Ignorance Is Peace By George Orwell: Literary Analysis

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George Orwell revealed his nightmarish vision of the future in his fictional novel 1984. In this novel, the unlikely protagonist (Winston) fights to maintain his individuality and freedom in a world where the government (Big Brother and the Party) controls every movement and every thought. Orwell adds motifs, tone and an anti-hero to help spice up an otherwise bland novel. First, motifs help draw one’s attention to the essential points in the plot, allowing the minor details to fade away into the back of one’s memory. One instance of a motif is, “War is Peace. Freedom is slavery. Ignorance is strength” (7). These words are crucial throughout the course of the story, as they are the Party’s slogan and are used to infect the minds of …show more content…

For example, Winston wrote, “theyll shoot me i dont care theyll shoot me in the back of the neck i dont care down with big brother they always shoot you in the back of the neck i dont care down with big brother” (20). This dialogue shows a frantic tone which helps readers understand Orwell’s pessimistic, uptight, and slightly stubborn personality. Therefore, readers can go through the novel with a deeper understanding of what the author was going through, experiencing a sudden realization Orwell was attempting to warn them to protest Totalitarianism in the future. Also, “But always - do not forget this, Winston - always there will be the intoxication of power, constantly increasing and growing subtler. Always, at every moment, there will be the thrill of victory, the sensation of trampling on an enemy who is helpless. If you want a picture of the future, imagine a boot stamping on a human face— forever” (220). This displays a grave, pessimistic tone where Orwell was trying to indicate a future where no freedom is allowed is one of misery. Additionally, Orwell’s pessimistic personality is brought to light here by his grave prediction of the future, helping readers understand the story is his view of a hopeless future. In conclusion, tone adds depth to the story by relaying the author’s