ipl-logo

1984 George Orwell Individual Freedom

954 Words4 Pages

In George Orwell's 1984 novel, the theme of struggle and survival is a dominant commentary on the importance of individual freedom and the dangers of a society striving to control all aspects of human life. The novel depicts a dystopian society in which the government controls every aspect of citizens' lives, from their thoughts and actions to language and emotions. Winston and Julia's characters represent different approaches to survival in such a society, emphasizing the importance of individuality and the right to freedom of expression in all aspects of life. Winston's struggle for intellectual freedom is central to the novel. He wants to think and act freely, as his diary entries show: "Thoughtcrime does not entail death: thoughtcrime is death" (Orwell, 18). This quote underscores the severity of government control over individual thinking and the consequences of deviating from established norms. Winston's determination to stand by his beliefs is evident when he says, "Freedom is the freedom to say that two plus two make four. If that is granted, all else follows" …show more content…

A clear example of this is the government's use of Newspeak, a language designed to eliminate complex thoughts and ideas. With Newspeak, concepts, and ideas are stripped of meaning and nuance to limit the scope of thought and expression. Winston recognizes the danger of language and the role it plays in the government's attempts to control the populace. He wrote in his journal: "Don't you see that the whole aim of Newspeak is to narrow the range of thought? In the end we shall make thoughtcrime impossible because there will be no words in which to express it" (Orwell, 55). This quote underscores the importance of language for individual thought and expression. By taking away the ability to speak the government is restricting the people's individuality and right to an opinion and being able to express

Show More
Related
1971 Words | 8 Pages

Many a literary critic claims that the strongest aspect of the book 1984 by George Orwell is its plot. Indeed, there is some merit in this conclusion, as the entire purpose of Orwell’s writing of this book was not to create a literary classic, but to warn the public about the dangers of communism if it got out of hand, and what better way to do this than to write an engaging plot? Others may claim that 1984’s greatest strength is in its character development. This aspect, too, is quite strong in the book, as not only are the minor characters effected in serving the dystopian theme, but the major characters are believable and very human in their failings. Winston’s transformation from an oppressed office worker to revolutionary and finally

Read More
665 Words | 3 Pages

Despite the constant surveillance and propaganda, Winston is unable to shake the feeling that the world he lives in is not right. He struggles with the thought that his memories and experiences might have been altered by the Party and yearns for a deeper understanding of the truth. As Winston says, "Freedom is the freedom to say that two plus two make four. If that is granted, all else follows." (Orwell, 84)

Read More
931 Words | 4 Pages

George Orwell’s 1984 conveys human behaviour and nature through presenting a series of characters demonstrating their response to the challenges of the individual versus collective and internal conflicts. This is exhibited clearly through the characters of Julia and Parsons with their respective responses of resistance and confusion. Orwell demonstrates this repeatedly throughout his novel, thus representing the range of humanity’s behaviour. Nineteen Eighty-Four depicts the challenges of living within a totalitarian society as each identity is subsumed by the collective.

Read More
1347 Words | 6 Pages

This quote shows that Winston has become more defiant and has started to question the government's propaganda. He understands that freedom of thought is essential to any rebellion, and he refuses to accept the government's

Read More
1159 Words | 5 Pages

Winston does not even question this he just gets out of bed to put on clothes. This shows how he does not even think about this control the society has placed on him but just accepts it. 1984 uses a term called doublethink this is believing in two completely contrary beliefs and accepting both of them as fact. Doublethink using logic to dismiss logic and allows for acceptance of both ideas.

Read More
1261 Words | 6 Pages

George Orwell was an English novelist and journalist best known for his dystopian novel 1984 which was based on totalitarianism. Winston Smith, an employee in the Records Department for the Ministry of Truth and protagonist of this story, lives a life characterized by rebellion and hatred for the Party. His doubts for the Party’s actions and its control on truth begins to take a journey of discrete insurrection and the meeting of Julia, a young woman with cunning spirit and a worker at the Fiction Department. The plot rises as both of them have corresponding views on the Party; in this particular excerpt, George Orwell establishes antsy with this situation as Winston and Julia are caught by the Thought Police. Orwell’s use of repetition, details

Read More
1404 Words | 6 Pages

In the novel 1984, written by George Orwell, an English novelist, a society in which people are taken advantage of is displayed. The story tracks Winston, a thin, frail, contemplative, and intellectual thirty-nine-year-old, who lives in a society where the government constantly watches the people, limits thoughts,

Read More
432 Words | 2 Pages

In the story, Winston Smith is observed as committing thoughtcrime and also seen to how “His pen had slid voluptuously over the smooth paper, printing in large neat capitals DOWN WITH BIG BROTHER…”(Orwell 36). The diary that Winston writes in symbolizes his rebellion towards the Party as it shows him committing thoughtcrime. The diary also symbolizes how Winston feels about the Party and expresses that “So long as human beings stay human, death and life are the same thing.” This quote further expresses Winston’s hate towards the party by describing living as death. This is another reason

Read More
1289 Words | 6 Pages

The Color Purple by Alice Walker is the heartbreaking story of a young African American woman named Celie, who is trying to find her way through life and conveys a message of resilience through racial oppression. Throughout the story, Celie takes readers through her life and speaks about the hardships she has to overcome through letters to God or her sister, her main goal is to conquer these tough times she experiences and find her voice through her friends, family, and husband. A life changing connection Celie made in the story is with Shug. The relationship between Shug and Celie changed Celie's way of thinking and going about life. The two characters are very opposite of each other where Shug is very confident and outspoken and Celie is

Read More
636 Words | 3 Pages

Freedom is when you are able to do what you want, when you want, being worry and trouble free. In George Orwell 's book, 1984, some of the characters, like Winston, do not have freedom due to the fear instilled by the Thought Police. The Thought Police, which are affiliated with The Party, prevent the occurrence of Thoughtcrime, much like the law enforcement system system in the United States. The Party they choose for Winston a career that he might or might not be suited for. He is not even able to pursue a marriage partner that he wants to spend his life with, The Party chooses for him.

Read More
1018 Words | 5 Pages

On the Fallibility of Human Individuality The way of man is to err. This truth cannot be denied, even with the most innate valor of individuality. George Orwell’s 1984 and Solomon Asch’s 1955 line conformity experiment illustrate the fallibility of human individuality. George Orwell’s society of Oceania is one in which individuality is always subdued and conformity is inevitable for every individual.

Read More
1446 Words | 6 Pages

Sex creates an extremely exclusive bond between two individuals; it’s an unspoken contract of trust and love. Not only are sexual experiences private, but they also fulfill humanity’s instinctual desire and promote individuality. However, when this intimacy is either erased or condemned by society, individuals lose touch with that vital part of their humanity and individuality. In 1984 by George Orwell, sexuality plays an important role in both Oceania’s totalitarian government and Winston’s rebellion against his oppressors; as he explores his sexuality, Winston revolts against the Party’s manipulative political control, the destruction of individuality, the absence of human connection, and the practice of sexual puritanism.

Read More
777 Words | 4 Pages

Is Street Fighter V ruining the FGC? It’s been no secret that Street Fighter V since its launch in February of 2016 has been marketed as a lackadaisical attempt at inviting new players to take part in the new chapter of one of the most historic fighting game franchises ever. However, with the main focus on simplifying the game and catering to the broader audience, has Capcom neglected the core of the fighting game community?

Read More
1404 Words | 6 Pages

The idea of freedom in 1984 In modern politics, we are very accustomed to word such as “fake news.” Politicians use statistics and make statements that are not based in any facts, present them as hard evidence for their stances, and watch as people instantly believe what they say, simply because they are in a position of power. That is why George Orwell’s novel, 1984, is more relevant today than it ever has been before. In the past, people have viewed this novel as simply a story, a different look at how history could have been changed.

Read More
421 Words | 2 Pages

Thinking outside Party Ideology and beliefs is labelled as ‘thought –crime’ because the act of free –independent thinking is unorthodox. When Winston began writing in his diary, he expected to be ‘vaporised’ as he had denounced Big Brother. He states, “thought crime does not entail death; thought crime IS death’. Syme describes destroying words to Winston, “In the end, we shall make thought crime literally impossible because there will be now words in which to express it” In other words, eliminating specific words and concepts strip them of their ability to

Read More

More about 1984 George Orwell Individual Freedom

Related Topics

Open Document