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1984 By George Orwell Essay

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Nelson Mandela once said “When a man is denied the right to live the life he believes in, he has no choice but to become an outlaw.” In 1984 by George Orwell, this quote has the utmost prevalence. 1984 is a novel set in a dystopian society in which London, called “Airstrip One” in the novel, is under the control of a totalitarian government called “The Party.” The Party looks up to the teachings and beliefs of their hero “Big Brother.” This controlling government administers their citizens by giving them no privacy, leading them to believe that they are under a constant threat of death, and giving them no sense of freedom in any aspect of their lives. However, the main character, Winston Smith, does not agree with the ways of thinking that …show more content…

In 1984, Winston’s job is to change any record to match what The Party believes is right. For example, if The Party or Big Brother promises its citizens something and they are not able to deliver on that promise, people like Winston alter every document that proves that this promise was ever made. Like Winston says, “You could prove nothing. There was never any evidence” (Orwell 36). The citizens of Oceania are constantly kept in the dark about the past. If there is any memory of the type of society that existed before, it only lives in people’s recollection of the past. Recently in Colorado, this same idea has come into question in schools with the possibility of censorship being discussed. The Jefferson County School Board proposed censorship in order to “teach students the “benefits of the free enterprise system, respect for authority and respect for individual rights,” while avoiding lessons that condoned “civil disorder, social strife or disregard of the law” (Healy). However, the problems that present from this abolition of knowledge are simple: how can anyone learn and improve from the past, if there is no proof that the past actually happened in the way people believe? Overall, these pieces of literature both emphasize the importance of truth and freedom within

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