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Irony In George Orwell's '1984'

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Irony is the expression of one 's meaning by using language that normally signifies the opposite, typically for humorous or emphatic effect. In George Orwell’s 1984 there are four branches of government, known as ministries, that have names that mean the opposite. For example, in the Ministry of Peace they declare and conduct wars, and there is nothing peaceful about war. Along with the Ministry of Peace, there is the Ministry of Plenty, Ministry of Love, and Ministry of Truth, and through these ministries, the government, known as the Inner Party, has the power to make policies and control the Outer Party members. Behind this great power is Big Brother; the fictional leader who strips the party members of their freedom of action or expression and demands complete …show more content…

In 1894 Orwell creates a totalitarian government with various branches that have ironic names to manipulate the party members. The Ministry of Love does not give affection, as one may assume, but as a matter of fact, does the complete opposite. This ministry is in charge of law and order, and this is where they torture political prisoners. In the Ministry of Love, they manipulate the Party members through the use of telescreens; television like devices that can be found in every room of every Party member. They can not be turned off and the Thought Police can plug into it at anytime to make sure no crime is being committed and to broadcast at the same time (Symons 110). One offense that is prohibited in Oceania is known as thoughtcrime, and one commits thoughtcrime when they have thoughts that oppose, question, and doubt the ruling party. As one would expect, the government does not want the Party members to have such thoughts, so for committing thoughtcrime, they get arrested by the Thought Police and get tortured brutally. Facecrime is when one makes an improper expression on their face,

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