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Stupidity In 1984

656 Words3 Pages

When a person loses the ability to think, that person becomes a puppet, controlled with ease. With deplorable housing, synthetic food, and ubiquitous bombed sites, life in Oceania is not pleasant. The dystopian novel 1984, written by George Orwell, follows Winston, an outsider living in a broken world, whose government has complete control over its inhabitants. Whether it is the Youth Spies, coworkers, or even television, the government is always watching, making it impossible to express heretical thoughts without being severely reprimanded. By making the citizens completely absent minded, the government is able to control the whole population. This theme of a vacuous, compliant society that fears the intelligent, is evident the characters …show more content…

Parsons encompasses the aspect of stupidity in the community of Oceania. Described as a sweaty, fat man with features of a boy, Mr. Parsons is Winston’s neighbor. When in the Cafeteria, Winston is approached by Mr. Parsons. Interrupting their conversation, a distorted announcement about the increase in chocolate ration was displayed on the telescreen, when only last week it claimed a decrease in chocolate ration. Winston takes note of Mr. Parson’s behavior during the event: “Parsons...sat listening with a sort of gaping solemnity… Parsons swallowed it easily, with the stupidity of an animal”(58). Parsons believes something such as chocolate ration, completely irrelevant to the importance of society, is something to be dignified. Parsons is a dog, loyal to its owner. The government is throwing a ball of deceit, and he is chasing right after it. Mr. Parsons accurately represents the theme of a dumbed down …show more content…

Syme is a prime example. Syme is a friend of Winston, which is quite unusual given the fact that no one can be trusted in Oceania. He is a specialist on Newspeak, a version of the English language, editing and creating new words to the Newspeak dictionary. Unfortunately for Syme, his intelligence kills him. Winston predicts this outcome after he has a conversation with the Newspeak aficionado: “Syme will be vaporized. He is too intelligent. He sees too clearly and speaks too plainly. The Party does not like such people. One day he will disappear”(53). Oceania fears citizens that hold intelligence will be able to see the truth. The party believes that the intelligent will lead an uprising against the government, causing a rebellion. Syme’s consciousness is feared throughout Oceania, a common theme in

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