Totalitarianism is a system of government that is centralized and dictatorial and requires complete subservience to the state. 1984 Is the concept of what a complete totalitarian government could’ve been. 1984 brings in multiple ideas and concepts that represent our current world, using Proles, Goldstein, Telescreens, and doublethink to represent this. An example of the poor/working class translated to both sides of this is the Proles, the Proles are the 85% of Oceania’s workforce. They are the physically strong, yet unconscious mass of people.
This nightmare is becoming more like our own because of our need to act within the boundaries of society. People think that they need to agree with everyone else just so they will be liked. People want to be accepted and might change or be forced to fit the ideal image of what society wants them to be. This in turn creates a society which has one or two basic ideas. Some basic examples from 2016 consist of Democrats and Republicans, optimists and pessimists, lastly the followers and the leaders.
According to Merriam-Webster, totalitarianism is defined as “the political concept that the citizen should be totally subject to an absolute state authority.” This concept has been used in countries including North Korea, the Soviet Union, and Iraq, by the leaders, Kim Jong Un, Joseph Stalin, and Saddam Hussein, respectively. In addition, totalitarianism is a prevalent concept in George Orwell’s 1984, due to the repressive nature of the Party. This is exemplified in their use of censorship, indoctrination, secret police, and other methods of absolute control. The totalitarian government shown in North Korea, Iraq, the Soviet Union, as well as in George Orwell’s 1984, is unethical and infringes on the people’s basic rights as stated by “The
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
In the novel 1984 by George Orwell, cruelty is commonly used by the party to gain power over the nation of Oceania, which is used to create the overall theme of totalitarianism. The cruelty throughout the novel, which is seen in moments such as; when Winston, the main character, catches himself going against the ideals of the party, when Winston and Julia, Winston’s love interest, get caught together, and when Winston is sent to Room 101. This shows that cruelty creates a basis of fear in each person throughout the work as a whole. In the beginning of the novel Winston constantly finds himself committing thoughtcrime, which is when someone thinks of something that does not “align” with what the Party says.
In George Orwell’s novel 1984, it characterizes Winston’s behavior as a man who is outwardly conforms and inwardly conforming. The action of outwardly conforming and inwardly relates to the theme of the dangerous totalitarianism. In the opening of the novel, Winston feels frustrated by the party and when he purchases a diary, he writes his thoughts. Therefore, He exemplifies groupthink because Winston offers clear examples and he also shows that he is “re-directing” the feelings on hate. The reason I say “re-directing” because he’s referring something new or to a different place.
In novel 1984, George Orwell creates a dark, totalitarianism society where the party controls everything of the citizen. The protagonist Winston works in the ministry of truth, where the fake news and wrong historical records are made. He knows the dark truth about the ministry of love and the party,he is an effective example of a rebel. This is demonstrated through his individual thoughts and behavior, which is considered as a crime. First of all,His individual thoughts caused his rebellion against the party.
Sofia Navarro Mrs. Yarbrough English 10 Honors B5 30 April 2024 A Change of Perspective Fear is a powerful emotion that holds the capability to restrict the want for freedom. Fear tactics are used to control populations, this is seen in totalitarian regimes. Totalitarian governments control all aspects of a society, this includes the citizens actions. These controlling governments inspired George Orwell’s novel, 1984. 1984 captures the protagonist, Winston, and his struggles of living in an oppressive government.
In George Orwell’s tale of a dystopian London, we follow our main character on a journey through London in 1984. The future has been overtaken by totalitarian dictators known only as “Big Brother” who want nothing but the control of their populace subjecting them to mandatory activities which none want a partake in; as well as executing and eradicating people and groups of people on account of their views not lining up with their own. Totalitarianism was what everyone at that time feared, especially in the United States, The land of the free; In the story Orwell uses numerous forms of symbolism, imagery and allusion to convey a sense of worry and desperation which all the people in this totalitarian future feel day to day. We are going to delve deeper into the meaning behind Orwell’s views on the totalitarian rule in his beautifully crafted parable.
1984 is a warning that was written by George Orwell. He wrote this warning to the educated people of the time warning them what life could be like for them in the future. The world of Oceania is where the book takes place and it is a dystopian society. The world of Oceania in 1984 is a dystopia because the Party has a totalitarian state, individual expression is not allowed and the Party uses manipulation against its citizens.
The novel 1984, written by George Orwell, is set in a dystopian totalitarian society. London, England is now part of a community a wider community of nations called “Oceania”. The book follows our main character, Winston Smith, as he tries to navigate through life under a watchful government. The totalitarian authority controls all aspects of the civilians' lives and even their thoughts. The first chapter paints a bleak and oppressive world for the reader by introducing us to the “Victory Mansions”.
Imagination allows people to escape the hardships reality presents by fostering some sort of dreams; without it people would be incapable of setting goals to become something they have always desired. Imagine yourself in the novel, “1984”, in which an author by the name of George Orwell depicts characters who imagine themselves rebelling against a totalitarian government. The government does not permit any contradicting views of the control it has over the people and it annihilates anyone who shows signs of rebellion. The totalitarian government, also known as Big Brother, has complete control over the lives of the people living in Oceania, the city where the novel takes place. Any dreams the characters once had are suppressed into memories locked away in fear of being perceived as a traitor of the
When Faced With Tyranny When one is faced with an oppressive government, they can lose control over all aspects of their daily lives. It is also easy for one to lose authority over themselves when faced with a stronger force. What might one’s response be when they possess little to no control over their lives? Many people may blindly follow society, but others might choose to disobey the rules. In 1984 by George Orwell, Winston Smith’s defiant nature and curious attitude display that one may turn to rebellion when faced with tyranny.
In 1949, a man predicted the domination of citizens by the totalitarian government and their custom of technologies to dictate the society. His name is George Orwell, a well-known British author, who wrote one of the most famous dystopian novels, 1984. The novel 1984 illustrates the totalitarian society and the life of Winston Smith, who works at the Ministry of truth and his humiliation by the party of the country, Oceania. George Orwell’s exaggeration and mockery of the totalitarian governments in the novel 1984 is now turning out to be one of the nightmare come true in our modern society.
Totalitarianism in 1984 and the Real World The concept of a totalitarian society is a major theme throughout the novel 1984. This theme of totalitarianism can also be applied to the world today. The definition of totalitarianism, a concept used by some political scientists, is a state which holds total authority over the society and seeks to control all aspects of public and private life wherever possible. Totalitarianism can be related between the novel 1984 and current events in the real world. George Orwell incorporated the theme of totalitarianism into his novel 1984 to display the ever changing world around him during the time it was written.
