Oppression Of Truth In 1984 By George Orwell

In Goerge Owell’s masterpiece novel, 1984, the characters struggle an internal battle against the rules imposed by INGSOC against their freedom. Often simple freedom, personal identity, and truth can be difficult to identify when one is not provided, but restricted from information. This is often unnoticeable until one breaks free of the flock, and opens their eyes to what is presented as truth. This internal struggle against constant rules and the manipulation of truth is experienced when we look closely at the characters' actions throughout the story. This internal battle for freedom, personal identity, and the truth is shown when we look at the characters Big Brother, Winston, and Julia.

This novel is based around a totalitarian organization,

But he is simply a figurehead to keep everyone's freedom under control, and the party forever in power. As the party slogan, supported by Big Brother states “War is peace/Freedom is slavery/Ignorance is truth” (Orwell 4). Big Brother's job is to be an inspiration and portrait of a perfect man who follows the party's gilded path. But this Gilded Path is a path of control, where so much as thinking is a crime; for one to be successful they must do, not think. As the party believes such thought is freedom, and “Freedom is slavery” (4), so people must stay ignorant. The people of the party don't think twice about what is said, as if it's the party's words, it's the only truth that matters. By following the party blindly they are ignorant to all else, but as the party states “Ignorance is freedom” (4) a “truth” the people follow blindly. This system is made possible by doublethink, where the truth is changed often enough that it leaves only memories, but memories cannot be trusted as they rot with time. But following blindly is not enough for the party, “You hate him. Good. Then the time has come for you to take the last step. You must love Big Brother. It is not enough to obey him: you must love him” (295). Following without means is a weak ideology, which

Though initially portrayed as someone who accepted the parties’ complete control, she rebels in her own way, finding refuge in small acts of defiance and pleasure. As Julia shared with Winston, "I'm corrupt to the bones" (132), expressing her distaste, and rejection of the party's gilded path of purity, and goodness. Unlike Winston, Julia characterized her individuality by her personal pursuit of pleasure, and immediate gratification, in defiance of the Party's imposed restrictions on sexuality and relationships. These actions serve as a form of defiance, providing a temporary sense of individuality and freedom from the suffocating grip of the party. "I'm not interested in the next generation, dear. I'm interested in us" (132). This shows that her interest lies in carving out an identity separate from the oppressive party, not in the freedom of the future generations. In a society where individuality is suppressed, Julias actions show her human desire for personal identity and self-expression. Even under the complete control of the party, Julia’s shows that human actions and thoughts can be compressed, but human nature for individuality, and personal freedom cannot be compressed and there will always be those whose minds break free of their