Examples Of Non-Stop Surveillance In 1984 By George Orwell

Britney Thomas
Ms.Rusciani
Honors English 4
Jan 5, 2023

In 1984, George Orwell introduces the concept of non-stop surveillance through Oceania’s patronizing party slogans, their strategic way of twisting their own words, the irony of their own beliefs, and the dehumanizing effects they have on their own characters. In doing so Orwell seems to be telling us that surveillance has the power to strip one of their identity. This same concept is seen in the daily lives of many children who are raised by helicopter parents. Within some extreme circumstances, a helicopter parent would keep tabs on their child twenty-four-seven, they’d constantly go through the child's phone knowing what they’re doing and when they’re doing it. At times it might seem as though it's in the child’s best interest --- but in most cases, it's to keep their

It is a tad bit similar to the consequences Winston faced once caught by O'Brien. This example can be seen in 1984 where it states, "Do it to Julia! Do it to Julia! Not me! Julia! I don’t care what you do to her. Tear her face off, strip her to the bones. Not me! Julia! Not me!’ He was falling backwards, into enormous depths, away from the rats. He was still strapped in the chair, but he had fallen through the floor, through the walls of the building, through the earth, through the oceans, through the atmosphere, into outer space, into the gulfs between the stars—always away, away, away from the rats." (Orwell 363) As seen within the text the whole goal of Oceania is to break the spirits of their citizens if caught. This is significant because there are children who have lived through similar experiences. Though they were not tortured into obedience like Winston was, they would often have their basic rights taken away. Along with that, their parents would increase their surveillance pushing their child back into obedience just like O’Brien had with