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Analysis Of George Orwell 's 1984

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To have critical, independent , educated thought in today’s society is essential. The kind of technology and media used by the general public now is making it harder to find unbiased information. George Orwell’s 1984 shows how the lack of critical thought can lead the world towards a totalitarian dystopia. The three main symbols that reveal the theme of thinking independently are Big Brother, the four ministries of Oceania, and Winston’s diary. Although Big Brother is merely a figurehead, he plays a major role in The Party’s plan to seize control of Oceania, as well as revealing the main theme in Orwell’s book. He is a creation of The Party, used to personify the government and make manipulating Oceania easier. Pictures of him are posted all around Airstrip One, reminding people that “BIG BROTHER IS WATCHING YOU…” (3) When one is constantly being monitored, it is much more difficult to think for oneself as the pressure to not say anything that may be identified as suspicious increases. Privacy is a privilege most people have today. However, in Winston’s world, it does not exist. The inhabitants of Oceania are continuously being supervised and know it: “ You have to live - did live, from habit that became instinct - in the assumption that every sound you make was overheard, and, except in darkness, every movement scrutinised.” (5) The citizens accept that they are being tracked all the time since most of them never had such a thing as privacy. Therefore, they will not know

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