Developing emotions such as compassion are arguably the most fundamental part of being human. However, when a danger such as an over controlling government threatens to take those feelings away, one truly appreciates the kindness and loyalty of humans. In 1984, George Orwell is able to use O’Brien’s deceptive, astute, and political nature in order to warn readers about the negative effects that a brainwashing totalitarian government could have on human minds and emotions. At the beginning of the novel, O’Brien is presented as a character who Winston Smith could trust with his deepest thoughts. He is described as having a rather intimidating figure, with his burly physique and thick neck. Despite the menacing appearance, he was believed to be “...a person that you could talk to, if somehow you could cheat the telescreen and get him alone.” (Orwell 13) However, the kind nature was all simply a lie. For instance, in order to gain Winston’s trust, O’Brien gives away the address to his house, and turns off his telescreen. With these actions, O’Brien is able to trick Winston into confiding in him with thoughts of rebellion. Even though Winston convinces himself that O’Brien can be trusted, the truth is that he is a deceitful character …show more content…
With the back stab from this character, Orwell is able to show readers what a totalitarian government could do to human emotions. In other words, O’Brien’s character is a prime example that an over controlling totalitarian government could make even the strongest of people lose touch with the warm emotions that make up the fundamentals of being human. In conclusion, George Orwell’s portrayal of O’Brien’s deceptive, astute, and political personality in 1984 was created to demonstrate that a totalitarian government could create brainwashed monsters, rather than the caring and compassionate people we see in today’s
George Orwell’s 1984 is more than just a novel, it is a warning to a potential dystopian society of the future. Written in 1949, Orwell envisioned a totalitarian government under the figurehead Big Brother. In this totalitarian society, every thought and action is carefully examined for any sign of rebellion against the ruling party. Emotion has been abolished and love is nonexistent; an entire new language is being drafted to reduce human thought to the bare minimum. In a society such as the one portrayed in 1984, one is hardly human. In George Orwell’s 1984, the party uses fear, oppression, and propaganda to strip the people of their humanity.
1984 examines a future under the rule of a totalitarian society. One of the unique notes about Orwell's 1984, is the views that Orwell presents on humanity, and human nature. Orwell presents humanity as divided into two sides- the dominant, and the submissive, with few quickly-eradicated anomalies in between. Human nature, however, is universal, and all humans
George Orwell uses his novel 1984 to convey that human beings, as a species, are extremely susceptible to dehumanization and oppression in society. Orwell demonstrates how a government’s manipulation of technology, language, media, and history can oppress and degrade its citizens.
O’Brien’s relationship with Winston provides him a much-needed justification for his thoughts, and even after revealing himself to be a thought police, the respect from Winston is unwavered. From the first chapters of the novel, it is clear that Winston desires O’Briens justification. When Winston and O’Brien meet eyes for the first time, Winston says that he “ was thinking the same thing as himself. An unmistakable message had passed. “. Even though brief, the eye contact with O'Brien right after experiencing the 2-minute hate speaks more than
In the novel 1984 George Orwell demonstrates how the government maintains power through mind control and manipulation of the masses. Orwell hints that when the government (Big Brother), holds too much power they become crooked and devious towards the rest of the population. In a nutshell Orwell is conveying that a corrupt government destroys all chances for an ideal society. Collectively, George Orwell made a prediction of what was going to happen, and it has become a reality to some extent. Overall this is a great book for the current political state.
Authors often use their works as a way to express their own opinions and ideologies. However, it is the skill of the author that determines whether these ideas are combined with the plot seamlessly, making a creative transition of ideas from the author’s mind, to the reader’s. There is no doubt that George Orwell is a masterful writer, and one of his most popular works, 1984, clearly expresses his negative views of the Totalitarian government. A common theme in the dystopian society in 1984 is betrayal: The Party is very intolerant towards any form of disloyalty, and anyone who plots against them or Big Brother will eventually either betray their own mind and accept Big Brother as their leader, or be betrayed and revealed to The Party by
Winston’s conflict against O’Brien, and virtually against the Party further displays the dangers of an omniscient government. All individuality is silenced and the only way to make your mark is to contribute to the party. This is shown through O’Brien’s statement “every human being is doomed to die, which is the greatest of all failures. But if he can make complete, utter submission, if he can escape from his identity, if he can merge himself in the Party so that he is the Party, then he is all-powerful and immortal” (Orwell, 1977, p. 264). O’Brien’s quote of ridding uniqueness essentially describes his motives: to eradicate individuality. But without individual thought people do not have opinions on political matters and give themselves up to the state as well as giving them absolute power. Therefore, individuality is freedom, and a government that knows everything and has no opposition can convince change in all people’s opinions, followed by personalities. This leads to
In the novel 1984, George Orwell sets up a dystopia that reveals basic human qualities occur even when the people are brainwashed out of the,. This story takes place in an alternate society where life is radically different than what the world is today. The government has an extreme control on its people, brain washing them and suppressing every aspect of human connection. The citizens are taught to think that all information from the government is true even when it is blatantly obvious it isn’t. This novel allows the reader to witness the genesis of a primal love through the action of rebellion. Winston and Julia fall in love with each other as the book continues.
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.
1984, Orwell’s last and perhaps greatest work, deals with drastically heavy themes that still terrify his audience after 65 years. George Orwell’s story exemplifies excessive power, repression, surveillance, and manipulation in his strange, troubling dystopia full of alarming secrets that point the finger at totalitarian governments and mankind as a whole. What is even more disquieting is that 1984, previously considered science fiction, has in so many ways become a recognizable reality.
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.
George Orwell’s key objective throughout his novel, 1984, was to convey to his readers the imminent threat of the severe danger that totalitarianism could mean for the world. Orwell takes great measures to display the horrifying effects that come along with complete and dominant control that actually comes along with totalitarian government. In Orwell’s novel, personal liberties and individual freedoms that are protected and granted to many Americans today, are taken away and ripped from the citizen’s lives. The government takes away freedom and rights from the people so that the ruling class (which makes up the government), while reign with complete supremacy and possess all power.
Eric Blair wrote the novel 1984 under the pseudonym George Orwell. The original title of 1984 was The Last Man in Europe, however, the title was changed for unknown purposes. It has been speculated that the change in title was done because it was a mere reversal of the last two digits of the year in which it was written. The novel was first received with conflicting acclamations and criticisms. Those who provided acclamation for the novel believed that it portrayed the impending possibility of the future and what it might bring. Some reviewers, however, disliked its dystopian satire of the class system, the power struggles of world leaders, nationalism, totalitarian regimes, and bureaucracy. Others panned it as nihilistic prophesy on the
The Communist Party is considered as a bad government. The Party which Big Brother, a head figure, leader is even worse than Communism. One of the huge differences between the two parties is the idea of torturing the people. A kind of brutal torture, not physical torture, but psychological torture and causing people live in crisis. Through psychological manipulation, the Party is able to make everything it lies become the truth that it desires. When psychological is instability, thinking about a regime overthrown is almost not possible. In 1984 by George Orwell, the Inner Party manipulates the population through torture since birth. The lives of the people are being deprived of freedoms, became a docile slave, serving an anonymous inhuman
The governments in today’s society have brainwashed their citizens into believing everything their leader says and thinks is correct and everything else is wrong. This can sometimes be known as a totalitarian government. George Orwell’s novel 1984 revolves around totalitarianism. The members of the party in Oceania are taught and required to worship their leader Big Brother whether they believe in him or not. In the novel 1984, George Orwell shows the problems and the hatred with a totalitarian government through his use of symbolism, situational irony, and indirect characterization.