1984 By George Orwell: Literary Analysis

Though written in 1949, the controversial political ideology discussed in George Orwell’s novel, 1984, is standing the test of time by proving relevant to a plethora of issues in modern society, especially in the United States with the election of Donald Trump, NPR cited that the novel sales were up around “10,000 percent” (NPR). Several of these themes include the issues of the makeup of a totalitarian state, as seen in governance of the Party, mass surveillance, through Telescreens and Though Police, and uniform thought, evident with 2+2=5. While all of these themes are present in modern day reality, one of the biggests overlaps between the novel and reality is the presences and role of whistleblowers. In 1984, we are introduced to the character Emmanuel Goldstein, who serves as a whistleblower against the Party and Big Brother. Similarly, in 2013, Americans became aware of various NSA

Goldstein, as the reader learners, is the poster child of all things party members are too avoid, the snake within in the party that is supposed to evoke anger, and disgust. This concept is exemplified as Winston describes the process of Two Minutes of Hate, in which Goldstein’s face is shown, causing party members to become near barbaric and experience “ a painful mixture of emotions” (Orwell, X). This is the first sign of a scapegoat. Putting someone and their actions on a pedestal to denounce and instill repulsion into party members is utilized to avoid having similar actions committed later on. Subsequently, party loyalty is strong, and incites responsibility among the people to search out for traitors -- future Goldsteins-- through the implementation of the Thought police. But the role of Goldstein in 1984, not limited to just playing the role of a scapegoat to justify Two Minutes of Hate, Hate Week, or employment of the thought police, but