Not even four months into the year, 2017 has already proven to be a year of controversy, division, and a roller coaster of human morals. George Orwell’s 1984 was written nearly seventy years ago, but to say that its effect has been long-lasting would be a large understatement. As a classic piece of literature, this book has been studied in English classes across the globe for quite a while. However, despite this book’s growing age, something unusual has occurred in more recent times. In January of this year, Amazon reported that 1984 had leapt to the top of the best-seller list. Although this book may have nearly seven decades under its belt, it’s quite clear to see why this novel rocketed its way to the top at this time in history.

2017 has resulted in a great schism throughout the United States as more and more people are openly expressing their feelings of racism, prejudice, and hate. On WNYC, New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio stated”a dynamic of hatred has been growing in this country over the last year or more.” The growing lack of toleration towards other people has become more and more evident and people are beginning to become fearful of what will become of our country. That is where the themes of 1984 are so significant. People are gradually making connections between the events that are taking place in the United States and the events that took place in 1984.

There’s a certain quote in the novel that even caught the attention of Audible and inspired their commercial during the Oscars on February 26, 2017. The quote is read by the voice of Zachary Quinto and is a timely eye-opener to all who took a moment to listen to his words. “If he were allowed contact with foreigners he would discover that they are creatures similar to himself and that most of what he has been told about them is lies.”(Orwell) The quote seems to echo throughout the entire country as a wakeup call. It’s a rally cry to all in an attempt to reunite the country and the world as a whole. In a time of mass prejudice and hatred towards people who are said to be many things that they are not, George Orwell’s words are still more than relevant. People are realizing that the parallels between 1984 and today’s society need to be broken, and reading this novel gives them insight into what could happen if the country remains on the path it’s currently traveling down.

At the time this is being written, 1984 is ranked #4 on Amazon’s best-seller list. Make no mistake, this book is only going to become more popular and more relevant as 2017 progresses. The message that all people are more alike than they are told is spreading like wildfire throughout the world because this is a time when people feel they need to hear it. The citizens of the U.S. are becoming increasingly aware of the situation our people are in when it comes to values and personal views. The similarities between 1984 and 2017 are causing a surge of readers to purchase this classic novel and understand the consequences of what is being done. The message of the novel is clear and it’s no coincidence that it shot up to its position on the best-seller list at this time in our history. With the significant decrease in toleration for others, 1984’s message stands tall and remains extremely relevant in the present. The words may have been written decades ago, but the meaning behind the words have come back to shake the core of the American people and shows no sign of tampering off any time soon.