Throughout history, the desire for power has resulted in wars, deaths, and corrupt regimes. Similarly, in a totalitarian government, the state dictates its citizens using propaganda and fear in order to maintain power. In the novel 1984, the nation of Oceania is ruled by a totalitarian government, known as the Party, which constantly monitors the behaviors and thoughts of the citizens. Orwell highlights the Party’s unjust government structure through the protagonist, Winston Smith, as he goes through two significant character changes. Over the course of the novel, Winston transitions from an ordinary citizen to a secret rebel and then back to a lifeless slave for the party.
1984 Analysis George Orwell’s 1984 has significant relevance to today’s society because of the abuse of power over the people by the government. Although most governments today don’t watch their citizen’s every move, or torture them into believing that two plus two could equal five and/or three, that might not be too far in the future. There are several symbol of the Party’s complete control over the free life, language, and emotions of the citizens. Body 1: To begin, the Party has significant power over the people, even to go as far arresting them for “thoughtcrime” which is when you think of things that are considered illegal by the Party. The free life of the people of Oceania was not actually free, or the people’s.
Throughout the novel, The 1984, the theme of totalitarianism is very present and significant, it defines the structure of government and life for the protagonist, Winston Smith. The environment around Winston Smith, and the rest of the citizens of Oceania is highly controlled by the government through surveillance and propaganda. A totalitarian government is a centralized governing style that seeks absolute control over everything, what people’s actions are, their level of freedom, and even what people think and believe. The governmental power that embodies the citizens of Oceania creates a lack of freedom, and lack of identity. The people of Oceania no longer have the ability to express themselves or change themselves to be different from
The entirety of a country being controlled and fooled without their knowledge is the theme depicted in George Orwell’s novel 1984. The novel 1984 is a story that illustrates the use of totalitarianism and the means necessary to maintain power. It follows Winston Smith, a man who attempts to overthrow and expose the government for what it truly is. In the end, he is unsuccessful in defeating the totalitarian system and becomes a puppet for the government. The dominant theme in 1984 is the use and effects of manipulation, which is constantly developed throughout the story with the use of propaganda and a further understanding of the Party.
Achieving Totalitarianism in 1984 Before the concept of government existed mankind still attempted to gain dominance over one another. Once the concept was developed governments remained constant in their attempts to gain control of their people and other nations. Adolf Hitler and other dictators were prime examples of totalitarianism “attempt[ing] to control every aspect of its subjects, viewing any sign of independence as treasonous centralized party” ( Quinn 1). George Orwell noticed this tug of war for control and wrote about it in his novel. In George Orwell’s 1984, Oceania achieves a utopia through totalitarianism.
The Impact of Perspective on the Dystopian Protagonist in 1984 The essence of dystopia cannot be captured without the inclusion of the main protagonist. In 1984, readers are provided with a sense of being in the novel’s dystopian society through the perspective of Winston, who evokes emotions and opinions about the tyrannical society in which he inhabits. Additionally, Winston’s rebellious actions throughout the novel further demonstrate his defiance against the party. In 1984, George Orwell effectively represents Winston Smith as a dystopian protagonist by developing his perspective on the society around ultimately influencing the revolutionary actions he takes throughout the novel.
These elements are also reflective of troubling trends in society today; just like in George Orwell’s 1984 dystopian novel. 1984 is a dystopian world taking place in London, Oceania where they are constantly being watched at all times to make sure there are no acts of rebellion and to only praise one leader (big brother). People
There are different aspects throughout 1984 that we, in present day, share with the made up world of Oceania, making our world seem more and more like a dystopia every day. In 1984, George Orwell creates a tragic society in which the government has gained complete control over their citizens by gaslighting and manipulating them. Although present day civilization is not currently at the stage that is shown in the book, it is starting to show symptoms that Oceania contains, such as thought control, invasion of personal privacy, and the ignorance and conformity of the greater population. The first notable grasp that the Party has on its inhabitants is thought control.
Fabricating Opposition: Dystopia Reveals How Totalitarianism Uses Enemies to Control Throughout human history, generating fear has been one of the most successful methods of controlling a group of people. By fabricating an enemy, a tyrannical government can shape the population to its benefit. 1984 shows a totalitarian society where the government has total control over both the physical aspects of everyday life as well as the psychological side of it. Through methods such as extreme surveillance and the Thought Police, the party, Ingsoc, can control the people they believe have the capability to be a threat.
A dystopian society is a dehumanizing and as unpleasant place that is the opposite of perfect. In 1984 Oceania is considered to be a dystopia with a totalitarian government running the country. The main character, Winston Smith, is one who is not too happy with his living condition in the society and hates everything the government represents. However a revolt is near to impossible to complete and has never happened before. Anyone who has tried is not a person in the society anymore.
America’s Dystopia Today’s society has experienced tremendous advances in technology. Yet, many of these advancements come with potential drawbacks, comparable to those seen in George Orwell’s 1984: a vintage dystopian novel depicting a government with complete control over its citizens. The dystopian government, known as The Party, propagates against and oppresses its citizens using a wide variety of methods as a means of maintaining order and power. 21st-century America is developing troublesome dystopian qualities similar to those in George Orwells’ 1984, seen through information and independent thought being restricted, thus causing citizens to live in a dehumanized state Throughout history, ruling parties have restricted independent thought
The Party in 1984 Oceania has one main goal: keep the citizens under their complete control. The Party as a group is a massive force that will stop for nothing. Their altercation of the past and the spewing of propaganda tv’s keep the people believing the Party’s every word. The corruption has gone so far that they even drag on wars to make people have a strong sense of togetherness and nationalism. In the book 1984, the villainous qualities of the Party create the biggest impact on the story by causing hatred, converting minds, and creating a new Winston.
In the movie, “A Beautiful Mind,” the main character, John Nash, experiences constant hallucinations and believes his undercover work is in real life, despite it actually being all part of his own imagination. This affirms that victims of schizophrenia are unaware that their hallucinations and delusions have no reasoning to them in the eyes of others, such as their friends and family. This concept mirrors the lifestyle of Hamlet in William Shakespeare’s play, Hamlet, when he claims to be feigning madness. While one may argue that Hamlet is able to portray insanity as part of his plan to avenge his father’s death, Hamlet displays multiple symptoms of schizophrenia, including hallucinations, the will for isolation, depression, sudden aggression,
Dystopian societies are characterized by degrading and devastating environments. The Road has a moral hierarchy that allows people to decide information and survival for future generations during devastation. 1984 focuses on a totalitarian government that creates holes in memory and history, while forcing citizens to ignore these changes through degrading punishments. As society advances with technology and government ‘programs’, citizens realize the catastrophic changes these advances cause, inducing fear. The sciences behind humanity’s biological needs are in jeopardy as governments are able to pick and choose what the population does and knows about them.
The Party is able to shape millions of minds through propaganda techniques, which shows the control the Party has on society. When there are certain expectations held in society, it can cause fear among people, so they are more willing to follow those expectations. If the Party or a dystopian government can successfully manipulate its citizens, then they can receive absolute power and control in society. Orwell’s novel 1984 follows many common characteristics of dystopia by the persuasion of propaganda, the brainwashing of citizens, and a uniform lifestyle is integrated to please Big Brother and the Party which highlights their power. The Party controls propaganda and expectations in Oceania to make the citizens think and act a certain way, which dehumanizes them.
