Examples Of Conformity In 1984

1984 Conformity Versus American Nonconformity America is known as “the land of the free.” Its citizens are privileged with countless liberties and opportunities. However, not all societies allow for such freedoms. In 1984 by George Orwell, the citizens of Oceania are constantly monitored by an oppressive government. All of the Party members can only act, think, and speak in ways that are approved by the government. One of the rare exceptions to the Party’s control is the main character Winston Smith. A lot of things can be learned about him just by his name. His last name is one of the most common ones, while his first name is the same as the great leader Winston Churchill (Gillespie). Winston’s name shows that he is supposed to conform with

The Party members are all required to wear uniforms to symbolize their party membership. These uniforms were not the most flattering clothing, especially in Winston’s case. As described in 1984, “...the meagerness of his body merely emphasized by the blue overalls which were the uniform of the Party” (Orwell 2). By having the Party members wear the same clothes, it shows that they are forced to conform with the Party’s image. This is not the case in the United States. Americans are allowed freedom of expression, and one way of conveying that is through clothing. Citizens in the United States express their personality and therefore their individuality through clothing, which is something that the Party members are unable to do. In addition to wearing the Party uniform, members of the Junior Anti-Sex League wear the red sashes. These sashes are an “aggressive symbol of chastity” (Orwell 15). The Party wants the members to believe that the only purpose of sex is to create children, not because of love. Those who do not conform with this are punished, showing how little the Party tolerates differences. The United States allows its citizens to have their own opinions about chastity. Unlike the Party members, the U.S. citizens are not forced to brandish their opinions through their clothing. Americans have a choice about whether they want to express their opinions, while Party members are forced to agree with the ideals of the