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Examples Of Manipulation In 1984 By George Orwell

790 Words4 Pages

How does someone acquire power? How do they keep the power they tried so hard to obtain? Power is about greed. It is obtained through multiple forms of manipulation, including physical and psychological means. Psychological manipulation is at the core of retaining power, especially in 1984 written by George Orwell. The book contains a motif of psychological manipulation, and it is seen through the society that the protagonist, Winston Smith, lives in. Big Brother is the manipulative power in 1984, and his control tactics of Oceania are apparent in current societies. America is one of these societies and is controlled by different factions like the government, companies, and powerful people. It is evident, through the use of conditioning and lies, that the American and Oceanic societies are affected by psychological manipulation. …show more content…

This power-struggle led to the manipulation of the masses. Psychological manipulation is the primary tactic used to gain power within Oceania. The entire Oceanic society is built upon lies, false reports, and the manipulation of human nature. According to Orwell, “We control life, Winston, at all its levels. You are imagining that there is something called human nature which will be outraged by what we do and will turn against us. But we create human nature” (Orwell 269). The antagonist, O’Brien, uttered these words to Winston, and he was speaking on behalf of Big Brother. The Oceanic society is built upon these lies, the lies that make Big Brother seem more powerful than he actually is. Big Brother and the party are not Gods; they do not have the power to design human nature. Nevertheless, the rulers of Oceania achieved the ability to manipulate each generation of people enough so that the citizens slowly forget who they are. The citizens can no longer feel, think, or act freely. The distinct idea the citizens are taught to know is how to

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