ipl-logo

George Orwell Xenophobia In 1984

1286 Words6 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: The dangers of a totalitarian state from orwell 1984

Breaking News: 87-year old Chinese woman beaten until unconscious outside her apartment two months after COVID-19 pandemic hits. Erika Lee, author of America for Americans, defines xenophobia as “an ideology: a set of beliefs and ideas based on the premise that foreigners are threats to the nation and its people”(Ritcher, Eva). George Orwell uses his science-fiction novel 1984 not only as a satirical warning discussing the phenomenon of a government that rapidly emerged during his lifetime--totalitarianism--but also to address underlying problems existing throughout multiple countries: xenophobia and hate speech. 1984 begins by introducing the reader to the protagonist, Winston Smith, who lives in one of three superstates, Oceania, which is …show more content…

Despite being in a mindless society, Winston is very conscious of the Party’s lies, and almost recklessly defies them through his journal entries, inner thoughts, and later illicit affair with another Party member, Julia. However, throughout Winston’s narrative there is a constant reminder of what happens if an individual isn’t normal, if they stick out and get caught by the Party; they disappear. Although it may appear that Orwell predicted the xenophobia and hate speech of today, the fact is that they existed long before he wrote the novel and have only been amplified through mass media in our modern society. Fear of outsiders has long been a part of human nature. Before Orwell wrote 1984, fear of Asians was evident in the Chinese Exclusion Act which barred Chinese immigrants from entering the U.S in 1882 (“Chinese Exclusion Act”). The novel 1984 is a response to the Anti-Asian hysteria of Orwell’s time fueled by the attack on Pearl Harbor in World War II. American citizens discriminated against the Asian community and isolated them from the rest of the population in internment camps, similar to how in 1984 the Party indoctrinated the masses to …show more content…

The Brennan Center reports that U.S “federal agencies may share information they collect from social media across all levels of government and the private sector” shockingly adding that they “sometimes even disclose data to foreign governments.” Electronics have taken over our lives, making it easier to collect information and watch people, like the telescreens in 1984. However, this does not prove that Orwell predicted the future. Governments have a long history of keeping tabs on their citizens. In fact, mass surveillance by the U.S government on German American citizens began in WWI well before Orwell wrote his novel (“Mass Survellance Began with

Show More
Related
891 Words | 4 Pages

In George Orwell’s classic novel, 1984, a dystopian society is created and set in socialist England. The government is a cruel, tyrannical, totalitarian entity with a fearful grip on each party’s citizens including the main character, Winston Smith. Throughout the novel, Winston expresses his fear and displeasure of the party’s philosophy, Ingsog, which forces him to abide under its control. In 1984, Orwell highlights the negative aspects of socialism and how tyrannical governments hold power.

Read More
416 Words | 2 Pages

George Orwell's novel 1984 is a powerful rhetorical masterpiece that uses a variety of literary devices to convey its message about the dangers of totalitarianism. Through its vivid imagery, complex characters, and thought-provoking themes, the novel warns against the dangers of giving up our freedom in the face of oppressive regimes. One of the most striking aspects of the novel is its use of imagery to convey the bleakness and hopelessness of life under a totalitarian government. Orwell's descriptions of the city of London, with its crumbling buildings and oppressive atmosphere, create a powerful sense of dread that permeates the entire novel.

Read More
588 Words | 3 Pages

1984 Analysis George Orwell’s 1984 has significant relevance to today’s society because of the abuse of power over the people by the government. Although most governments today don’t watch their citizen’s every move, or torture them into believing that two plus two could equal five and/or three, that might not be too far in the future. There are several symbol of the Party’s complete control over the free life, language, and emotions of the citizens. Body 1: To begin, the Party has significant power over the people, even to go as far arresting them for “thoughtcrime” which is when you think of things that are considered illegal by the Party. The free life of the people of Oceania was not actually free, or the people’s.

Read More
1040 Words | 5 Pages

Everyone is the world has different fears and these fears lead to differences in the decisions that these people make. Because decisions and actions define a person, fear, love, hate and memory all play roles in the how people are defined. In 1984, by George Orwell, the character Winston Smith bases his decisions in dystopian Oceania on the fears he has and the the amount of fear he has towards different things. Winston and Julia’s relationship, Winston’s use of a diary, and the outcome of Winston’s torture in Room 101 are all addressing his fears and how strong they are. According to 1984, by George Orwell, people are defined by the fears they have and how strong those fears are.

Read More
1003 Words | 5 Pages

Research Paper 1984 The people in George Orwell’s 1984 are dehumanized using many ways by the inner party. They have a hard life because they don’t know simple everyday things that we take for granted. When we show emotions and do what and think what we want it is something that the people of Oceania don’t have. They don’t have freedom from the government.

Read More
850 Words | 4 Pages

In 1984 George Orwell uses characterization to show the ignorance of the people is the strength of the government. The parents in Oceania are faced with a truly terrifying reality that their children could turn on them quicker than their own worst enemy. In the novel,

Read More
1571 Words | 7 Pages

The way individuals think about human rights is different than the way the government does. Samuel Moyn publishes Human Rights, Not So Pure Anymore, to influence the readers of the New York Times that their definition of human rights does not align with western governments. Attempting to persuade the liberal adults of New York City, among other readers of the New York Times, Moyn creates the argument that corruption has changed the definition of human rights from being about personal welfare to political gains. Although he introduces several observations regarding the unfair treatment of human rights by governments, his emotional bias and lack of solid evidence prevents him from thoroughly proving his argument.

Read More
342 Words | 2 Pages

We first see this idea show up through George Orwell 's 1984. Within this totalitarian novel, the government aims to reduce the meaning of language as well as the number of words possible. Although when we read Orwell 's novel we fear the society he creates, in some ways we are subconsciously slipping into ‘newspeak’. As our society develops, we begin simplifying words, and create an easier way of communication. Today we live in a fast pace moving society, we as humans now want to be able to get from point A to B as fast as we can.

Read More
789 Words | 4 Pages

Have you ever felt that someone is watching everything you do when you are using your digital device? The National Security Agency is an organization where they get to see every single thing you do on social media. Nineteen Eighty-Four is a political book where George Orwell expresses his thoughts on today’s society. George Orwell wrote his novel in nineteen forty-nine and politically predicted how society would be decades in the future. Orwell was accurate in making these predictions, which were effective because the novel’s predictions were right.

Read More
946 Words | 4 Pages

The book 1984 was written by Orwell to caution future generations of the dangers of an all controlling government. Comparisons between Orwell’s novel about a tightly controlled totalitarian future ruled by Big Brother are in fact quite similar to today 's world. In 1984 they mention telescreens, nearly all public and private places have large TV screens that broadcast government propaganda, news and approved entertainment, but they also spy on citizens private lives. Today social media like Facebook tracks our likes and dislikes. Also individuals as well as the government are able to hack into our computers and find out what they want to know.

Read More
647 Words | 3 Pages

In the novel 1984 by George Orwell, the society of an isolated island called Oceania is run by a totalitarian government known as The Party and with their figurehead “Big Brother”. Big brother is the symbol of the party’s control and power over the minds of its subjects. And this nearly destroys free thought, practically forcing fear among anyone who dare speak up against the Party. And if they manage to do so, they are quickly captured and “reeducated” by The Party. This society is fueled by fear and hatred of free thoughts and actions of people.

Read More
999 Words | 4 Pages

Ingsoc as a totalitarian ideology Introduction George Orwell’s classic 1984 written in the year 1949 tells the story of a dystopian society under a totalitarian regime. The novel is set in Airstrip One, formerly known as Great Britain, which is a province of the super-state called Oceania. The throne of power is epitomized by Big Brother, the quasi-divine cult leader who is at the same time infallible as well as invisible. Orwell in 1984 depicts a dystopia which is riddled by perpetual wars, omnipresent government surveillance, manipulation and historical revisionism.

Read More
884 Words | 4 Pages

Throughout 1984, Winston is forced to confront a society which rejects the central tenets of humanity and independent thought, and which presides over society through the dissemination of propaganda. Orwell’s novel explores the dangers of totalitarian government and absolute control and is a prophetic tale of power and control that must be heeded in modern times. Totalitarianism is employed to grant absolute power to the Party and ensure the deference of the

Read More
1500 Words | 6 Pages

In the novel 1984 by George Orwell, the main theme is of conformity to the wants of society and the government. Themes of dehumanization of our species, as well as the danger of a totalitaristic state are repeatedly expressed. Orwell demonstrates this theme by using setting and characters in the novel. The setting helps to convey the theme because of the world and kind of city that the main character lives in. Winston’s every move is watched and controlled by the governmental figurehead known as “big brother”.

Read More
1102 Words | 5 Pages

During a daily exercise known as the Two Minutes Hate, all Party members view a video usually featuring a speech denouncing the Party’s ideals and advocating for freedom and democracy. Even though Winston secretly supports these principles, he feels compelled to and even cannot avoid joining the frenzy of the Hate, entering a blind but abstract rage. He mentions that, “And yet that rage that one felt was an abstract, undirected emotion which could be switched from one object to another like the flame of a blowlamp. Thus, at one moment Winston’s hatred was not not turned against Goldstein at all, but, on the contrary, against Big Brother, the Party, and the Thought Police….(Orwell 14). This is how Winston’s fear differs from that of other people’s.

Read More

More about George Orwell Xenophobia In 1984

Related Topics

Open Document