Reading Groups

Reading 1984 in 2025: The Watcher Versus Being Watched with Jacqueline Ahl

$150

3 Sessions

Out of stock

3 Sessions Thursdays, 6:30 pm EDT - 8:00 pm EDT January 23 to March 6, 2025

Online via Zoom

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Meeting Dates:
1/23, 2/13, 3/6
Online via Zoom

George Orwell’s 1984 is at once a cultural fixture and cautionary tale; “Orwellian” is entrenched in the lexicon, calling out a specific brand of threat and loss—loss of independent thought, objective reality, bodily autonomy, privacy, individuality, and fundamental humanity—all under the thumb of Order.

In fiction, conveying horror relies primarily on telling. In the text of 1984, the concept of “looking out” for kin in the spirit of fraternal protection is transformed into the perversion of being watched by Big Brother. The emotional impact of the narrative—being “watched” and imprisoned by fascist ideology—relies on our ability as readers to imbue written text with image, to envision and therefore supply the absent sense. In contrast, theater relies on showing—the emotional impact of seeing conflicts carried out, punishment exacted, action executed.

Enter: the stage play version of 1984 by Robert Icke and Duncan MacMillan, based on Orwell’s 1949 novel. The play might be categorized as modern Grand Guignol, informed by the conventions of theater of excess or theater of cruelty. While we (as reading group members) won’t be able to experience the “show” element of Icke and MacMillian’s play, we can still follow a line of questioning that attempts to pursue whether both formats are equally effective or necessary. In this group, we’ll unclip the velvet rope that defines the space between fiction and drama, examining the neurobiological impact of reading versus witnessing horror, all in hopes of recognizing fascism wherever and whenever we encounter it.

What to read before the first meeting: Please read 1984, the novel by George Orwell, in its entirety.

What to expect from this reading group: Session content is largely conversational and participant-driven, with the instructor serving as facilitator and providing context for literary and dramatic concepts discussed.

Reading List:

1984 (Novel) by George Orwell
1984 (Play) by Robert Icke and Duncan MacMillan

Capacity: 20

Please note: All virtual classes are recorded. Please click here for information about our recording policy.

Led by

Jacqueline Ahl

Jacqueline Ahl

Jacqueline Ahl is a writer, presenter, and educator. At SUNY New Paltz, she served as visiting poet for Understanding Poetry (2007-2015), Founder/Director of the Creative Writing Mentoring Program (2000-2005), and member of the William Vasse Poetry Board (2000-2006). She also hosted Plath and the Public Eye (a two-day celebration of the work of Sylvia Plath) and served as guest speaker for Major Authors: Sylvia Plath (2009) and Writing for Publishing (2008). Jacqueline also served as an instructor for the Summer Institute for the Gifted (SIG) at Vassar College (2005-2015), teaching courses in philosophy, psychology, symbols and iconography, scriptwriting, fantasy fiction, and improvisation. Jacqueline’s publications include A Slant of Light: Contemporary Women Writers of the Hudson Valley (2013) and Riverine: An Anthology of Hudson Valley Writers (2007) and her poetry features include Albany Wordfest and The Woodstock Roundtable on WDST. Jacqueline’s plays have been produced in NY, NC, and MO, receiving national and international awards.

About this series

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