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The Control Of Children In 1984 By George Orwell

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Information and knowledge equals power. When one can control the dissemination of information, they can control the people affected by it. In his dystopian novel, 1984, George Orwell portrays children as being programmed to turn against their families just as children in today’s society are brainwashed into falsely accusing a once-loved parent in Parental Alienation cases. Children in 1984 are taught the party’s ways when they are young and impressionable, enabling them to act as spies who will sever ties with family members for the betterment of the party. Julia was brainwashed by the party as a child, allowing their views and opinions to influence her own. Orwell states that “She had grown up in the revolution and was way too young to remember the ideological battles of the fifties and sixties” (Orwell, 153). Julia’s knowledge of events before the revolution is skewed because she doesn’t have a trusted family member to provide her with accurate facts. Unlike Winston, Julia has always known a world with Big Brother, and even though she rebels, she ultimately never questions the party’s authority. As a result of the brainwashing techniques, Julia is content with her life and doesn’t expect much more from it. The children in the party believe in every piece of information and propaganda produced by the party. During Hate Week, the children were taught a song and “The Parson’s children played it at all hours of the night and day…” (Orwell, 148). The party ensures that

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