George Orwell 1984 Research Paper

George Orwell’s 1984, is a powerful dystopian novel published in 1949. Orwell admitted to being influenced by previous works of the time such as Aldous Huxley’s Brave New World. He had already written one book in response to Huxley’s masterpiece, Animal Farm, showing the dangers of a communist society. The book follows Winston Smith, a member of the mysterious and powerful Party that rules all of Oceania. He is doubting the legitimacy of his overlords because of their habits of changing history and making citizens disappear. They are a nefarious organization that wants to have absolute power over their subjects in the privileged Inner Party as well as the struggling Outer Party, of which Winston is a member. Orwell tells Winston’s story as

Then he continues his daily life of changing history for the Party, as his job is editing old newspapers to bring continuity to the lies that the Party tells their subjects. He grows more resentful of the Party with every passing day until one day a woman with dark hair passes him a note that says just three words, “I love you”. Winston then meets with her, learning that her name is Julia, and they arrange a meeting and begin an affair. Extra-marital sex is a crime punishable by death in Oceania and they take great risks every time they meet. These acts are exhilarating to both of them and kindles a fire for rebellion in their souls. In the meantime Winston is contacted by a member of the Inner Party named O’Brien that Winston is convinced is a member of the Brotherhood, an organization attempting to overthrow the Party. Winston and Julia meet with O’Brien and join the Brotherhood. This leads to their capture and separation. Winston is tortured for what could have been months or years by O’Brien, who had been posing as a Brotherhood member. O’Brien pushes Winston past his limit with beatings and electrocution until eventually, in the notorious Room 101, he is exposed to his greatest fear which happens to be