Examples Of Surveillance In 1984 By George Orwell

In today’s society, surveillance is on the rise because many people feel that this constant watchfulness through individual devices ensures people’s safety. However, individuals are unaware of how this surveillance actually controls their daily lives by shaping their behavior, limiting their freedom, and eroding their privacy without their consent. In George Orwell’s 1984, surveillance serves as a tool for the ruling Party to exert control over individuals, gradually eroding their privacy and freedom, ultimately leading to a society where constant observation becomes normalized without full awareness of its consequences. Throughout the novel, the Party increases surveillance over Winston, and creates fear in him in order to manipulate Winston’s

Initially, the Party, although there may not be telescreens, is continuing its watch on Winston using other surveillance methods, rather than telescreens. Winston was waiting for Julia to arrive at the clearing and pondered how the Party could be listening. Winston thought to himself, “[i]n general you would assume that you were much safer in the country than in London. There were no telescreens, of course, but there was always the danger of concealed microphones by which your voice might be picked up and recognized” (Orwell 123). The Party’s gradual surveillance is clear as is the Party’s ability to monitor him without his knowledge since there were “no telescreens” which increases his anxiety about him being watched and listened to. The mention of “concealed microphones” highlights the Party’s subtle surveillance tactics, which contribute to Winston’s constant sense of unease as the microphones worked like the telescreen in his apartment, being able to pick up the slightest of sounds. This supports the idea that the Party’s surveillance methods gradually tighten their grip on Winston, making him wary of rebelling, even in seemingly safe places. Moreover, this further surveillance causes Winston to fear the rebellion with Julia. Winston and Julia happen to be talking in the clearing about how she knew that Winston was against the Party. Winston realizes, “[t]hen it appeared, meant the Party, about when she talked with an open jeering hatred which made Winston feel uneasy” (Orwell 128). The Party’s gradual control over Winston’s fear is clear as he becomes “uneasy” with openly criticizing the Party as he believes that he and Julia are being constantly listened to. Even though both Winston and