The True Lesson Of 1984

In the book 1984, Orwell vividly describes a society driven by a totalitarian government that thrives on controlling what everyone does, think, or say. The main character, Winston Smith, undergoes the loss of his distinct character as he is created in the Party's image in anticipation of him not only obeying, but loving Big Brother. As discussed in class this novel was written not only for entertainment or pleasure but as a warning sign to others. Throughout the novel Orwell discussed many things that made him believe that the problems in 1984 will still exist in today’s society. Although there were numerous issues discussed I consider the most relevant were the discussions about Big Brother, War, and Newspeak.

“War is peace. Freedom is slavery. Ignorance is strength.” (Orwell 4). These three seemingly contradictory statements are the national slogans of the Party, the totalitarian regime government in George Orwell’s classic novel, 1984. Through psychological manipulation, an authoritarian government can have many harmful effects on society. Orwell’s novel is a prime example of this, and the oversight and regulation the Party has over its citizens is evident throughout the course of the novel. Orwell shows the reader the dangers of a totalitarian government, and the ways in which it can completely manipulate its citizens.

For example, if one were to “Doublethink”, one would say the sky is yellow and at the same time claim it to appear blue. Doublethink pits logic against logic; it allows you to reject morality, but then claim it to be true. While employing doublethink, one can forget certain knowledge, and then draw it back into memory when it comes of use. By utilizing doublethink, one can control one’s memories by choosing to forget an occurrence or experience. The process of “Doublethink” runs rampant in 1984 as it is heavily displayed in the society. For example, the Party’s four ministries have origins in “Doublethink” as the Ministry of Plenty supervises resource shortages, the Ministry of Love emits maltreatment and harsh retributions, the Ministry of Truth who unfurl propaganda and adulterate historical knowledge, and the Ministry of Peace who instruct war (Orwell 7). Also,

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.

In the novel 1984, written by George Orwell, a totalitarian government known as “the Party” and headed by the symbolic “Big Brother” is in command of the country of Oceania. This government demands complete and absolute control of the minds of its citizens. Reality is whatever the Party says it is in Oceania. Big Brother has complete control of the media and also claims to be above even the laws of mathematics and physics. There is an extraordinarily strong and influential relationship between media control and perception of reality both in the novel and in the real world.

1984 examines a future under the rule of a totalitarian society. One of the unique notes about Orwell's 1984, is the views that Orwell presents on humanity, and human nature. Orwell presents humanity as divided into two sides- the dominant, and the submissive, with few quickly-eradicated anomalies in between. Human nature, however, is universal, and all humans

Correspondingly, the basis of any speaker’s arguments is logos or the logic and reasoning behind their views. In order for the party’s message to be accepted by Winston, they must first analyze and understand the his current views. Winston Smith, above all, values honesty and the truth. The protagonist even goes as far as to root his own reality in objective truth: “Freedom is the freedom is to say that two plus two makes four. If that is granted all else follows.” (Orwell 81). As an anti-historian of a sort, Smith’s purpose is to reshape history in accordance with the party. Though, when he catches the party in a lie he begins to understand that there is no objective truth in his society. The parties lies are the reality for all citizens of Oceania- the fictional nation in which 1984 is set. Winston believes that if a human being uses their own natural logic and comes to the conclusion that two plus two equals four even if the party says that is incorrect- they would still be free in the terms of individual thought. Big Brother and the party’s main focus is to destroy any semblance of free and objective thought

September 11, 2001, was a day that caused physical and emotional destruction because of the terror attacks that took place at the World Trade Center and the Twin Towers.There are many conspiracy theories that have come up causing great speculation of what actually happened and are argued to this day.A conspiracy theory is a theory that explains an event as a result or secret plan organized by a covert group.Many conspiracists believe that the United States government was behind the 9/11 attacks and altered the events and information and persuaded citizens into believing that the Islamic group Al-Qaeda was responsible. Similarly in 1984 by George Orwell, the government alters the truth to keep control of the country.The main protagonist Winston Smith works at the Ministry of Truth where he works to destroy any evidence where Big Brother could be called into question and also changes how events happened to fit the Party’s expectations.The purpose of his job is for the other citizens to continue to believe that Oceania is a perfect place to live in because of its economic, social, and military dominance. The Party is also responsible for watching and hearing everything that happens in Oceania.The Thought Police placed telescreens in every household and through these telescreens everything someone does can be seen and heard leaving no one with privacy; comparable to how after the 9/11 attacks, security across the United States tightened up. Anything that was seen as suspicious

In George Orwell's "1984" society is manipulated and guided by an organization called the Party and an anonymous figure named Big Brother, who is used as God. One of the main aspects the Party controls is truth or tries to control is truths in the society and the truth in the minds of the individual themselves. The Party creates what they want to be true to make the individuals ignorant so they can manipulate them easier. This twist of the truth by the Party makes it seem like truth doesn't actually exist, but for Winston it does exist or it once did. Truth does exist if the individual is rebellious to the extent to where it will not get them vaporized and Winston is one of those rebels. He and others are able to experience

Back in 1949 George Orwell imagined a future where everyone was always being watched, the government always keeping tabs on people. In his novel 1984, that is the reality. He depicts the events of the government along with how everyone must watch their every move because “Big Brother” is always watching. Marxism exists in this novel through materialism. Materialism refers to the components of daily lives related directly to one`s economic status. The book 1984 also uses socialism which is the production or capitol that is owned by the community; however, the government owns property just not private property. This relates to the book because all of the characters live their lives in response to the government because they are afraid of the consequences the government might have for them. In George Orwell’s 1984, the government uses fear to manipulate the people. Orwell conveys the ability of powerful social groups to force their dominance over others by using Big Brother as a dominant figure, the Telescreen by projecting the daily events in the world, and The Parties by making sure people follow the laws of the government.

In the novel, of 1984 by George Orwell, can Big Brother control what is real and what is not? He controls the past and by instilling fear in its citizens. He controls people by controlling minds and preventing anyone from being able to disprove it. He would also use methods to control the way people would speak in Oceania.

There is the concept of an ideal world, a future where humanity has reached its peak and the global society is at peace. Then we flip the coin to realise that a dystopic future too is possible, one where humanity is lost to the chains of oppression and control. George Orwell’s classic yet hauntingly prophetic work “ 1984” represents this dystopian human society, a frightening yet vivid description of what the world would be if human desire for power and control was given free reign. Although Orwell wrote this text in the context of the rise of Fascism in Europe, the rise of Nuclear Aggression and the Cold War rivalry, the text carries significance even today, as Government control over its citizens, surveillance over every aspect of private

Once a citizen is convinced through the constant presence of Big Brother, there is no need for proof of his existence, leaving no room for epistemology. Conversely, Winston Smith begins to explore the metaphysical question of whether Big Brother truly exists in the same way that he himself exists. Unlike the majority of the citizens, Winston is equipped with the tools and intelligence that are required to question the aims of the party. This intelligence, when combined with his constant questioning and need to find the answers leads to Winston's capture and reintegration, (brainwashing) after which he is made to believe that Big Brother exists. He does not know that Big Brother exists; he has no epistemological proof, just a manufactured belief. As O'Brien states, "Of course he exists. The Party exists. Big Brother is the embodiment of the Party" (214). It is never explicitly expressed that Big Brother exists in the flesh to Winston or to the reader. Rather Winston falls victim to the efforts of the party, believing with no solid proof that Big Brother exists. And the reader deduces from the text that Big Brother does not exist as a living being, but rather a character, an icon, "the embodiment of the Party." The reader knows in a metaphysical sense that Big Brother does not exist as a person, but rather as a character or a tool of propaganda.

1984 provides the reader with evidence that Big Brother is brainwashing his subjects. An example for this is when Winston is walking to the junk shop where he bought the diary. On the way he sees a church and “[He] wonders as to what century the church belonged” (Orwell 98). The government has hidden or destroyed so much of the past; to the point where Winston does not even have an idea

In 1984, “Big Brother Is Watching You.” Someone couldn’t take two steps without bumping into a poster of a stern-looking man (known as Big Brother) seeming to stare into the soul of the viewer. Big Brother acts as a Godlike figure to the citizens of Oceania, a super-nation constantly at war with the other two super-nations. The government of Oceania, the Party, keeps citizens in a vice-like grip through constant surveillance and laws placed on every aspect of human existence. The only loyalty allowed is to the Party. The Party controls the past, the present, and the future through its control over anything and everything. The government set up in 1984 directly reflects that of a totalitarian government. Totalitarianism as it exists in George Orwell’s 1984 exhibits key features which bare striking resemblance to modern governments.