Edvard Munch's The Scream

In his book, 1984, Orwell has created a dark and gloomy atmosphere for the readers to witness the negative impact brought forth by a totalitarian government. Orwell has succeeded in depicting the dangers of a totalitarian government by using imagery and figurative language to create the dark and gloomy atmosphere.

“1984 expresses man’s fears of isolation and disintegration, cruelty and dehumanisation…Orwell’s repetition of obsessive ideas is an apocalyptic lamentation for the fate of modern man. His expression of the political experience of an entire generation gives 1984 a veritably mythic power

George Orwell’s 1984 is probably one of the most famous political novels in History. It´s strong criticism to authoritarianism, government abuses and sameness makes it one of the most analysed novels of the twentieth century. Hence, Orwell uses a lot of literary devices such as vivid imagery, symbolism of color and all sorts of allusions to convey the reader into his powerful criticism of authoritarian societies and how the promote the decay of free-thinking and individualism, which his the meaning of his narrative prose.

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.

In the year 1984, it was a great time. There were so many interesting things such as the bright colors in that time period, big hair, iconic toys, and a few iconic movies such as Indiana Jones and The Terminator. However, George Orwell thought that it could be very different from this in his novel 1984. In 1984, he expressed his fears of how society could very well be changed over time. He shows this dark, depressing world that shows a major few groups taking over three sections of the world. All three of them are constantly at war. There is no sense of privacy and becomes really depressing. Orwell shows this depressing world as a warning of how people need to have emotions and have a free world otherwise it is pure enslavement not one person can live without it.

George Orwell wrote his best works during the tragic events of the fierce government repression of Communist Russia and Nazi Germany during the 1940’s. He expressed various grievances toward the high authority of these totalitarian governments and the abuse of their powers. In his writings, he alludes to many well known dictators, such as Adolf Hitler and Joseph Stalin, and he cynically views them as symbols of corruption and the loss of basic human rights and freedom. In his most renowned novel, 1984, George Orwell insightfully demonstrates how the repressing influence of a totalitarian government ironically amplifies and draws out the natural essence of humanity within the characters, specifically relating to romance, hope and rebellion, and fear and betrayal throughout the novel.

George Orwell, in his book 1984, paints a picture of a grim dystopian world in which each person’s every move is monitored and manipulated by a totalitarian government called the Party. Orwell’s purpose is to warn readers that if democracy is allowed to decay into totalitarianism, the oppressive government would eventually rid the human race of its most prized possessions: thought, emotion, and knowledge. Orwell effectively proves his purpose by alluding to the historical background, appealing to the readers’ emotions, and using repetition and comparisons. In order for 1984 to explain how an oppressive government could ruin humanity, it is important to know the historical background behind the book and the author himself.

For decades, governments all over the world have abused their power ; whether it was erasing events in history, not releasing the full story of wars and crimes, or using surveillance on their citizens without them knowing. This was brought to life in the novel 1984 by George Orwell. The novel follows Winston Smith during the year 1984 in a dystopian society. The government is called the Party and is led by Big Brother, who has full control over the entire Oceania (London), along with the slogan “Big Brother is watching you,” put all over the city. The slogan is enforced by hidden cameras and microphones everywhere, including homes, and spies pretending to be average people. The Party has the citizens who work in the Ministry of Truth erase things that are in the newspaper that go against the government and what they want the city to see. The government in 1984 is similar to the government in the United States in present day.

Can you imagine living in a world where your every move is watched, you have no freedoms, and everyone you know is against you? George Orwell creates just that in the novel 1984. He creates a vivid society of oppression and tyranny in a world filled with never ending war. Everything from your actions to even your thoughts are controlled. In this society, Oceania, Orwell uses imagery and suspense to develop an atmosphere of darkness over the people.

In the book 1984, George Orwell uses symbolism in his book about a dystopian society. George Orwell wrote the book in 1948, which means that 1984 would be in the future. Orwell guesses what would happen in the future but in a dystopian society which is ruled by a totalitarian government where everyone is the same having no emotions instead of a utopian society where everyone is unique and happy.. The main character, Winston Smith, stands out from his society because he remembers some of the past and wants Big Brother, the leader of the Party which controls Oceana, to fall. By writing the book, 1984, Orwell exercises many ideas of symbolism in his book including his character's, government and objects.

In 1984, Orwell gives several different warnings about a possible dystopian future to its readers, but not all of them are valid today unlike his warnings about surveillance by powerful organizations such as governments. In 1984 Winston tells the reader how “Big Brother is always watching” . In the book, “Big Brother” is represented as an authority figure and is given a physical form, Winston states that he is “Everywhere. Always the eyes watching you and the voice enveloping you” (Orwell, 27). In today's communities people don't necessarily have a physical form of “Big Brother” but they sure do have a metaphorical form of it such as their government. “Big Brother” is used as a metaphor for any form of power whether is a physical human being or an organization such as a

Literary concepts are often used in books to make the reading experience more enjoyable. In George Orwell’s 1984, Orwell uses a key literary element, symbolism, to do this. Orwell does this in a unique way. He makes the reader want to think one way, when the reality is far different. This causes the reader to be surprised when the truth of the matter is revealed. He is able to do this by having certain objects represent one thing, and then later reveal it is something far different. This unique use of symbolism is an interesting aspect of 1984. In 1984, George Orwell uses the concept of symbolism to make the reader think of things in a way far from the truth.

Edward Munch piece of art titled The Scream (1983) was created in Oslo, Norway. It is one of the most popular work of art in the world and it is currently located at the Museum of Modern Art in New York. Most of the paintings created by this artist were done in oil, pastel on cardboard; including this one. The characteristics of this piece of art present a subjective perspective, the artist didn't fail to capture the feeling or experience of the figure, even though he didn't achieve complete or accurate depiction, which makes this painting of a impressionism style.

The novel "1984", by George Orwell, is based on the assumption of “Big Brother” and how he is watching everyone. In the book, he shows a dystopian world where there is no freedom and citizens are constantly being indoctrinated. To accomplish this, the politicians in “1984” suppress people’s thinking and take away their freedom by creating fear through propaganda, strict laws, and regular surveillances.

     Munch had a series of paintings that were exhibited in a major art show in Berlin. The series was entitled The Frieze of Life, all six of these paintings caused such shock that the show was forced to shut down. Munch had so much feelings, passions, anguish, stress, sorrow, and pain in his paintings that people just didn't understand what was going on. He thought that people were just afraid of the truth. Munch had let his feelings out, not through rage or anger, but through art, some people that attended the show saw more than just art they saw one mans feelings. Munch's painting began having a big part in German Expressionism.