ipl-logo

1984 Dystopian Analysis

514 Words3 Pages

Dystopia is a society of human misery in which squalor and fear are rampant as the government enforces absolute power over its citizens, controlling them both physically and mentally. Dystopian literature is a style of fictional writing that explores societies crippled by deprivation and oppression. Since the citizens live in constant terror, rebellion is a natural consequence for citizens who want to survive. Winston is a citizen of Oceania who refuses to accept the conditions in which he lives and fights back. Rebellion is an element of dystopian literature that George Orwell uses throughout the novel 1984. In a dystopian society where the citizens are dehumanized, rebellion occurs because the people living in these rigid societies are denied dignity and freedom. Winston, the protagonist in George Orwell's 1984, lives in a dystopian society of repression, ruled by Big Brother. Unlike other characters in the story, Winston does not fall for the guise of Big Brother. Winston not only distrusts the tyrannical ways of Big Brother, he rebels and engages in illegal acts to gain his freedom. Winston buys a diary in which to write his thoughts. Orwell narrates, “His pen has slid voluptuously over the smooth paper, printing in large neat capitals – DOWN WITH BIG BROTHER...” (Orwell 20). In his journal, Winston condemns the government because he loathes the way the people of Oceania are treated. It is a crime for citizens of Oceania to express any emotions that belittle Big Brother. The act of having thoughts about ending …show more content…

In a dystopian society, the citizens are robbed of their dignity and freedom, while the government thrives at the expense of their citizens. Without dignity and freedom, body, mind and soul are lost, but the act of rebellion gives the citizen hope. The impact of rebellion

Show More
Related

  • Jon Krakauer Influence On Society

    467 Words  | 2 Pages

    In George Orwell’s classic novel, 1984, Winston Smith is a secret rebel, fighting the control of Big Brother, who represents the overpowered, all knowing government. Winston is fighting more than his government though, he is fighting his entire society. Big Brother’s power comes from his ability to manipulate the masses, so influentially, that the masses work towards the oppression of themselves. In questioning Big Brother, Winston is questioning the entirety of known society. Winston meets others that share his views on society and expand Winston’s field of thought, leading him to make conclusions about his society; conclusions that lead to direct rebellion against Big Brother.

    Read More

  • 1984 Literary Criticism

    1971 Words  | 8 Pages

    Many a literary critic claims that the strongest aspect of the book 1984 by George Orwell is its plot. Indeed, there is some merit in this conclusion, as the entire purpose of Orwell’s writing of this book was not to create a literary classic, but to warn the public about the dangers of communism if it got out of hand, and what better way to do this than to write an engaging plot? Others may claim that 1984’s greatest strength is in its character development. This aspect, too, is quite strong in the book, as not only are the minor characters effected in serving the dystopian theme, but the major characters are believable and very human in their failings. Winston’s transformation from an oppressed office worker to revolutionary and finally

    Read More

  • Examples Of Rebellion In 1984

    1153 Words  | 5 Pages

    Rebellion is a way for people to express their dissatisfaction with their government. Throughout George Orwell’s 1984, Winston attempts to start a rebellion against the Party– an action that mirrors that of the American Revolution through the driving factors, political conditions, and steps towards success. Oftentimes, extreme and controlling governments are the ones to experience rebellion. In 1984, Winston lives in the oppressive Oceania. The government, the Party, manages everything from portioning food rations to eliminating independent thoughts.

    Read More

  • Examples Of Betrayal In 1984 By George Orwell

    1474 Words  | 6 Pages

    In his efforts to rebel and reveal the true nature of the head of Oceania, Big Brother, he only finds himself broken and despaired by the ones he was most fond of. In further explanation, Winston’s life has been a spiral of people who have entered and parted, without bidding farewells. First, his greed as a young

    Read More

  • The Importance Of Control In George Orwell's 1984

    796 Words  | 4 Pages

    George Orwell’s 1984 is a precautionary tale of what happens when the government has too much control in our lives. The protagonist, Winston Smith, is at odds in a world in which he is not allowed to counter the government’s surveillance and control. Perhaps more striking is the noticeable relationship between the novel and modern society. In George Orwell’s novel 1984 the book predicts the surveillance of Big Brother in modern day societies.

    Read More

  • Elements In Fahrenheit 451, Anthem, And The Maze Runner

    1086 Words  | 5 Pages

    Dystopia is a popular genre in which authors write about a fictional society that is perceived to be perfect and ideal by the vast majority of the people in it. Authors must intrigue the reader, and this is difficult because they have to somehow illustrate a future that is vaguely similar to ours. However, it has to be completely fictional, which makes it tough to formulate realistic storylines. Nevertheless, these authors use literary elements to counter these difficulties and produce realistic characters and you can see this when Ray Bradbury, Ayn Rand, and James Dashner use symbolism in their respected novels, Fahrenheit 451, Anthem, and The Maze Runner. This literary technique gives Dystopian Literature the uniqueness and adds the key elements to make the story flow.

    Read More

  • A Rebellious Personality In 1984 By Winston Smith

    309 Words  | 2 Pages

    A Rebellious Personality What might one do when they possess little to no control over their lives? This lifestyle is present in Winston’s country, which is controlled by a totalitarian government in which any incorrect action leads to severe consequences. Most citizens blindly follow society, but a selct, unkown few choose to rebel. In “1984” by George Orwell, Winston Smith’s defiant nature and curious attitude display that when in a situation lacking optimism, one may turn to rebellion.

    Read More

  • Similarities Between 1984 And Harrison Bergeron

    1113 Words  | 5 Pages

    A dystopia is an unhappy place that is an illusion of a perfect society where nobody is equal and everyone is oppressed. In the dystopian novel, 1984, the protagonist Winston Smith rebels against the over controlling government that gives the illusion of a "good life" to it's people. The short story "Harrison Bergeron" written by Kurt Vonngeut Jr. tells the tale of the great Harrison Bergeron who escapes jail to free the people of their handicaps and show them the beauty of being different. Lastly the movie Idiocracy, directed by Mike Judge, the protagonist Joe Bower is chosen for a military experiment which goes horribly wrong where the entire word has become incredibly stupid due to the failure of natural selection. All dystopian literature,

    Read More

  • Comparing 1984 And The V For Vendetta And 1984

    1481 Words  | 6 Pages

    At the beginning of the novel, Winston made it prominent that he dissented Big Brother and his party’s idea. He wrote in his diary, in Book 1 Chapter 1, “DOWN WITH BIG BROTHER DOWN WITH BIG BROTHER DOWN WITH BIG BROTHER…” (Orwell 18). This shows that Winston dissented his country’s government and was willing to rebel for he knew deep inside that

    Read More

  • 1984 Theme Essay

    1559 Words  | 7 Pages

    In the novel 1984, by George Orwell, he uses truth and reality as a theme throughout the novel to demonstrate the acts of betrayal and loyalty through the characters of Winston and Julia. Orwell expresses these themes through the Party, who controls and brainwashes the citizens of Oceania. The party is able to control its citizens through “Big Brother,” a fictional character who is the leader of Oceania. Big Brother is used to brainwash the citizens into whatever he says. Orwell uses truth and reality in this book to reflect on what has happened in the real world such as the Holocaust and slavery.

    Read More

  • The Evils Of A Rebellion In George Orwell's 1984

    874 Words  | 4 Pages

    George Orwell wrote 1984 back in the midst of World War II, which is alluded to multiple times in the book. He discussed what this world might turn into if we do not take action against the European leaders. The book depicts a over-controlling government, referred to as the Party, which is constantly spying on the citizens of the dystopian society called Oceania. One of the Outer-Party members named Winston Smith realizes the wrongdoings of the government and starts to rebel against them. Throughout the entirety of 1984, Winston can be seen as a hero by his defiance against the Party, his hatred toward the Party, and how he may have sparked a rebellion.

    Read More

  • George Orwell 1984 Setting Analysis

    1500 Words  | 6 Pages

    In the novel 1984 by George Orwell, the main theme is of conformity to the wants of society and the government. Themes of dehumanization of our species, as well as the danger of a totalitaristic state are repeatedly expressed. Orwell demonstrates this theme by using setting and characters in the novel. The setting helps to convey the theme because of the world and kind of city that the main character lives in. Winston’s every move is watched and controlled by the governmental figurehead known as “big brother”.

    Read More

  • 1984 Doublethink Analysis

    925 Words  | 4 Pages

    George Orwell’s 1984: How Doublethink is the Most Powerful Weapon for Control Being able to believe two paradoxical statements at one time sounds impossible but it is more common than believed. It is called doublethink, which is the ability to hold two contradictory beliefs on a topic and wholeheartedly believing them both at the same time. This term was coined by George Orwell and it becomes the main tool for control over the citizens of Oceania in his novel 1984. Orwell created a totalitarian future in hopes it would serve as a warning to preceding generations as to how the government can metamorphose into having complete power over a population to the point where they even control the thought process of the human mind.

    Read More

  • Examples Of Tyranny In 1984 By George Orwell

    453 Words  | 2 Pages

    Winston is defiant and rebels against Big Brother and the Party through various illegal actions. After purchasing an empty diary, he continuously wrote “DOWN WITH BIG BROTHER” when the telescreens were out of view (Orwell 21). This simple thought is considered to be a severe crime where Winston lives because it is direct disapproval towards the Party. Winston feels as if Big Brother is controlling every aspect of his life, so this rebellious action allows for him to vent his frustration.

    Read More

  • 1984 Totalitarianism

    884 Words  | 4 Pages

    Throughout 1984, Winston is forced to confront a society which rejects the central tenets of humanity and independent thought, and which presides over society through the dissemination of propaganda. Orwell’s novel explores the dangers of totalitarian government and absolute control and is a prophetic tale of power and control that must be heeded in modern times. Totalitarianism is employed to grant absolute power to the Party and ensure the deference of the

    Read More

More about 1984 Dystopian Analysis

Open Document