Diction In 1984

In George Orwell’s novel, 1984, Orwell conveys the theme of conformity though his diction, and through his depiction of the “fixing process” employed by the government. After every governmental message in the novel, Big Brother, the leader of Oceania, states the country’s slogan of “War Is Peace, Freedom Is Slavery, Ignorance Is Strength.” (Orwell, 16). Orwell’s diction in this slogan is used to essentially list the characteristics of a conformed society, showing that they do not have free thought, are ignorant towards governmental flaws, and believe that what they are doing is for a good cause. As O’Brien is “fixing” Winston, he has Winston to believe that when he is holding up four fingers, “there are five fingers there.” (Orwell, 258). Orwell’s depiction of the “fixing process” shows the extent to which Oceania can conform it’s society, showing that the government can make people believe in concepts which hold no reality. Through his diction, and depiction of governmental “fixing processes,” George Orwell conveys the theme of conformity in his dystopian novel, 1984.

As Orwell describes Winston’s flat he depicts a “telescreen”(Orwell, 1) with the caption “Big Brother is always watching you.” (Orwell, 2). Orwell places concept of society always being watched by the government as an allusion to the Soviet secret police always watching society for rebellious thoughts. As Winston is writing his book criticizing Big Brother, he notes that writing this book is “a crime punishable by death.” (Orwell, 62). Orwell here places an other allusion to the Russian totalitarian state by instilling the concept that conspiring against the government can result in execution. By alluding to concepts of real totalitarian states in 1984, George Orwell warns of instilling these concepts in current