A Comparison of George Orwell's Totalitarian World of 1984 and America in 2004

Nobody can disagree with the fact that George Orwell’s vision, in his book 1984, didn’t come true. Though many people worried that the world might actually come to what Orwell thought, the year 1984 came and went and the world that Orwell created was something people did not have to worry about anymore. Many people have wondered what was happening in Orwell’s life and in his time that would inspire him to create this politically motivated book. A totalitarian world where one person rules and declares what is a crime and what is not, is something many people would have been scared of a lot. The totalitarianism in 1984 is very similar to the Nazism that was occurring in Germany with Hitler. This could have been the key thing that motivated

It is evident through the text that Orwell believes that in theory everybody wants equality, hence the concept of communism, yet it is in our nature as human beings to seek power. This can be shown in the text when the pigs initiate to

In America, we pride ourselves on being a democracy and having choices, when in fact, it is only a political illusion. In the Constitution of the United States (which we are all held accountable to abide by), it states that we are a republic with regard to the people’s desire to be a democracy, yet there is much evidence that leans towards America being an oligarchy. While a republic is a country which elects representatives to make government decisions on their behalf, an oligarchy is a system in which a small group of people controls the country. The debate of American being an oligarchy assumes that elites have power in many aspects of government, such as the Electoral College and the election process,

Over seventy years after he lived and wrote, the works of English journalist and democratic socialist George Orwell, continue to fascinate, stimulate and enrage his readers concerning the structure of society and the organization of government. The controversial writer openly spoke out against the absolute power of any government, warning that a fascist government would deprive its people of their basic freedoms and liberties. Orwell’s novel, 1984, serves as a reminder of the danger of totalitarianism by depicting a future in which all citizens live under the constant surveillance of the “Big Brother.” Through the main character, Winston Smith, Orwell demonstrates the dangers of totalitarianism; writing of the consequences of absolute government in several essays and proposing socialism as an alternative. To Orwell, the role of government is to represent the common people rather than the old and the privileged.

During the time that Orwell was writing 1984, Hitler and Stalin were creating their totalitarian governments. “The two complete forms of totalitarianism in the 20th century have been Adolf Hitler's Germany and Stalin's Soviet Union,” (Quinn). It is quite clear that Hitler and Stalin had a huge impression on Orwell’s writing. Some of the traits that Orwell includes in his 1984 government come directly from their way of ruling. For example, the Thought Police in the novel come from the Nazis. Both groups have the same job, which is to punish anyone who is against the power.

During the time that Orwell was writing 1984, Hitler and Stalin were creating their totalitarian governments. “The two complete forms of totalitarianism in the 20th century have been Adolf Hitler's Germany and Stalin's Soviet Union.” (Quinn) It is quite clear that Hitler and Stalin had a huge impression on Orwell’s writing. Some of the traits that Orwell includes in his 1984 government come directly from their way of ruling. For example, the Thought Police in the novel come from the Nazis. Both groups have the same job, which is to punish anyone who is against the power.

One of Orwell’s most prevalent themes across all of his writing is the dangers of totalitarian government. Orwell lived during a time when there was a real threat of communism to all nations, so it does not seem strange why Orwell would fear totalitarian government. In 1984, the whole premise of the book is how dangerous a government can be when it takes total control. In 1984, the main character, Winston, deals with the fear of living under a totalitarian government. Winston explains how dangerous totalitarian government can be,

Back in 1949 George Orwell imagined a future where everyone was always being watched, the government always keeping tabs on people. In his novel 1984, that is the reality. He depicts the events of the government along with how everyone must watch their every move because “Big Brother” is always watching. Marxism exists in this novel through materialism. Materialism refers to the components of daily lives related directly to one`s economic status. The book 1984 also uses socialism which is the production or capitol that is owned by the community; however, the government owns property just not private property. This relates to the book because all of the characters live their lives in response to the government because they are afraid of the consequences the government might have for them. In George Orwell’s 1984, the government uses fear to manipulate the people. Orwell conveys the ability of powerful social groups to force their dominance over others by using Big Brother as a dominant figure, the Telescreen by projecting the daily events in the world, and The Parties by making sure people follow the laws of the government.

The novel 1984 Orwell is warning us against communism. He uses many ways to get the warning across. Orwell created this world where no one is their own individual. A communist nation would never really work. Countries have tried it but it turns out to be a dictatorship. Humans can not live in a nation where everyone is completely equal; it just doesn't work. Orwell illustrates that communism destroys individuality and humanity.

Whether it is the super rich who seek control of our world, or the politicians who want to strip them of their power, it seems like Orwell might have not been as crazy as he seemed. The deeper one looks into 1984, the more one notices the similarities. The strive for equality or sameness strips citizens of their individualism, while the greediness of the rich want to control everything. The year 1984 has already past, but the dismal oppression described in 1984 will be a future in which we will always have to look out

How does the American concept of democracy reconcile with the ¨rule by the people, of the people and for the people¨ conception of democracy today?

Historically, literature has always echoed the key issues and themes present during that time. In the period which Orwell wrote this novel, totalitarian government was a popular concept seeing implementation around the world such as Nazi Germany, Soviet Russia, and Mussolini’s Italy. In the novel 1984. While Orwell’s world is a fictional one, it can be said that he uses it as a voice for social commentary, and he predictions as to what a world would be like if totalitarian governments would rule the world. This essay will aim to explore how Orwell goes about doing this.

Using his remarkable writing skills, Orwell published 1984 in hopes that he would be able to demonstrate to his readers that a communist government would lead to a totalitarian reign over all of society.

In all actuality, the United States is not a true democracy. This is largely due to the fact that many of the people in the country do not take part in its political process, choosing instead to merely function as spectators and consumers. There is a very finite number of people who actually do take part in this process certainly no more than 50 percent (in a liberal estimate) and probably limited to approximately 25 percent most of the time. When one considers this aspect of the extremely limited form of U.S. democracy due to the circumscribed involvement of the majority of its citizens, it means that essentially the country's future, and that for the rest of the world, will be determined by a small, select group of individuals typically the ones financing campaigns and ensuring that measures representing their interests are enacted. In essence, then, an oligarchy will determine the future of the country and that of the rest of the world.

1984 is a cautionary tale, where Orwell is warning the society of possible government takeover. This novel caution people to keep in mind the actions that government is taking. The reason behind this novel was World War II. It’s not a secret that post world war era looked very socialist in order to avoid future wars. Nations like Soviet Union and different European Nations practiced socialism to avoid future uprisings against the government. To some extent his warnings actually turned out to be the truth in the example of totalitarian socialist North Korea.