Although it may seem that the use of language wouldn’t manipulate the thought of people, Orwell clarifies in not only 1984, but also in the real world that language is used to control other people’s thought by making people only rely on the government.
One important way that language manipulates the mind is through a continuation of repeating information. Typically, readers see the use of language manipulation to be proven false in 1984 when the government says they are increasing the chocolate rations and Winston knows they aren’t. Orwell states “As a short time ago as February, the ministry of plenty had issued a promise (a “categorical pledge” were the official words) that there would be no reduction of the chocolate ration during 1984. Actually, as Winston was aware,
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The government tries to get into the people’s mind and trick them, but it hasn’t worked. This very clearly shows that the language that they are using isn’t effecting the people’s mind at all. Since this language hasn’t worked on Winston, it probably won’t work on any of the other citizens. All of the other citizens could easily have faked that they believed the government because the telescreens are always watching them. To continue, the language manipulation is proven to work because of when the government uses their teachings to manipulate the minds of the children. The author of 1984 says “Winston raised his hands above his head, but with an uneasy feeling, so vicious was the boy’s demeanor, that it was not altogether a game. You’re a traitor! Yelled the boy. You’re a thought-criminal! You’re a Eurasian spy! I’ll shoot you, I’ll vaporize you, I’ll send you to the salt mines! Mrs Parson’s eyes flittered nervously from Winston to the children, and back again” (Orwell, Page 23). In this evidence, Winston visits his neighbors and he gets questioned and threatened by their kids. The government sends the kids to a type of schooling that