The use of totalitarianism in modern day and in the novel 1984
Totalitarianism is a form of government that seeks to control every aspect of people’s lives, from their thoughts and beliefs to their actions and behaviours. Totalitarian regimes often use propaganda, censorship, surveillance, and repression to maintain their power and ideology. One of the most famous examples of a totalitarian society in literature is George Orwell's novel "Nineteen Eighty-Four", which depicts a dystopian world where a party led by Big Brother rules over the masses with an iron fist. Published in 1949, Orwell's work paints a haunting picture of a society ruled by a totalitarian regime known as the Party. The Party's control is best exemplified through the character
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Winston's rebellion against the Party's oppressive rule and his attempts to assert his individuality ultimately lead to his arrest, torture, and reprogramming. Through Winston's experiences, Orwell highlights the suffocating nature of a totalitarian society, where any form of resistance is crushed, and individuality is eradicated. Through its gripping portrayal of totalitarianism's devastating effects, "Nineteen Eighty-Four" forces us to confront the haunting question: What happens when freedom and autonomy are stripped away? In this essay, I will compare and contrast the theme of totalitarianism in "Nineteen Eighty-Four" with its relevance to contemporary societies such as North Korea. By examining governments' use of totalitarianism and its effects on different groups of people, we can gain insight into the devastating consequences of such systems. This analysis will shed light on the need to …show more content…
In George Orwell's novel "Nineteen Eighty-Four," the Party's use of surveillance is a central aspect of its oppressive regime. The omnipresent telescreens, an embodiment of Big Brother's watchful eye, infiltrate every aspect of daily life, leaving no space for privacy or individual autonomy (Orwell 3). This relentless surveillance is not limited to public spaces but extends into the privacy of people's homes, leaving individuals with no escape from the watchful eyes of the Party. This constant state of surveillance serves multiple purposes: to deter any form of dissent, to ensure compliance with the Party's ideologies, and to instill fear and obedience among the populace. This pervasive surveillance is a crucial aspect of the Party's control over the minds and actions of its citizens, instilling fear and preventing any form of dissent. Interestingly, the use of surveillance to enforce totalitarian control in "Nineteen Eighty-Four" finds echoes in the modern-day regime of Kim Jong Un in North Korea. According to "Inside North Korea's Totalitarian Regime" by The Washington Post, the North Korean government has built an extensive surveillance network using surveillance cameras, informants, and constant monitoring to ensure strict control over its citizens (“Kim Jong Un’s North Korea: Life Inside the Totalitarian State”).