Similarities Between 1984 And 1984

1504 Words7 Pages

In 1984 George Orwell stated, “How do we know that two and two make four? Or does the force of gravity work? Or that the past is unchangeable? If both the past and the external world exist only in the mind, and if the mind itself is controllable, what then?” George Orwell's dystopian novel, 1984, revolves around totalitarianism in society. Adolf Hitler is an infamous figure who held a desire for power, which led to dictatorship from 1933 to 1939. The oppressive ruling party known as Big Brother was a form of government in 1984 that can be similarly compared to Adolf Hitler and the Nazi party. Adolf Hitler and George Orwell’s Big Brother both show the dangers of totalitarian systems through dehumanization tactics, public speeches, and propaganda. …show more content…

This is paralleled by the Nazi authorities' treatment of prisoners in labor camps. Forced labor was a cornerstone of both governments, serving not only as a means of economic production but also as a method of dehumanization. The Nazis implemented the “annihilation through work” policy, where prisoners were forced into grueling labor. At the Mauthausen concentration camp, emaciated prisoners were compelled to run up 186 steps while carrying heavy boulders, leading to many deaths. Similarly, in Orwell’s dystopia, the Party exploits citizens through relentless work, stripping them of their humanity and individuality. Incessant labor is a means to keep the population subdued and prevent any thoughts of rebellion. The systematic dehumanization through forced labor in both 1984 and Nazi Germany reveals the horrifying extent to which totalitarian sovereignty will go to maintain control. These regimes engage forced labor not just to achieve economic goals but to break the human spirit, ensuring compliance and eliminating any potential for dissent. The brutal tactic underscores the regime's overarching strategy of complete domination and the eradication of personal