Doublethink In George Orwell's 1984

In George Orwell’s novel 1984, there is global war that has been going on for as long as anyone can remember. In the novel it seems like only Winston can recall that they haven’t always been at war with the same country. The people of Oceania are told through propaganda that they have always been at war with the same country. Today we have the war on terror, that has no end in sight, a widespread societal fear, suspension of certain civil liberties, and an unclear enemy who could be anywhere or anything.

There are many contradictions throughout George Orwell’s 1984; for example, in the Party’s philosophy, there is the belief that War is Peace. An example of a quote that explains the idea that war is peace is, “the very word ‘war’ therefore, has become misleading. It would probably be accurate to say that by becoming continuous war has ceased to exist...the three superstates, instead of fighting one another, should agree to live in perpetual peace...a peace that was truly permanent would be the same as a permanent war” (199). This quote explains that war is peace because as the three superstates live in peace forever, they are also living at war forever. Another contradiction in the Party’s philosophy is Ignorance is Strength. This means that if the people remain ignorant and not question the Party, they will strengthen their society. These contradictions are also examples of paradox because even though they seem self-contradictory, they reveal a truth. In addition, an important principle to the Party in 1984 is the term Doublethink. “Doublethink means the power of holding two contradictory beliefs in one’s mind simultaneously, and accepting both of them” (214). Contradiction plays a big role in Doublethink because a member of the Party is expected to accept two beliefs that contradict each other at the same time, and they have to control the direction in which their memories should be altered. Doublethink satisfies the needs of the Party because “ultimately it is by means of

Throughout the novel, Orwell makes it clear that The Party needs doublethink to abstain the amount of power they have. Doublethink is where one believes in two contradictory beliefs or opinions. The way the Party fulfills their need of the people using doublethink is with constant propaganda and sayings. The slogan “Ignorance is Strength” is especially controlling. If the people are kept ignorant, the Party remains it’s strength. Another example of doublethink and propaganda would be the slogan “Freedom is Slavery”. The people believe they are free, but in reality, they are slaves to the Party; they do as they are told or consequences are present. As long as people use doublethink, the Party will remain intact. While Winston is being tortured,

Envision yourself living in Soviet Russia at the peak of the USSR regime. Your thoughts, ideas and feelings are all enslaved working in the field of “equality” while Stalin watches from his porch. George Orwell's timeless classic, 1984, takes place in a dingy, dystopian future ruled by a totalitarian government that controls its people through a combination of manipulation and fear. The Thought Police enforces the austere rules set by The Party based on their ideology of Ingsoc which demands the complete submission of the mental, physical and moral status of the people. First published in 1949, 4 years after the end of World War II and 2 years after the start of the Cold War, 1984 serves as a social outcry and warning for all its readers. Finishing

“IGNORANCE IS STRENGTH” is one of the party’s key phrases. This means that having uneducated, oblivious people, contributes to the power of the party. The citizens of Oceania must believe everything the government tells them in order to be controlled. People who refuse to believe these lies, or try to let people know the truth, are considered enemies of the party. This is considered thoughtcrime, and anyone who is found guilty is subject to ‘vaporization’, and will never be seen again. In 1984, George Orwell uses characterization of the protagonists, Winston and Julia, and plot to explain how in a society built upon countless lies, it is a crime to think or spread the truth.

George Orwell's 1984 is very relevant to today because many of the issues that the book covers are still occurring today. One of the topics the book covers is power and how there are people getting special treatment just because of the position of power they have or how much money they make. Today people who have important positions like politicians, CEOs and people who work with the law like lawyers and judges. These people make a lot of money, so they are able to influence things like politics and they can easily get what they want. People who do not have the same amount of income as they do they have less of an influence on politics and they have to work harder to get what they want.

“1984” by George Orwell presents a dystopian picture where a society is being ruled by stringent totalitarianism. “1984” depicts a society where there is no freedom. Strict laws and ever-present surveillances create fear in people’s heart that suppresses their thinking. There are these two-way monitors that broadcast government propaganda, news and entertainment, and spy citizens’ private lives at the same time. The government also alters and filters the information it gives to the people to control their rationalization and mindset.

Living in a general public with constrained opportunity of expression is not, regardless, pleasant. A totalitarian culture is a decent case of such a general public, in light of the fact that in spite of the fact that it gives control for the general population, it can deny them a lot of opportunity to convey what needs be. The anecdotal society in George Orwell 's 1984 additionally remains as an illustration for a totalitarian culture. Correspondence, individual convictions, and individual steadfastness to the administration are altogether controlled by the inward party which represents the general population of Oceania with a specific end goal to keep them from revolting. Current society in America is a great deal more popularity based. It stands out from Orwell 's general public of 1984 in light of the fact that correspondence, individual convictions and the general population 's dependability to the administration are altogether controlled by the person.

People, in general, will believe what those in power say as long as it fits their own wants and needs. Machiavelli stated, “Men are so simple and so much inclined to obey immediate needs that a deceiver will never lack victims for his deception”

The reality, as we know it, is something real that we face every day. Does anyone have the means to alter the life you have been facing? In “1984”, written by George Orwell, introduced the concept of an authoritarian tyrannical government in a futuristic setting, where the authorities alter the lives and beliefs of citizens residing in their domain. If the citizens choose to disobey the ideals of Big Brother, the main figment of authority, they face severe consequences, one of them involving being utterly erased from existence. The most astonishing part of Orwell’s work is that he does not describe this futuristic era in an obvious manner. He makes sure that the reader enters his creation. The real question is, does Big Brother or anyone else have the ability to deem what is the truth and what is not? Do they have the right to constrict people’s minds to believe in what they want them to believe? It’s not possible to completely

A- 1984 is largely written in the third person, but Orwell chooses to have access only to the mind of Winston Smith. What is the effect of this when Winston thinks about O’Brien?

George Orwell in his dystopian, political and social work of fiction Nineteen Eighty-Four (ofttimes printed as 1984), published in 1949 defined the concept of 'doublethink' via a book in the novel titled The Theory and Practice of Oligarchical Collectivism, read out aloud by the protagonist, written supposedly by Emmanuel Goldstein, a leader of 'The Brotherhood'; generally acknowledged as a fictitious creation of The Party. The definition in the book states - "Doublethink means the power of holding two contradictory beliefs in one's mind simultaneously, and accepting both of them". However, the concept itself is introduced in the very beginning of the novel as :

In a chilling cautionary tale, George Orwell’s novel 1984 recounts an everyman’s epic, yet futile attempt at overthrowing the twisted, totalitarian government under which he dwells. Contrary to typical literary heroes, Winston Smith lacks any extraordinary qualities that set him apart from other characters. In fact, nearly every aspect of his life channels his mediocrity, as his name, appearance, job, and social status merely stand as average. However, heroes are defined as individuals who oppose evil, and are willing to sacrifice themselves in the pursuit of attaining their goal. Therefore, although Winston fails to catalyze a revolution nor accomplish any effective resistance, his rebellious attitudes and actions grant him heroic status.

I came to this country about 3 years ago from China and I started learning English once I arrived in the United States. As you might know, Chinese and English are very different. Having English speaking parents helped me a lot in learning English. As a writer I have improved my grammar, vocabulary, and sentence structure in my writing.

On September 6th, 2017, I saw the play 1984 by George Orwell at The Hippodrome Theatre in Gainesville. The play was about how the main character Winston, who’s portrayed by Niail McGinty, goes on a journey to rebel against the party in control of his country, the Inner Party, and he runs into somebody he believes is an ally to him, O’Brien, who is portrayed by V Craig Heidenreich, but he is really a part of the Inner Party. They eventually convince Winston to believe in the Inner Party and their ruler, Big Brother. Even though Heidenreich did a good job, I think McGinity’s acting was better. Heidenreich was very effective at portraying himself to be an ally to McGinty and remaining in character throughout the time Heidenreich beat him, but I found that McGinty’s performance was outstanding and superior to his due to commitment to his character.