Sci-fi movies have painted a future where humanity is controlled by technology and a puissant government, but what if these movies are our reality. In George Orwells' novel 1984, he writes about a society ruled by a totalitarian government that uses technological advances to abuse its citizens into keeping the government in power. Orwell utilizes interpretative literature techniques to create a greater connection between the reader and the story. ThoughtCo defines interpretative literature as "seek[ing] to help readers understand deeper questions of life...and other elements of human existence." George Orwell's depiction of a totalitarian government and the loss of self-identity can be interpreted as a warning to modern society that if it …show more content…
For example, when Winston and Julia talk about their views on the party and how they would never betray each other, Winston thinks about "the telescreen and its never-sleeping ear." (Orwell 210). This specific form of personification makes the connection between the reader and the story more intimate. Throughout the story, there are explanations of how the Party watches and spies on its citizens. Bringing to life the telescreen by saying how it is always listening, no matter what, creates an eerie tone that leaves the reader constantly on edge because someone is always listening. Both comparisons and personifications make the reader question if they truly understand how they are treated in society and the consequences of such. Additionally, the novel's use of irony contrasts the reader's expectations and what happens in the story. Orwell uses verbal irony to give glimpses into how the government has brainwashed its citizens into believing whatever they say. For example, the Party's slogans, "War is Peace, Freedom is Slavery, Ignorance is Strength." (Orwell 130). These slogans contradict one 3 another, and the only reason the citizens haven't noticed is that all they've ever known is …show more content…
The rationing, the ruined houses, and bombs going off every thirty minutes parallel life during the war. Bartleby Research describes one way that the Party takes control of its citizens by stating that "the Government of Oceania controls the citizens by using fear and propaganda." This ties in with the fact that the state is constantly at war. If a nation is always at war with another, its citizens would have no choice but to trust its government. Another form of irony Orwell uses is situational irony, specifically relating to the character Julia, Winston's partner. Julia is described as a young lady who is a proud member of the Party, who follows every rule, is an active member of the community, and is even a part of the Junior Anti-Sex League. It isn't until she is with Winston that it is revealed that she is, in fact, the complete opposite of what she presents herself to be. In reality, she's a highly sexual being and despises the Party. Even stating that “she had her first love affair when she was sixteen...” (Orwell 165). These forms of irony are both representations of how well the government can alter the perspective of what is the truth and what is fake. Finally, Orwell dives deeper into real-life issues through the use of
One of the most notable ways in which paradoxes are utilized by George Orwell is to convey the nature of the party’s indoctrination and the ways in which it
Through his writing, Orwell conveys not only the dangers of totalitarianism but also the power of language and rhetoric to manipulate people. In this way, he warns against the use of words as a form of propaganda that can be used to manipulate individuals into believing something that is far from reality. For example, Big Brother’s Ministry of Truth takes advantage of citizens by using slogans such as “War is peace” or “Freedom is slavery” to confuse and disorient them. This manipulation allows Big Brother to maintain their authority over society. As Daniel Leab asserts, “Orwell's works contained a more global message that could be used as propaganda against the United States: ironically enough, it was an attack on all forms of propaganda - including that which might be employed by democratic nations” (Leab 2003, 145).
Irony is the expression of one 's meaning by using language that normally signifies the opposite, typically for humorous or emphatic effect. In George Orwell’s 1984 there are four branches of government, known as ministries, that have names that mean the opposite. For example, in the Ministry of Peace they declare and conduct wars, and there is nothing peaceful about war. Along with the Ministry of Peace, there is the Ministry of Plenty, Ministry of Love, and Ministry of Truth, and through these ministries, the government, known as the Inner Party, has the power to make policies and control the Outer Party members. Behind this great power is Big Brother; the fictional leader who strips the party members of their freedom of action or expression and demands complete
For instance, Orwell presented his first act or irony in the introductory page of the novel. Winston Smith lived in “Victory Mansions” which had a living environment quite contrary to its name. With the name of “Victory Mansions” one would expect a lavish lifestyle where everything associate with the apartment would be luxurious and up to par. In actuality, “the hallways smelt of boiled cabbage and old rag mats” and “…at present the electric current was cut off during daylight hours,” (5). Also the Party’s slogan can be interpreted as irony as well “War is peace.
Several examples Orwell used in the novel can relate to things in the real world, such as Hitlers concentration camps and Room 101, Big Brother and Uncle Sam, and rationalized food being advertised to seem like an abundant supply, all of which serve the purpose of warning people about the dangers of governmental control and violation of human
In George Orwell's 1984 novel, the theme of struggle and survival is a dominant commentary on the importance of individual freedom and the dangers of a society striving to control all aspects of human life. The novel depicts a dystopian society in which the government controls every aspect of citizens' lives, from their thoughts and actions to language and emotions. Winston and Julia's characters represent different approaches to survival in such a society, emphasizing the importance of individuality and the right to freedom of expression in all aspects of life. Winston's struggle for intellectual freedom is central to the novel.
George Orwell reflects the usage of propaganda and language from reality into the science fiction world of the story. One instance is the use of slogans by the Party. Cathy Lowne from Britannica Encyclopedia summarizes the use of propaganda slogans by writing,” The Party has created a propagandistic language known as Newspeak, which is designed to limit free thought and promote the Party’s doctrines. Its words include doublethink (belief in contradictory ideas simultaneously), which is reflected in the Party’s slogans: “War is peace,”
“ Conflict invites individuals to see the world differently, uncovering the anomalies “ Conflict is an inevitable and necessary component to the existence of every individual in order to gather new perspectives of our wider world and the inconsistencies within it . George Orwell is able to capitalize on this idea by encouraging audiences to reflect on the world and their relationship to it. His political allegory serves as a warning of how political power within totalitarian governments can be abused and manipulated, satirizing dictators like Stalin in the Soviet Union and Hitler for Nazi Germany and the perpetual surveillance driven by governmental oppression which spurs resistance and rebellion as anomalous behavior. His writing stemmed
This helps him achieve his purpose of warning readers against the dangers of a totalitarian government, by showing them the potential effects it could have on them in the future. Furthermore, Orwell also contributes to the world
Orwell uses this to criticize the growing power of government specifically found in totalitarian governments within our own world, but also to bring awareness to the issue of control and how governments exercise control over their citizens in ways that
Oceania’s dystopian yet fictional setting created an authentic reality for readers to connect to as they saw Winston's world reflected in their own. Although 1984 was meant to represent Orwell’s time, the end of the Cold War created a divide on the extent to which 1984 still applied to the current political climate. For some readers, 1984 is a direct analogy to the current politics, as they find a significant amount of overlap between Ingsoc’s brutal tactics for manipulating citizens and the current use of government power, such as oversurveillence and the use of language and disinformation. To others, 1984 is an extremist and unfair comparison to today, as Orwell himself agreed that it was infeasible for any government to master the use of totalitarianism as compared to Ingsoc. However, regardless of the perspective, it is undisputable that Orwell designed his novel to reflect certain themes of totalitarianism that Orwell feared and worried would continue into the future.
George Orwell’s 1984 is a haunting depiction of a dystopian society where individualism and free thought are suppressed, and the government has complete control over the lives of its citizens. Although the book was written in 1949, many of its themes and ideas are still relevant today. In fact, many aspects of modern society are reflected in the book, from the use of technology to the manipulation of language. This essay will explore how the book 1984 reflects modern society with text references. One of the most striking parallels between 1984 and modern society is the use of technology to monitor and control citizens.
To me, Orwell shows us the power of language in his expression of how this totalitarian party manipulates thought by the use of language,
George Orwell, a prominent writer in the late nineteenth century envisions a totalitarian dystopian society in his most famous novel 1984. In the super state of Oceania, the government and its ruling figurehead Big Brother imposes strict rules and sanctions upon the local populace. With telescreens in every room, watching and listening to one’s every move and with posters on every street corner saying “BIG BROTHER IS WATCHING YOU” Orwell describes of a nation where the government has complete control over its own people. Aspects of Orwell’s novel can be found in the present, things such as: oppressive governments and violence can still be found in the world today. People are constantly kept up-to-date with news through media, internet and newspapers
An important tool in understanding literature is to understand the contexts in which it was written. In the case of George Orwell’s works, much of his work was s were undoubtedly influenced by the second world war, along with Orwell’s consistent support of democratic socialism. In the case of his 1949 novel 1984, Orwell wrote the classic on his observations on the totalitarianism of the USSR. One of the major themes based on this context is the control of information and history, something that continues to hold significance today. Starting off by looking at the fictional language Newspeak, the language was created to show biased language.