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Examples Of Totalitarianism In 1984

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Totalitarianism in 1984
Orwell's portrayal of the totalitarian state in 1984 is a reflection of the political climate of his time and a warning of the potential for abuse of power in any society. 1984 is a dystopian novel that illustrates many warnings against the dangers of totalitarianism, and portrays the dehumanization and suppression of moral strength. By applying imagery, symbolism, and characterization, Orwell develops the central theme that total control over the people can lead to the destroyment of individuality and freedom. The novel serves as a cautionary story about the consequences of forsaking freedom and self-determination for the “benefit” of the party. Orwell's use of vivid imagery, symbolism, and characterization highlights …show more content…

In 1984, George Orwell utilizes symbolism throughout the novel to emphasize the theme. One of the most distinguished examples of symbolism is the telescreen, which serves as a tool of propaganda and as a tool of surveillance. The telescreen illustrates the government's aspiration for complete control over the physical and mental actions of the citizens. Winston's unsuccessful attempts to find a private space where he can escape the surveillance of the telescreens demonstrate the extent in which the government will take to invade the private lives of the citizens. The telescreen surveillance is evident when Winston notes, "There was of course no way of knowing whether you were being watched at any given moment" (Orwell 3). The telescreen not only represents the government's control but also the harm of individuality and privacy caused by the use of it. The government's ability to monitor its citizens at all times eliminates any possibility of personal privacy or freedom.The telescreen's function as a tool of propaganda is perceivable through its ability to broadcast government-approved content, including news, entertainment, and even exercises. The constant deluge of government-approved content not only serves to manipulate the thoughts and actions of the citizens, but it also suppresses their freedom. The telescreen symbolizes the government's ability to manipulate its citizens' minds and suppress their unique thoughts and ideas. Furthermore, the telescreen's physical presence in the homes of the citizens represents the government's control over their personal space. This is proved when Winston states, "The telescreen received and transmitted simultaneously. Any sound that Winston made, above the level of a very low whisper, would be picked up by it, moreover, so long as he remained within the field of vision which the metal plaque commanded, he could be seen as well as heard" (Orwell

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Marcelo Navarro Mr. duryea English 12 March 15, 2018 Inhumane The Book 1984 is a book based on a totalitarian government where the government has complete and total control over every aspect of someone's life. In 1984 you couldn't even have privacy in your own home, you would be under constant supervision and if you were caught doing something illegal the thought police would come and arrest you. In 1984 the government controlled its people through fear, the people of 1984 where always scared of being caught doing anything illegal and where also scared because the government would bomb itself saying that they were in a war. This book shows what could happen if people would let

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In both 1984 by George Orwell, and The Veldt by Ray Bradbury, the themes presented are both able to present a clear warning to the readers of the power of technology, and the damaging power it can have on our lives. In Part 1 of 1984, The Inner Party establishes a facade of protection to gain control over Oceania and the citizens. This is mainly achieved through the technological advances that gives The Party authority over people 's actions because of the 24/7 surveillance of their every move. At the beginning of the novel, protagonist Wilson says “the instrument (telescreens) could be dimmed but there was no way of shutting it off altogether” (8). These telescreens are used to minimise the amount of Thoughtcrime, which, in Oceania, violates

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From Orwell’s novel, “1984”, it can be determined that his opinion on the most powerful means of control by the government would be the government’s use of fear to instill paranoia among the people. One powerful piece of corroboration for fear to paranoia would be Oceania’s obvious, and constant, use of technology to fulfill this goal. Take, for instance, the telescreens. Because of their existence in every buildings’ rooms and corners, they can be easily used to keep an eye on party members, and if need be, used to track their location and arrest them. Winston experiences the surveillance inflicted by the government during one of his daily workouts,as right when he stopped trying in order to ponder the conspiracies surrounding the party,

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In George Orwell’s 1984, he portrays technological advancements as the government is in control. When the author first introduces the telescreens, he writes “the voice came from an oblong metal plaque,” giving the characteristics of the telescreen and its functions (Orwell 4). Telescreens that serve both as a source of information and a tool of surveillance characterize the novel’s dystopian society. The telescreens are used by Thought Police (Government Officials) to catch anyone who says things filthy against the government or who goes away from the party’s ideology. Another example of the government’s use of technology for control is the invention of the “memory hole” a device “that a document was due for destruction,” (Orwell 37).

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The telescreens are just an example of how controlling The Party is and how strict they are on their rules. Another way George Orwell's 1984 shows relevance in today's world is the way people were affected and treated during the times of 1984 and during Covid. Between the current day and the time of 1984 we see a lot of similarities with how the government brainwashes and manipulates the people. In 1984 the party had control over everybody and their lives, and everyone had to live by the party's rules. In today's world people are controlled by the government but it's just a little

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Throughout the novel, Winston Smith regularly reminds the reader of the civilians’ lack of privacy due to the government’s ability to see everything. One prominent concept that reappeared numerous times throughout the story was The Party’s usage of a device known as “telescreens”. These televisions, although typically harmless to the real world, are tools The Party uses to monitor the lives of every individual within Oceania.

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As Orwell explains, "The telescreen received and transmitted simultaneously. Any sound that Winston made, above the level of a very low whisper, would be picked up by it, moreover, so long as he remained within the field of vision which the metal plaque commanded, he could be seen as well as heard" (5). Orwell also states, "The instrument (the telescreen, it was called) could be dimmed, but there was no way of shutting it off completely.."(4). This demonstrates power in the form of control over the citizens because the government is constantly listening to the citizens as well as forcing them to watch government propaganda. The theme of power is also developed through the use of manipulation

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It is a very powerful tool which has been utilized by the Inner Party throughout the story. George Orwell goes on to describe these devices, stating that the telescreen “received and transmitted simultaneously. Any sound that Winston made, above the level of a very low whisper, would be picked up by it, moreover, so long as he remained within the field of vision which the metal plaque commanded, he could be seen as well as heard” (Orwell 3). Winston lives in constant stress of being both watched and listened to by members of the Inner Party. He, along with every other member of the Outer Party, are monitored by telescreens at all times.

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Surveillance 1984, by George Orwell, is a magnificent dystopian novel about a society with a totalitarian government. Winston, the protagonist in 1984, is a confused resident in the city of Oceania. He is constantly questioning the government in a society where an opinion is not allowed. Surveillance is a method that the government uses to monitor all citizens and keep them under control. The government uses surveillance through telescreens, the Thought Police, and people who seem friendly, but are not.

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Winston’s suspicion of the technology around him conveys his wariness of the party, displaying key traits of a dystopian protagonist. The telescreen in Winston’s room is described as “in an unusual position. Instead of being placed, as was normal, in the end wall, where it could command the whole room, it was in the longer wall, opposite the window” (12). Orwell's description of the telescreen as “commanding”, implicates power and control surrounding the object. Winston’s avoidance of the telescreen implies he is aware of the surveillance and suspicion stemming from the device, further supported by his intentional action of sitting out of view from the telescreen.

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Additionally, telescreens have the ability to watch you at any time of the day. Orwell explains that “The telescreen received and transmitted simultaneously. Any sound that Winston made, above the level of a very low whisper, would be picked up by it… There was of course no way of knowing whether you were being watched at any given moment” (Orwell 5). The deviousness of Big Brother helps greatly in catching offenders of the law.

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Not only do the telescreens watch people, but the Thought Police is enlisted by the Party to seek out those that could be conspiring against Big Brother. They were unknown and “there was of course no way of knowing whether you were being watched at any given moment,” (3). These people that worked as the Thought Police were unknown by any citizen, making it so that it was impossible to trust whomever individual one spoke to. This made it so that all individuals would not think to conspire against the Party because it was impossible not to be detected by the telescreen or the Thought Police. Along with having the telescreens and the Thought Police physically watching every move an individual makes, the posters of Big Brother

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In the book 1984, the Party has put telescreens, like a camera, in the houses of the people and all around the community. They employ it to keep an eye on their members; “the telescreen received and transmitted simultaneously. Any sound that Winston made, above the level of a very low whisper, would be picked up by it; moreover, so long as he remained within the field of vision which the metal plaque commanded, he could be seen as well as heard. There was of course no way of knowing whether you were being watched at any given moment.” (Orwell

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In 1984, George Orwell depicts a dystopian society pervaded by government control and the obsolescence of human emotion and society. Winston is forced to confront the reality of a totalitarian rule where the residents of Oceania are manipulated to ensure absolute government control and servitude of the people. The theme of totalitarianism and dystopia is employed in 1984 to grant absolute power to the government and ensure the deference of the people through the proliferation of propaganda, the repudiation of privacy and freedom, and the eradication of human thought and values. The repudiation of privacy and independent thought and the ubiquity of government surveillance is employed to secure absolute power to the government over the populace

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It controls what people do on a regular basis. In a quote from the book, it says, “Any sound that Winston made, above the level of a very low whisper, would be picked up by it; moreover, as long as he remained within the field of vision which the metal plaque commanded, he could be seen as well as heard. (3)” This represents the power and control that the telescreen and the Party have over the people. If you stay in the vision of the telescreen, which is 90 percent of the time, the government will know exactly what you are doing.

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