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Satire In George Orwell's 1984

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In George Orwell’s 1984, a future totalitarian government is presented to the audience with the heavy use of satire. This government serves two purposes: mocking Communism and demonstrating the effects of government control on its citizens and society. Through his ominous tone, Orwell satirizes the relationship between citizens and members of government authority. He portrays O’Brien as Winston’s friend, rather than his enemy. During Winston’s interrogation and torture, O’Brien often reminds Winston that the power to end the suffering rests in Winston’s hands. O’Brien explicitly tells Winston “It will not last forever. You can escape from it whenever you choose. Everything depends on yourself” (Orwell 273). Clearly, O’Brien does not wish this suffering upon Winston, showing that O’Brien has apparent compassion and lacks malevolent thoughts towards Winston. …show more content…

O’Brien speaks in a kind and encouraging way; his words are encouraging in that he is pushing Winston to realize the how the Party has utter control over history and society itself. O’Brien explains that “[The Party controls] 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” (Orwell 269). In reality, Winston is actually being unreasonable by not accepting that the Party has total control. O’Brien reveals his true identity as a friend by pushing Winston to accept this total control, justifying Winston’s torture to see five of O’Brien’s fingers instead of

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