George Orwell's Totalitarian Government

Hiding in the shadows yet standing in full view, the signs of totalitarianism and the dangers that accompany it in 1984 are everywhere. Orwell is able to paint a frighteningly realistic picture of the all-consuming monster that is a totalitarian state. It tries to hide its negative traits by covering them up with promising lies that bring a good public image to the state. When a totalitarian style of government is employed, it gains control over every aspect of life for any unlucky citizen or bystander who happens to come under its reigns. George Orwell demonstrates his theme of Totalitarianism and the dangers thereof; illustrating itself throughout the entire story through everything from obvious signs such as the constant monitoring of

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.

George Orwell wrote his novel 1984 in 1949. Even though it was written as a dystopian political satire and many of the points he was trying to make were exaggerated, nevertheless we can still take a lot away from what Orwell wrote. To his credit, much of what he said in the novel came true to a certain extent. That is impressive considering he wrote the novel in 1949. Through his use of new topics and interesting characters, Orwell is able to provide an entertaining route to pass along some very interesting and important ideas.

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.

In an article by The New York Times, the author suggests that George Orwell’s 1984 was “a chilling exploration of absolute depravity.” Orwell’s purpose in writing 1984 was to warn the people of the dangers that could come from becoming a totalitarian society. Throughout 1984, Orwell exposes the dangers of a totalitarian society, such as the psychological torture and the physical brutality that one would experience living in such a society.

Imagine a world where no one could live without fear. Given the thought of this, one might presume that the society is dangerous and is repleted with criminal activity. However, the reality is that the government is mentally holding their citizens captive by imprisoning them into a world that dissuades one from acting on impulse. Everywhere where interactions occur between citizens lay technology that monitors everyone 's actions which prevent many from expressing themselves. Even one’s children are taught to rebel against their parent’s if any “incriminating” action occurs. Essentially, people are trapped in a world where privacy doesn’t exist which forces many to be loyal to their government. While this scenario might be absurd and

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.

“No one man should have all that power/The clocks ticking, I just count the hours/Stop tripping, I’m tripping off the power/Till then, fuck that, the world’s ours.”

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.

In George Orwell’s Oceania, every person is shaped into what Big Brother believes is a model citizen. A model citizen follows all of the countless strict rules and worships their leader, Big Brother. By not following the rules, citizens will be vaporized, which means that they will be killed and never spoken of again. The slightest mistake could ruin one’s life; even thinking the wrong thought. The Thought Police essentially kidnaps all those who commit thought crime and reshape them to worship Big Brother. In 1984 Winston Smith is reshaped into a model citizen after hating the Party and Big Brother. This is an example of one’s thoughts and feelings being suppressed by the government. In George Orwell’s 1984, totalitarianism negatively affects the citizens of Oceania by destroying relationships and suppressing thoughts, feelings and relationships between the people.

When an author writes a novel, the theme is the recurring lesson or message that is either symbolically hidden or boldly stated throughout the story. While writing 1984, George Orwell strongly displayed the theme of the dangers of power through a totalitarian government. Not only were Orwell’s ideas of corruption in an all-powerful government portrayed in his novel, 1984, but comparisons can be made with the story’s points of a spying authority, keeping the lower class ignorant, and an unscrupulous corporate influence with America’s power-heads today.

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.

Orwell presents the protagonist of the story, Winston, with a difficult decision in which consist of the options of resisting the party or continue living a false, but secure life by meeting the expectations of the Party. As the story progresses, it is notable that Orwell intends for Winston to rebel; therefore, this raises the question would Winston have been better of not challenging the Party?

The events within the early and mid-twentieth century offered the perfect climate for totalitarian and authoritarian governments to spring up within countries across the western and eastern realms. In George Orwell’s “1984,” satirical references to governments and events throughout history are used to highlight the faults in authoritarian and totalitarian ideologies to shed light on what government is capable of should the people fail to keep it in check.

In “1984,” Orwell describes a terrible society where totalitarianism reaches the top. In this circumstance, personality and freedom are strangled and thought is controlled. The most frightening aspect is that citizens have no sense right and wrong. Without a doubt, the reason why these happen is the governing of the Party, which is controlling everything in the country, Oceania. Orwell uses the control of language to show the idea that the Party solidifies its dominant position.