Examples Of Hope In 1984 By George Orwell

A Sense of Hope

Toward the beginning of Orwell’s novel, which illustrates the possibility of a dystopian society, the protagonist, Winston, who lives in a totalitarian estate and appears to be the only citizen aware of its awfulness, reads, “Who controls the past controls the future. Who controls the present controls the past” (Page 34). This reading illustrates the dystopian society that the Party has created in order to maintain their totalitarian rule in Oceania. From the illustration, the reader learns that the Party has destroyed history in order to appear more powerful. In order to maintain their power, citizens are constantly monitored by telescreens, televisions that are used for party propaganda, spying, and promotion of Big Brother,

However, religious scenes allude to the Party’s destruction of the past in order to maintain power. The rhyme of St. Clement illustrates the importance of religion, which the Party later destroys. It reads, “Here comes a candle to light you to bed, Here comes a chopper to chop off your head” (Page 98). Orwell uses the light to signify the righteousness of religion which is embodied by the church. Chopping signifies the Party’s destruction of light or pursuit of religion. Similarly, the Party’s use of the church of St. Martin for a museum which contains displays of bombs, Floating Fortresses, and the enemy’s atrocities, demonstrates the destruction of religion for the benefit of the Party. The belfry’s eradication from an atomic bomb finalizes Orwell’s use of religious scenes as an example of how the party destroys religious sanctuaries as a way to maintain power. Finally, O’Brien’s completion of the last line of the rhyme of St. Clements signifies the parties total control of religion and thus a sanctuary for the citizens of Oceania. The Party eliminates the value of nature and religion in order for the population’s complete submission to Big

While Winston resides in nature, there is a cleansing and purifying sense among Winston. However, Winston’s ulcer worsens when he does not experience the outdoors. Winston observes, “the varicose ulcer was an inflamed mass with flakes of skin peeling off it” (Page 271). The inflammation of the ulcer represents the pain that Winston experiences when he does not spend time in nature or with Julia. Thus, the Party takes away the joy of nature and Julia so that Winston remains loyal to Party activities. Furthermore, participation in religion conveys that a being above Big Brother exists. Thus, the destruction of all religious buildings and events becomes necessary in order for the population to dedicate the time spent on religion to Big Brother. To reach full dedication to the Party, the enforcers need to abolish all means of escape of Party life. Thus, the eradication of the refuge from religion and nature emphasizes the Party’s control over its population, the people’s future dedication to the Party, and the full awareness of the activities that the Party