Examples Of Constructivism In 1984 By George Orwell

George Orwell’s 1984 provides a very bleak and dreary look at a future in a world where societal norms and social cues are the main source of life. Constructivism is everywhere in this novel; from the language they speak to the relationships they develop. Everything is predetermined by the government, or “Big Brother '' and those who refuse to conform are viewed as threats and sent away to be re-educated. Many of constructivism’s main points are demonstrated throughout the novel, especially the value of societal norms, the need for structure and order, and interests of the state. Orwell took the approach of writing this novel from the perspective of an all-knowing figure observing primarily a character named Winston. Winston was born into

Common things like the name of the country, England, have been altered into a new identity in order to fit the needs of the “party”. England, or as it is called in the book, “Airstrip One, Oceana” has been adopted into society as normal and no one questions the authority of the state to do so. People simply acknowledge this as acceptable by the government, and in their world, it is since it all they have ever known. Winston however, working for the Ministry of Truth as a censure agent, decides he does not agree with the power of the party and begins to both study and use these new words and phrases that have long been forgotten, and the party begins to take

1984 does an excellent job of demonstrating how state interest impacts the construction and functionality of a state. For the nation to be successful, everyone must follow the absolute rule of the government and conform to the policies it has deemed normal. Those who do not are never heard from again. In this example, totalitarian rule and complete acceptance of the state are viewed as in the best interest of everyone. This identity is well known and only a small group, like Winston and Julia, choose to violate it. Typically, this did not end well for the party and it felt it must protect both its structure and its interest and prevent this from happening.
While constructivism is the very basis of the government’s power in this novel, it also shows strong themes of Marxism. Written and set during the Cold War, many of the norms the citizens follow, like the censorship of language and media to the all-knowing “Big Brother” are derived from the Soviet Union. The ending of the story, for example, involves the state capturing both Julia and Winston and charging them for their crimes of avoiding state policy and associating with each other. They are both brutally tortured and “re-educated” or forced to adopt the policies