In 1984, by George Orwell, Winston Smith becomes consumed by the idea of disobeying the ever so apparent ideals of Big Brother. Winston starts to realize that the propaganda used by the government is just an act by Big Brother to get people to live the life that the government wants them to live. The way in which Big Brother tries to control the mass of people in Oceania is almost identical to the way that Adolf Hitler and the communist government of China tried to gain complete and unquestioned control over their people. In the first meeting of Winston, there is a gloom and despair about him. Smith is neither enthused or entertained about his job at the Ministry of Truth. Smith is constantly reminded of the control Big Brother has on Oceania …show more content…
Though he is not able to do as he wants as freely as he would wish, he has to be very careful to not be caught disobeying any laws. He becomes fathomed with the ideas of the party’s arch nemesis, Emmanuel Goldstein. English criticism writer Nicole Smith explains, “As early as the first two sentences, George Orwell gives a dark and isolating description of a utopian world using simple but complex language, “It was a bright cold day in April, and the clocks were striking thirteen. Winston Smith, his chin nuzzled into his breast in an effort to escape the vile wind, slipped quickly through the glass doors of Victory Mansions, though not quickly enough to prevent a swirl of gritty dust from entering along with him.”(Orwell 1)”. The “vile wind” foreshadows the problems Winston will have to escape from in the future, only to come to and conform in the end. The spirit that overcomes Winston is one thing that the Party and Big Brother fear most. In order to suppress that spirit, it must be wiped out completely. She reiterates that Winston has the feeling of someone who is lost in the world, …show more content…
They use surveillance, language laws, and strict orders to psychologically manipulate peoples thoughts and actions to be that of what Big Brother wants them to be. English professor Paul Tan states, “ Surveillance is almost everywhere in Oceania, the mostly used way is television. There is a two-way screen, so-called television in every apartment and on street but they only serve the purpose of monitoring and propaganda, the Party gets simultaneous image of what its people are doing. Even facial expression can be detected. Only senior members of the Inner Party have the power to turn them off for a short period. Children are also used to keep track of their parents, “The children, on the other hand, were systematically turned against their parents and taught to spy on them and report their deviations” (Orwell 76). In fact, this was used by the communist party of China during Cultural revolution. With extremely mighty surveillance, citizens cannot express their ideas towards the negative side of the Party at all, and even thoughts are controlled because the Party can “re educate” people for an incorrect facial expression”. Tan states that the way that the party uses surveillance is how they get the control over people. The statement of “Big Brother is watching you”, is almost an understatement. The way that the tele- screen is placed in every household makes people realize that