George Orwell’s Prevision and the Noonday WitchesBoyd D. Cathey – The Unz Review July 16, 2026There is a memorable passage from George Orwell’s classic dystopian novel, 1984, published more than seven decades ago. Of course, his statement was uttered largely in jest…but, yet, did it not contain at least a modicum of truth? Could all of those poor witches burned at the stake or otherwise punished have been as innocent as the driven snow? ), and they were some of the ugliest, foulest looking creatures I’ve ever seen—anywhere: Purple stringy hair, 300 lb. That appreciation of Motherhood, that genuine respect, that inherent dignity and signal importance accorded to women has all but collapsed in modern society.