title and let down by the lack of 1984ness in the poem. I think the mention of the year in the body of the poem and the fact that the waitress is named Julia is nod enough to the book.
Other than that comment I don't have much to contribute, because others (especially Leanne) have already noted all my confusions/critiques.
-justcloudy
Well, since I'm not good enough to rewrite a classic, I tried my hand at reinterpreting one of its characters in two ultra-short scenes that lasted all of one and a half minutes out of my life. I guess in two people's humble opinions, it doesn't cut mustard. I'm inclined to edit the poem toward those who found something positive and hope some zine likes it. I have no other grandiose ideas about the little snapper. Thanks for your first comment. That encourages me to continue.
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I think you misunderstood me. I liked the poem in general, I realize now I failed to mention that. There were a few things that bothered me that other people already picked up on. My biggest problem is with the title. If you changed it the whole thing would have a different feel. As it stands the title makes it a bit pretentious to my mind. It ruins the poem for me. I've read the comments and understand your intent, but as I said before, think the allusions within the poem itself are enough.
Anyway now I'm just talking in circles and will shut up.
I don't think any of us are good enough to re-write Orwell, and I hope to god none of us think we are. ;p
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No one is suggesting this is a re-write of Orwell, this is a re-interpretation, picking up on the themes within the novel relating to the relationship between Winston and Julia.
And far from this poem falling short with regard to those themes, it is in fact very faithful to one of the key scenes in the book, when under the torture of re-education - illustrated in the poem by the literature course - Winston holds onto the memory of Julia. And only when subjected to his worst fear - the rats (in the poem, the final exam) - does he let that memory go, conform, and become a good party member - which in this poem could be seen as a class statement - an educated man, with a certificate, and a career, does not consort with a short order waitress, if he is to progress.
It doesn't require doublethink to understand what is being attempted.
