1984 George Orwell Systemic Violence Essay

Society’s Blind Spot: Systemic Violence as a Means of Control From Ancient Rome’s gladiator battles to modern authoritarian regimes, violence has long been a tactic that has been used to control populations. George Orwell's novel 1984 is just one example of how brutal tactics can be used to normalize the horrors of systemic violence. In Oceania, brutality has become so commonplace that citizens have become desensitized to its true horrors. Acts of violence are shown to the public as entertainment, and by encouraging attendance and treating them as celebrations, the people of Oceania view the brutality as positive. In addition, the Party indoctrinates the population into participating in violence through the usage of peer pressure and propaganda.

Throughout 1984, readers are shown that the Party manipulates their citizens into perceiving violence as entertainment. Citizens perceive public executions as an event to look forward to, and children plead their parents to be taken to them. Treated as entertainment, the Party encourages attendance and treats them as celebrations. This is illustrated when one of Winston’s colleagues, Syme, recalls a recent execution. “‘It was a good hanging,’ said Syme reminiscently. ‘I think it spoils it when they tie their feet together. I like to see them kicking. And above all, at the end, the tongue sticking right, and blue-a quite bright blue. That’s the detail that appeals to me’”(Orwell 52). Syme is reminiscing about the execution, indicating that he has formed a nostalgic attachment to such events, to the point where he has preferences as to how they should be carried out. His enjoyment of the event shows that public executions are a means to amuse the public, rather than a solemn punishment. Syme’s desensitized reaction to such cruelty showcases how the Party has cultivated a society in which people are numb to the horrors of violence. In addition, executions are shown to be a monthly occurrence, becoming a consistent practice for the

During the Two Minutes Hate, citizens express their anguish at enemies of the state, and then their love for Big Brother. It is a mandatory public event, utilizing herd mentality to indoctrinate the populace. Winston questions his actions during the chanting, “The horrible thing about the Two Minutes Hate was not that one was obliged to act a part, but that it was impossible to avoid joining in” (16). Winston suggests that people are not forced to participate in the Two Minutes Hate, but they are psychologically coerced into doing so. The public outburst of violence reflects the tactic of peer pressure the Party employs as a form of control. Although Winston is not a true believer of the Party, even he falls victim to the external pressure, displaying how the Party can override an individual’s free will. The Party exploits the fear of being ostracized in order to ensure that they conform to the Party’s desires. It also indoctrinates the citizens of Oceania through the usage of propaganda, particularly through glorifying violence to children. The children of Oceania are taught to revere Big Brother through the glamourization of the Party and the wars it participates in. Winston observes,“On the contrary, they adored the Party and everything connected with it. The songs, the procession, the banners, the hiking, the drilling with dummy rifles, the