ipl-logo

Conformity In George Orwell's 1984

867 Words4 Pages

One of the most notable themes in 1984 is George Orwell’s depiction of conformity. Conformity means to behave in accordance with socially acceptable conventions. In 1984, the party sets laws and brings in technology that forces the population into conforming. This is done so that they can control the population easier, and manipulate them into believing the party’s ideals. To do this, they firstly make everyone wear the same clothes, eat the same food, and live in the same conditions. This creates a situation where it is impossible for anyone to be unique. The party then controls any possible rebellions against their reign, by hiding microphones and telescreens almost everywhere, and initiating the thought police. By doing this, they create a population that are either too scared to rebel, or are incapable because of the restrictions. This forces everyone into doing the same thing, thinking the same thing, and practically being the exactly same person. For the party, conformity is a good thing, as it makes it easy to control the population, keeps everyone in line, and keeps the party in power. For some of the population, this isn’t a terrible idea either. Many people need to conform, so that they feel a sense of belonging, and for …show more content…

Through the restrictions placed from the Party, the population of Oceania is forced into conforming. The cost of this is represented through Obrien explaining that there is a loss of beauty, of art, and no enjoyment of life. Individuality is shown through the development of Winston as a character. While meeting with Julia and expressing himself more, Winston becomes more of an individual rather than one of the other Party members. This initially has a positive affect on him, with the immediate increase in his health, however he eventually suffers deeply for it. Through this, Orwell shows that there is a cost that comes from being an

Show More
Related
480 Words | 2 Pages

In the novel 1984, outward conformity is crucial to the survival of the citizens of Oceania. One character in particular who practices this extremely well is the main character, Winston Smith. He not only conforms outwardly, but also questions his society inwardly, due to the overhanging fear that Miniluv will find and torture him. Winston constantly questions Big Brother and all of the laws that the citizens of Oceania are required to obey while also inwardly questioning his forbidden romance with Julia. Without this rising tension throughout the novel, 1984 would lose its suspenseful tone and would easily lose the focus of readers.

Read More
511 Words | 3 Pages

Furthermore, conformity makes people believe they can't speak out. This is a negative thing because they can't fix what they're

Read More
434 Words | 2 Pages

Conformity is is good or bad Conformity is something that can lead to a bad society. Conformity is good but most of the time it its bad because people think that a group of people is always smarter than one person. Conformity does not mean that all people who are a group are right. Unfortunaly conformity is not always right just like in the book The Crucible.

Read More
781 Words | 4 Pages

Both Winston and Julia have a lot of personality that goes against the Party and Big Brother, so when their true character comes out they end up getting into trouble. Through the “characters’ actions”, in 1984, Orwell suggests individuality leads to rebellion. Winston and Julia’s actions show that their own individuality leads to rebellion. Winston and Julia’s uniqueness leads them to rebellion in George Orwell’s, 1984. The Party doesn’t allow the citizens of Oceania to think their own thoughts in fear of a rebellion against the government.

Read More
791 Words | 4 Pages

Debate-written Assignment, Conformity The idea of conformity is to eliminate individualism and to unite the society together, making it a safer place for the citizens to live, and develop in. A place that has no war, no hunger and no pain, where citizens create strong bonds between each other. The Giver written by Lois Lowry represents the idea of conformity in the society where they try to keep everyone the same as each other by following the same rules and trying to avoid having people stand out by receiving daily pills to lose the feeling of inclination between each other.

Read More
1208 Words | 5 Pages

A Contrast in Conformity Two of the most well-known, studied novels in English literature both illustrate a common theme: dystopian society. Dystopian novels have authoritarian governments that attempt to establish power by forcing its’ citizens to conform and relinquish individuality. These novels also express that compliance is a natural instinct in human beings, since, the majority of citizens are malleable to frequent rule changes. In 1984, by George Orwell and The Chrysalids, by John Wyndham, conformity indicates power and individuality signifies weakness as seen through the main character’s appearance, thoughts, and actions. The main characters in both novels lose their individuality in appearance by being influenced to conform to the society in which they live.

Read More
819 Words | 4 Pages

Joseph Goebbels once said,”Propaganda works best when those who are being manipulated are confident they are acting on their freewill”. This statement is proven to be true in 1984. The author, George Orwell, creates a fictional dystopian society in which the population is manipulated into thinking they live in a great world, whereas the government has full control over them. In 1984, George Orwell’s prime message, supported by the article called Liberty in North Korea by Hae Re, was the lack of individualism gives power to the applicable leader, which is conveyed using the characters speech and symbolism. Orwell’s dystopian society showed the author 's message through what a character was saying and symbolism.

Read More
870 Words | 4 Pages

Government Manipulation in 1984 People generally rely on the government as a source of protection and stability. However, the government does not always have the citizens’ best interests in mind, as shown in 1984. The government has the power to distort realities and the ability to detect the truth. They can manipulate, or influence people’s minds without them even knowing. George Orwell’s 1984 uses a futuristic dystopia to show how the government is able to manipulate human values through the use of fear.

Read More
1299 Words | 6 Pages

Eric Wills Themes Easily, the largest theme that comes through in 1984 from start to finish is psychological control is the way to a totalitarian government. By controlling the minds of the people who are in their country, they can keep everyone in check with no chance of revolution. The Party, or the main government has a motto. It goes, “Those who control the past, control the future: who controls the present controls the past.” (32).

Read More
721 Words | 3 Pages

In the novel 1984, George Orwell illustrates a classic example of why the proles are reluctant to change their lifestyle-simply because the costs outweighs

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
1073 Words | 5 Pages

1984 by George Orwell makes several statements about control, security, and how governments should treat their citizens. However, a reader can also look at chapters 1-7 of the book as a statement on social classes and how the government keeps everyone in a certain social class. What values does the work reinforce? The book is mainly about control of the government.

Read More
697 Words | 3 Pages

Conformity creates many new problems. The concept of conformity is based on one person's actions and how it is influenced by a group's behavior. One person's morals and beliefs change due to the opinion of others. They want to have the approval and acceptance of others in that group, they want to fit in. In the text, "Harrison Bergeron" by Kurt Vonnegut, Jr. there are many examples of how conformity in society creates an issue.

Read More
1500 Words | 6 Pages

Their choices as to personal preferences are less than limited and no one, aside from a few characters, seems to mind. They have become accustomed to living their lives the same as everyone else, with no hope of anything more than they have now, and thus have conformed to the wishes of the Party. As well, the Outer Party members are subject to daily, mandatory exercise first thing in the morning called the “Physical Jerks”, after these, workers are forced into long, tiring work days. This is likely another plot by the government to ensure that even if anyone were to question the morals of the Party, they are too busy and tired to do anything about it. This relates to the overwhelming acceptance of conformity caused by the generic, identical lifestyles because even though most people are in line with the Party’s plan, they still prepare for the worst and are a step ahead of anything that could threaten their style of government.

Read More
1784 Words | 8 Pages

Totalitarianism in 1984 and the Real World The concept of a totalitarian society is a major theme throughout the novel 1984. This theme of totalitarianism can also be applied to the world today. The definition of totalitarianism, a concept used by some political scientists, is a state which holds total authority over the society and seeks to control all aspects of public and private life wherever possible. Totalitarianism can be related between the novel 1984 and current events in the real world. George Orwell incorporated the theme of totalitarianism into his novel 1984 to display the ever changing world around him during the time it was written.

Read More

More about Conformity In George Orwell's 1984

Related Topics

Open Document