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Effects Of Society In 1984 By George Orwell

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Oceania; The Never-Ending Society

Humans need three things to remain humane: thoughts, feelings, and a way to express them. But what happens when it's stripped away? If everyone is forced to think the same things, are they even considered humans at that point? Now think in terms of a society. Ignorance in citizens means relying on the total government power. In George Orwell’s novel 1984, Winston’s ability to have personal thoughts and feelings allows him to stand out in a world completely controlled by the government and enables him to want to rebel and live like he believes he once did; however, the leading power Big Brother strips the citizens of their personal thoughts and knowledge through torture and manipulation. While Winston …show more content…

In this language, we are introduced to terms like “good”and “un-good” (Orwell 27). Without a multitude of words to express their feelings, the citizens of Oceania are left feeling one way: dehumanized. The people of Oceania are narrow-minded because of their lack of vocabulary. This is exactly what Big Brother wants. He wants the people to be stripped of their knowledge because it makes them one thing: ignorant. Ignorance leads them to rely more on the government, which makes the government stronger. Big Brother is the omnipresent symbol of the party. It essentially has control over everything in Oceania. Therefore, with all the people relying too heavily on the government, it causes a power …show more content…

Early on in his visit, Winston is brutally pierced with a needle until he admits that O’brein is holding up four fingers, when he is actually holding up five (Orwell 315). O’brein uses pain to make Winston vulnerable, and get him to adhere to his ways. At this point, Wnston knows deep down that he only saw four but he wanted the pain to stop. He is fighting a battle within his own mind. He knows there are only four fingers there but O’brien is beginning to sway him. Eventually, after spending days being tortured by O’brien, Wiston actually begins to accept his fate (Orwell 330). Through this method of torture, it essentially makes it impossible for thought crime to happen again for that person. The thought might cross their mind, but they aren’t going to risk getting tortured

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