Text-to-Text, Text-to-Self, and Text-to-World

In just the first 27 pages of the book I am currently reading, 1984, I've already made a lot of connections to other things in life. So, I'm going to write a little bit about about each connection I've made.

For my text-to-text connection, I would have to say that this book kind of reminds me of Fahrenheit 451. The reason I say that is because of the dystopian way in which both novels are set up. They both show what can happen when society is censored/restricted by government. In Fahrenheit, books are restricted, while in 1984, pretty much everything is restricted, from television to magazines and the news, and so on and so on. The main characters in both books are also experiencing major changes in how they think of the way that things are. In Fahrenheit, Montag works for the fire department and helps burn books, but he soon learns that he doesn't want to burn the books, and even wants to read them. In 1984, Winston works for the Ministry of Truth, and helps to restrict the media and books and such, but he soon discovers his hatred for the government's policies and its leader, Big Brother. He doesn't want everything to be so restricted, and even wants the government to be overthrown. So, if you like Fahrenheit 451 (and it doesn't appear that many people do), then I would highly recommend 1984.

For my text-to-self connection, I think that I connect to this book in the way that I think kind of like Winston. He works for the government, but doesn't entirely believe in their ideology. I think that I'm kind of the same way. While I do like certain things, I feel sort of a resentment for them at times, and don't always agree with the way that they do things. For example, I like The Walking Dead, but sometimes the show get kind of meh, and I don't always agree with where the plot is going or how an episode unfolded. That's the way that Winston feels about the government. He hates the way that they restrict and control people, but yet he still continues to work for them.

Last but not least, it's time for my text-to-world connection, and I feel like there is so much in this book that connects to the world already. Although the book takes place in our past, the book was written to predict the future, and let me tell you, it shocks me how much of it is coming true. The book portrays the government as being overbearing and controlling, and that's kind of the way our government and other governments around the world are being. For instance, in North Korea, they censor the internet so that people can't access things from around the world. These things are done to keep people from learning too much and revolting against the government, like in 1984.

If you do end up reading this book, pay close attention to connections such as these, and make some of your own, because I think that's key to liking a book. If you connect to the book, then you like, but if you don't connect to the plot or the characters, then you don't like it very much.