1984 George Orwell

Sci-fi movies have painted a future where humanity is controlled by technology and a puissant government, but what if these movies are our reality. In George Orwells' novel 1984, he writes about a society ruled by a totalitarian government that uses technological advances to abuse its citizens into keeping the government in power. Orwell utilizes interpretative literature techniques to create a greater connection between the reader and the story. ThoughtCo defines interpretative literature as "seek[ing] to help readers understand deeper questions of life...and other elements of human existence." George Orwell's depiction of a totalitarian government and the loss of self-identity can be interpreted as a warning to modern society that if it

For example, when Winston and Julia talk about their views on the party and how they would never betray each other, Winston thinks about "the telescreen and its never-sleeping ear." (Orwell 210). This specific form of personification makes the connection between the reader and the story more intimate. Throughout the story, there are explanations of how the Party watches and spies on its citizens. Bringing to life the telescreen by saying how it is always listening, no matter what, creates an eerie tone that leaves the reader constantly on edge because someone is always listening. Both comparisons and personifications make the reader question if they truly understand how they are treated in society and the consequences of such.

Additionally, the novel's use of irony contrasts the reader's expectations and what happens in the story. Orwell uses verbal irony to give glimpses into how the government has brainwashed its citizens into believing whatever they say. For example, the Party's slogans, "War is Peace, Freedom is Slavery, Ignorance is Strength." (Orwell 130). These slogans contradict one

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another, and the only reason the citizens haven't noticed is that all they've ever known is

The rationing, the ruined houses, and bombs going off every thirty minutes parallel life during the war. Bartleby Research describes one way that the Party takes control of its citizens by stating that "the Government of Oceania controls the citizens by using fear and propaganda." This ties in with the fact that the state is constantly at war. If a nation is always at war with another, its citizens would have no choice but to trust its government. Another form of irony Orwell uses is situational irony, specifically relating to the character Julia, Winston's partner. Julia is described as a young lady who is a proud member of the Party, who follows every rule, is an active member of the community, and is even a part of the Junior Anti-Sex

League. It isn't until she is with Winston that it is revealed that she is, in fact, the complete opposite of what she presents herself to be. In reality, she's a highly sexual being and despises the Party. Even stating that “she had her first love affair when she was sixteen...” (Orwell 165).

These forms of irony are both representations of how well the government can alter the perspective of what is the truth and what is fake.

Finally, Orwell dives deeper into real-life issues through the use of