Analyzing 1984 by George Orwell using Marxist Theory Marxist Theory focuses on the idea that whoever controls the means of production in a society controls the society and the means of production would be placed with the hands of the masses (“Marxist Theory” 2). Karl Marx wrote and believed that literature was a reflection of culture and culture was affected by literature (2). 1984 by George Orwell is a dystopian novel that focuses on the life of a man named Winston Smith. The story follows how he is unhappy with the flawed, but powerful government of his home, Oceania (more specifically Airstrip 1, London) and his quest to understand and overthrow it. Marxist Theory can be seen in the government’s control over the Party members, the government’s control over the Proles, and the …show more content…
In this society, the Inner and Outer Party members are constantly being reminded of the Party’s power and are essentially brainwashed into thinking what the Party wants them to think and do at all times. Things like propaganda, two-minutes hate (rallies where Party members must watch a video of the Party’s enemies and express hatred towards them), telescreens which watch the people’s every move, and most importantly fear of being vaporized from their very world are what drives the citizens towards obedience and towards support for the Party. Orwell even says, “Winston kept his back turned to the telescreen. It was safer, though, as he well knew, even a back can be revealing” (Orwell 3). These examples show the many ways that the Party exercises its control. With all these things surrounding these people’s lives, it is no wonder they live in fear and are brainwashed. All they know and will ever know is of the Party. As Marx predicted, the Party controls the means of production in Oceania, so therefore they control Oceania itself (“Marxist Theory”
The government of Oceania used propaganda in so many amazing ways. Their posters of Big Brother along with their slogans caused many people to crumble. The most important of these slogans is "BIG BROTHER IS WATCHING YOU." (pg. 4) They are trying to relay the message that you are never alone, no matter what you are doing, you will be caught. Again they also use the telescreens to implement their forms of propaganda. The two minutes of hate became a frenzy where "People were leaping up and down in their places and shouting at the tops of their voices " (pg. 16) They are inspiring loyalty to the party, making it so their enemies are evil and completely hated and the party loved and always correct "The dark-haired girl behind Winston had begun crying out Swine! Swine! Swine!, and suddenly picked up a heavy newspeak dictionary and flung it at the screen. It struck Goldstein 's nose " (pg. 16) The junior anti-sex league was a form of propaganda used to stop teens completely from engaging in sexual relations which causes loyalty between people. Once again the party is trying to eliminate any types of bond which could lead to insurrection or loyalty to anything other than the party itself "The party was trying to kill the sex instinct, or, if it could not be killed, than to distort it and dirty it." (pg. 69) The most hidden way that the party controls its
Human history is full of hundred and millions of evil deeds, tragedies , wars and disasters. From the past decades the social and economic problems has a huge impact on human livings ,which are still existed in our world. Many novels and plays are being made on the social and economic aspects of life which are based on different literary lenses. The novel 1984 by George Orwell is all about the man named Hinston smith who lives in the society which is controlled by the political party leader named big brother. He decided to be a rebellion and to fight against the big brother and get out from this darkness eventually ended up dying at the end. the novel 1984 demonstrated the many fundamental themes as a perspective of Marxist theory. The
Marxism is a theory that analyses social hierarchy and class struggle though the proletariats (lower class) and the
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.
In the novel 1984, George Orwell relates the tension between outward conformity and inward questioning by allowing the reader to see inside of the mind of Winston Smith. Orwell uses Winston’s rebellious thoughts to counteract his actions in order to show the reader how a dystopian society can control the citizens. Although Winston is in an obvious state of disbelief in the society, his actions still oppose his thoughts because of his fear of the government. Winston’s outward conformity and inward questioning relate to the meaning of the novel by showing Winston’s fight to truth being ended by the dystopian society’s government.
Marxism (1895–1900) is the economic and political theory and practice originated by Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels that holds that actions and human institutions are economically determined, that the class struggle is the basic agency of historical change, and that capitalism will ultimately be superseded by communism. They include the notion of economic determinism that political and social structures are determined by the economic conditions of people. Marxism calls for a classless society where all means of production are commonly owned, a system to be reached as an inevitable result
They don’t hear for themselves, see for themselves, speak for themselves, or even think for themselves. Everything is an artifact of Big Brother. “A Party member is required to not only have the right opinions, but the right instincts” (211). They are naturally orthodox. They’re unable to think deeply on any subject or can’t even have private emotions from enthusiasm. They go home and turn on their telescreens in order to soak up some more “truths” by their “honorable” leader. These truths are the only things they’re exposed to. Oceania is a society dedicated to obedience and the people define ignorance. All human characteristics are abolished because of the restriction of minds and the destruction of personal thoughts apart from obedience. Newspeak operate as the obstacle. Only appropriate basic emotions are allowed with new speak, keeping all the citizens under strict watch. Without a way to express any feeling of displeasure or disagreement there is no form of rebellion and Big Brother remains
Marxism is a theory based on “a materialist interpretation of historical development and a dialectical view of social transformation” (Wikipedia, 2017) by philosophers Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels. Marxism focuses on social contradictions and the struggle between socioeconomic classes, which are proletariat, who are the poor people and the working class; and bourgeoisie, the rich people that control the means of production. Marxist theory states that the only way to eliminate the differences between both classes is a violent revolution that will lead to a communist society.
Marxism is a method of analyzing socioeconomic status. This idea/method of Marxism started in the mid to late 19th century with the philosophers Karl Marx and Friedrich Engles: they analyzed the class relationships and the societal conflict. The Marxist methodology used economic, social, and political ideas to understand the development of capitalism and the role of class struggle in relation with the economic change. The analysis showed that the class conflict came from the problems between the proletariat and the bourgeoisie. The proletariat were the laborers of the factories and the mines. The bourgeoisie were the private owners of these factories and mines. As the problem between the two groups of people grew, the proletariat saw that this
Designed over two hundred years ago, Karl Marx’s philosophy defines specific characteristics known today as the Marxist approach. In this critical approach, whomever holds the power and controls the factories or means of production, consequently controls the whole society. Marx’s opinion states that the laborers running the factories and thus holding the means of production should be the ones holding the power. However, this idea rarely holds true in practical society. Frequently, Marx notes, powerful people hire others to carry out the labor. This division of power reflects current culture. Two main classes or categories of people exist, the bourgeoisie and proletariat. The bourgeoisie is the powerful, or those who are in charge of
In 1984, George Orwell uses cultural, psychological, and social surroundings to shape Winston Smith's (the main protagonist) psyche. The society's culture is restrictive, the government brainwashes people and children into following the government's rule, and his social encounters, especially with his girlfriend Julia, shape his morality.
George Orwell was the pseudonym for Eric Arthur Blair, and he was famous for his personnel vendetta against totalitarian regimes and in particular the Stalinist brand of communism. In his novel, 1984, Orwell has produced a brilliant social critique on totalitarianism and a future dystopia, that has made the world pause and think about our past, present and future, as the situation of 1984 always remains menacingly possible. The story is set in a futuristic 1984 London, where a common man Winston Smith has turned against the totalitarian government. Orwell has portrayed the concepts of power, marginalization, and resistance through physical, psychological, sexual and political control. The way that Winston Smith, the central
History has shown that communism is not an effective way to rule society. This is apparent in the novel 1984 and with the reign of the Nazi era. In the book 1984, the protagonist Winston Smith is a average person living in Oceania, Airstrip One, England. Winston wants a better life, he wants a life of freedom and tries to fight against Big Brother and the corruption of the society it has built. Like Adolf Hitler and the Nazi’s, The Party wants supreme government with full power over people and will manipulate its people beliefs by dividing the social classes, using propaganda, and terror to force people to conform.
The Marxist's perspective is dominantly based on economic factors and over emphasizes them; money is assumed to be everything within society and social life. In my view, something is clearly missing here such as values and other social factors. Assuming that money is everything within society leads to assumptions that those owning the productive and therefore economic resources are given the power and use it to control those without to maintain their hegemony. Further factors that can form and shape society like gender, ethnicity, age, culture etc. are not taken into consideration and neglected. Hence the Marxist perspective focuses on having versus not having, earning versus not earning and powerful versus powerless.
Marxism is the theory of Karl Marx and Fredrich Engels, it’s based on the economical and social system. Marxism emphasizes on the importance of class struggle in society. They thought that economic processes and class struggles laid the groundwork for every important era and movement in history, and would lead to the downfall of the upper class and the rise of an egalitarian communist society. Under capitalism, the working class or “the people,” own only their capacity to work; they have the ability only to sell their own labor. According to Marx a class is defined by the relations of its members to the means of production. The worker is alienated because he has no control over the labor or product which he produces. The