1984
Grimdark has always been a concept of humanity living in the worst environment as possible, and there is not even a single joy can be found in grimdark. 1984 is such example of grimdark. It is a novel by George Orwell published in 1949. It is primary about what happen if the government has the complete control of everyone, where you will be watched everyday and being forced to believe whatever lies the government said, or else you'll be tortured and mind-raped to absolute despair. This book is basically the inspiration to all grimdark totalitarian dictatorships, including Paranoia and Warhammer 40k.
Plot
A member who works for the Ministry of Truth, named Winston Smith, isn't happy about his life. He is sick of doing the same thing every day, helping the government spread their propaganda, being exhausted at work, never getting laid and not having enough to eat. But his life changes when he meets Julia, who gives him what he wants, which is something the party considers unacceptable. Winston has a fun time fucking Julia, learning about the past and eating the real food the upper class gets. During this time, Winston's co-worker O'Brien introduces himself as a member of the secret anti-government Resistance and recruits Winston and Julia. This continues until they are arrested by the Thought Police, who had been spying on their private sex room through a bugged painting, and they are sent to the Ministry of Love to be brainwashed. Winston is reunited with O'Brien, and finds out that O'Brien is actually a top level government agent; his "recruitment" of Winston and Julia was part of a sting operation. O'Brien tortures Winston to the brink of death and insanity, then sends him to the dreaded Room 101 to meet his worst fear. Months after being successfully brainwashed by the party Winston meets Julia again, who is also brainwashed, and both are uncertain about their futures. In the end Winston despairs so much he cannot even commit suicide, believes that 2+2=5, and comes to love the Party's figurehead leader, Big Brother.
Warhammer 40k's grimdark elements inspired from 1984
- The Big Brother: Big Brother is basically a non-existent figure head created by the ruling Party for those poor bastards to worship.
- Constant Surveillance: In 1984, there are these shitty TV networks that were created to stalk you and troll you everyday call the "telescreens" and you cannot turn them off. If you somehow manage to turn one off, you will be captured by the thought police and have your ass beaten. There are other surveillance devices such as helicopters (for tall apartment buildings), thought polices, and even your own children (damn government bribed them with candy). The only people who are free from this nightmare are the underclass Proles, and that's because they're so dumb the Party considers them animals who do not give a fuck about politics, doing nothing but work, drink and wank to porn. Yes, you yourself are one such filthy dumbass Prole, using this Telescreen for hentai instead of actually doing something. In Warhammer 40k, there are the secret police of the Inquisition which have psykers reading people's mind everyday, and Adeptus Arbites who serve fair justice to common proletarians everyday.
- In The Grim Darkness Of The Far Future There Is only War: In 1984, eternal war is the best way for Oceania to have their lonely excuse for fun and boost their Jew golds; they wage unnecessary wars with friendly countries, using the lands of unallied countries as the battlefield. All of this is so they can justify their brutal military junta and spend most of their money on building more flying metal boxes, instead of actually giving benefits to their own people who are cramped into 1000 meters-high city prisons for your grandmother to live in.