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Power Of Big Brother In George Orwell's 1984

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“Almost unconsciously he traced with his finger in the dust on the table: 2 + 2 = 5.” (p.290) Of course, such a notion seems absurd. But, this is precisely the extent of the power of Big Brother in George Orwell’s 1984: the power to invoke a loyalty great enough to control one’s perceived reality. Therein lies the main theme of Orwell’s novel, a theme centered on power. This theme is exemplified in 1984 by the control-crazed Party and its totalitarian rule over the people of Oceana, and, in such, brings to light Orwell’s fears towards totalitarianism. Orwell’s bleak attitude towards such a government is excellently displayed in, what could be called, a tour through what life would be like in such a society. Through Winston’s eyes, he portrays life in a war-burdened world where every aspect of the citizens’ lives is monitored 24/7, food and other such rations are distributed scarcely, and propaganda is produced constantly. Much of this is what one would expect from a totalitarian society, but Orwell takes the concept a couple steps further. 1984’s Party has a method of altering records of the past in such a way that they practically control it. Quoting from the book: ““Who controls the past,” ran the Party slogan, “controls the future: who …show more content…

Winston still saw through these charades. Thus, perhaps one of Orwell’s most unsettling ideas, the Thought Police, are introduced. In general, if a person is to show any signs of thought contradictory to party ideals, they will be guilty of “thoughtcrime” and will, thus, be “vaporized” or erased from existence. This is ultimately Winston’s fate, but through it, it is revealed just how power-hungry the Party really is. Rather than simply ending Winston’s life, it is seen how they go to the trouble of converting Winston, beforehand, coercing him towards a love of Big Brother. To the Party, even the dead must be

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