ipl-logo

Dismissive Diction In George Orwell's '1984'

448 Words2 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: The ways in which society is controlled in 1984 george orwell symbolism

“It’s a beautiful thing the destruction of words” Syme firmly declares(Orwell 1). The Party seeks to narrow the range of thought leading to a decrease in thoughtcrime. Syme is dedicated to the Party and specializes in language, so he is a firm believer in getting rid of Oldspeak. In George Orwell's 1984, Syme utilizes dismissive diction and logos to convince Winston of the beauty in destroying a language. Within the passage of 1984, Orwell utilizes dismissive diction. Through his use of diction, Syme attempts to cast upon a negative sense towards Oldspeak to Winston. He does so when he claims ”if you want a stronger version of “good”, what sense is there in having a whole string of vague useless words like “excellent” and “splendid”” (Orwell 1). By expressing Oldspeak as having “useless” and “vague” terms, Syme aims for Winston to develop a negative feeling towards the language. In attempts to convince Winston of the beauty in destroying language, through his use of negative diction, he intends for Winston to feel it is adverse and unworthy, therefore it should be destroyed. …show more content…

Syme claims that the beauty behind destroying words relies on the outcome because good does come from eliminating words. Through these logical outcomes, Syme tries to convince Winston of the beauty in destroying language. Syme continues on by arguing, “has it ever occurred to you, Winston, that by the year 2050, at the very latest, not a single human being will be alive who could understand such a conversation as we are having now?” (Orwell 2). Syme attempts to appeal to Winston’s intellect by stating that if no one will understand their conversation in the future then there is no need for it. He is making an effort for Winston to believe in the beauty of destroying language by claiming the future is better off without Oldspeak. Therefore, it should be removed from

Show More
Related

1984 Dialectical Journal Analysis

965 Words | 4 Pages

Yash Patel Mrs. Choi AP Literature October 2015 1984 Dialectal Journals for Part 2 Text Response 1. “In front of him was an enemy who was trying to kill him; in front of him, also was a human creature… He had indistinctively started forward to help her,” (Orwell 106) This quote shows that even in this time where they live in a life where they are being manipulated, Winston is still living in a time where he is experiencing hatred, but still maintains what keeps him normal or humane, which keeps him separated from everyone else. This hate is showing that people still have hate for each other and still want to kill each other but it also shows the true human he is by helping her when she was threatened.

Read More

Examples Of Figurative Language In 1984 By George Orwell

504 Words | 3 Pages

As Winston overhears the man attempting to speak, he realizes that “from the stream of sound that poured out of [the man’s] mouth, it was almost impossible to distinguish a single word” (55). Here, the author’s description of it being “impossible” to understand speech suggests the further destruction of human traits. This becomes another clear example of how the Party takes full control and deletes relics from the past, as well as normal traits that characterize a human, such as speech. The use of the metaphor “stream of sound” does not portray human characteristics since people usually talk with spaces between words. Taking away communication between others displays the everlasting reign of a totalitarian government, and how much havoc it can cause with the rest of society.

Read More

Outline For George Orwell's '1984'

724 Words | 3 Pages

Essay Organizer Template Introduction -Attention-grabber: Do you understand the value of the words in our languages. -Transition/Background information: 1984, by George Orwell, is about a man named Winston who is trying to make a difference in a dystopian London. -Thesis/claim: Language is the very foundation of thought and when it 's destroyed people lose a sense of who they are.

Read More

1984 Winston's Desire For Change

748 Words | 3 Pages

In Winston’s believes, liberation is an entity hidden behind a mist of futility, an endless cycle of failed uprisings caused by the insolence of the general masses. The cycle also represents the situation that Winston finds himself within, regardless of his awareness he is still paralyzed by the irrational animalistic instinct to cower in fear of the party’s promised punishment. Resulting in his apathy towards revolution which causes him to abstain from any true revolutionary undertaking; as a result, the cycle of despair continues infinitely. Moreover, the paradox may highlight the extent of Winston’s indoctrination by the party. Winston views the revolution as fantastical due to the Proles oblivious nature, which is an assumption that is made by Winson as a result of party propaganda, which states that all “proles and animals are free”.

Read More

George Orwell 1984 Figurative Language

1130 Words | 5 Pages

Language: “The voice came from an oblong metal plaque like a dulled mirror which formed part of the surface of the right-hand wall.” (2) “Day and night the telescreens bruised your ears with statistics proving that people today had more food, more clothes, better houses, better recreations... Not a word of it could be proved or disproved... It was like a single equation with two unknowns” (74) L(1) George Orwell, the author of 1984, uses figurative language within this quote with a perfectly crafted simile.

Read More

Use Of Figurative Language In 1984 By George Orwell

264 Words | 2 Pages

Question: How does George Orwell use language to convey a dystopian world? Through the use of figurative language, and atmosphere, George Orwell manages to convey language as a powerful tool in Dystopian Societies. In Orwell’s book “1984” George Orwell conveys language by actually restricting certain words, and creating a new language in entirety, named “Newspeak” which is created to minimize any negative concepts stirred by the followers of the Dystopian Society, which removes and limits “bad” words that pose a threat to the society. Which in turn, Orwell manages to create entire languages, such as Newspeak, as an official “language” in Dystopian Societies by masking rebellious, and “bad” words, and instead replacing them with colloquialisms

Read More

Similarities Between 1984 And The Handmaid's Tale

342 Words | 2 Pages

Language is a major themes in both novels “1984” by George Orwell and “The Handmaid’s Tale” by Margaret Atwool. Language are heavily reshape in both novel in order to crave a goal to control individuals. “1984” creates authority over citizens through altering and reducing the English language to its most basic form. To “return” to the root of English, the Party have to eliminate the complexity of the language - synonyms and subtle meaning of words -from the existence of the people minds in the apparent belief that there is no justification from antonyms and ‘shades of meanings’, and only one concept should only subsist . However the true purpose of simplifying language and destroying words is to eliminate concepts that might led to the idealism of rebellion and disobedience; The Party does not want the thoughts of rebellion and disobedience to exist therefore they have to destroy and simplify to a huge extent.

Read More

Dystopian Society In 1984 George Orwell

955 Words | 4 Pages

If words are removed that can be used in a negative way than once they all are removed there is only words that can be used positively. In 1984 we see this by Oldspeak turning into Newspeak. We see Winston work on the Old Speak to get rid of any words the government thinks can be used negatively towards them. The narrator stats, “ ake ‘good,’ for instance. If you have a word like ‘good,’ what need is there for a word like ‘bad’?

Read More

Dehumanization Of Offensive Language In 1984 By George Orwell

1939 Words | 8 Pages

Some might argue that sanitizing the novel to conform to contemporary sensitivities would detract from its authenticity as a portrayal of Orwell's time. While it is essential to understand the historical context, we must also recognize the potential harm caused by perpetuating outdated language and stereotypes in literature. Balancing historical accuracy with the responsibility to engage with evolving societal norms is crucial in preserving the novel's timeless themes while acknowledging its limitations. Supporters of this counterargument might point to passages in the novel that reflect the prevailing attitudes and language of Orwell's era. For instance, when Winston Smith reflects on the Party's views on women, he observes that "it was always the women, and above all the young ones, who were the most bigoted adherents of the Party, the swallowers of slogans, the amateur spies and nosers-out of unorthodoxy" (Orwell 119).

Read More

1984 Doublethink Analysis

925 Words | 4 Pages

Throughout the book the slogans of “war is peace, freedom is slavery, [and] ignorance is strength” is a forced acceptance by all citizens (Orwell 16). These particular slogans, that exemplify doublethink, are plastered everywhere. The illogicalness of doublethink completely surrounds the citizens, constantly exposing them to it. The second characteristic of monopoly over mass media is quite evident in Winston 's life. Government employees run the internet, newspapers, and radio/tv announcements.

Read More

George Orwell 1984 Adult Extract

242 Words | 1 Pages

In the extract from 1984, an absurd scene that the children accuse the adult is portrayed and a merciless community is revealed from the specific language usage. For instance, the usage of anaphora such as “ You’re a traitor! You’re a thought-criminal! You’re an Eurasian spy!” create a stronger sense of accusing Winston’s action.

Read More

Totalitarianism In George Orwell's 1984

1836 Words | 8 Pages

Orwell further elaborates on Winston’s individual understanding when he allows Syme to risk his own life whilst entrusting the future of Oceania within Winston’s intelligence. Syme convinces Winston through a series of praise, including, “You haven’t a real appreciation for newspeak Winston...even when you write it you’re still thinking in Oldspeak” (Orwell,51). As Syme proves to Winston that he has yet to conform and will fail to he presents many reasons not in, those in which Winston realizes he has already considered,furthering the idea that Winston will never be able to conform and he is too involved in the government, as well as intelligent to become so easily neutralized by Big Brother. Syme goes on to argue, “In the end the whole notion

Read More

Syme's Destruction Of Word

687 Words | 3 Pages

Syme often uses his credibility to explain to Winston why he is right and the destruction of words is the most magnificent process. Because he works in the ____ department rewriting dictionaries, Syme establishes his credibility as someone who knows more on the subject, so to Winston, he must be correct. Although Winston writes in Newspeak on a daily basis, Syme accuses Winston of not grasping the beauty of Newspeak: "In your heart you 'd prefer to stick to Old-speak, with all its vagueness and its useless shades of meaning." According to Orwell, Syme posses more knowledge on Newspeak, therefore, the destruction of words is for the better. The more destruction, the more beauty it brings.

Read More

Analysis Of Language In 1984 By George Orwell

1413 Words | 6 Pages

This is particularly evident in the story when the character Syme is tasked with creating a new version of the Newspeak dictionary and one day informs Winston of the fact that “Newspeak is the only language whose vocabulary gets smaller every year” (Orwell 52). This information exaggerates the slow process of language devolution and helps to enlighten unaware readers of the detrimental changes taking

Read More

What Is Realism In 1984 By George Orwell

1056 Words | 5 Pages

The novel 1984 by George Orwell reveals the destruction of all aspects of the universe. Orwell envisioned how he believes life would be like if a country were taken over by a totalitarian figure. Nineteen eighty-four effectively portrays a totalitarian style government, in which elected representatives maintain the integrity of a nation with very little citizen participation in the decision-making process of the legislative body. Although the authors ideas are inherently and completely fictional, several concepts throughout his book have common links to today’s society which is somehow a realist perspective. Orwell integrates devices such as irony, satire, and motifs to illustrate the life unfulfilling life of Winston Smith.

Read More

More about Dismissive Diction In George Orwell's '1984'

Related Topics

Open Document