Essay about Totalitarian Goverments in George Orwell’s Novel 1984

George Orwell’s 1984, widely known for its chilling descriptions of the dystopian society of Oceania, warns of a world in which individuality is virtually destroyed as one oppressive government controls all aspects of life. Decades after the novel’s publication in 1949, various nations today draw unsettling parallels with the characteristics of the government described in 1984. North Korea is one such example, particularly seen as a controversial topic in global debate. Although North Korea and Oceania in 1984 both possess totalitarian governments that attempt to control and restrict individualism, the means in which each government originated and gained authority differ.

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 the book 1984 by George Orwell, a totalitarian government is emphasized. Throughout the story, it is revealed that all the government cares about is war and power within themselves. It is clearly shown that the intentions of the government in Oceania are self-serving and not benevolent. With the use of Newspeak and Doublethink, Orwell further shows that the intentions of the government are one sided and are only effective for themselves. The way in which the government runs its people expresses the idea of selfishness and that all benefits are only for the government. Through the use of surveillance, torture, and complete removal of people's privacy, the government is able to manipulate and scare people into obeying the government, which in turn only makes the government stronger.

No one likes being overly supervised and watched. Whether it is a teenager with protective parents or an adult in the workplace with an ever-watching boss the feeling of continuously being watched is unnerving. Throughout history the levels of government supervision have fluctuated from lows to extremes but sometimes the future seems to hold even more watchful governments. These were the feelings when George Orwell wrote the novel 1984. George Orwell showed a world without the freedoms that citizens in the United States live with every day. From looking at the text of 1984 it is obvious how scary a world it is, however this would never be possible in the United States, where inhabitants are

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.

Things to know: 1984 was a book written about life under a totalitarian regime from an average citizen’s point of view. This book envisions the theme of an all knowing government with strong control over its citizens. This book tells the story of Winston Smith, a worker of the Ministry of Truth, who is in charge of editing the truth to fit the government’s policies and claims. It shows the future of a government bleeding with brute force and propaganda. This story begins and ends in the continent of Oceania one of the three supercontinents of the world. Oceania has three classes the Inner Party, the Outer Party and the lowest of all, the Proles (proletarian). Oceania’s government is the Party or Ingsoc (English Socialism

George Orwell’s key objective throughout his novel, 1984, was to convey to his readers the imminent threat of the severe danger that totalitarianism could mean for the world. Orwell takes great measures to display the horrifying effects that come along with complete and dominant control that actually comes along with totalitarian government. In Orwell’s novel, personal liberties and individual freedoms that are protected and granted to many Americans today, are taken away and ripped from the citizen’s lives. The government takes away freedom and rights from the people so that the ruling class (which makes up the government), while reign with complete supremacy and possess all power.

Freedom - having the right to act, speak or think as one wants. Over time, people in power have challenged this concept of freedom, through the establishment of a “perfect” totalitarian society which includes a government system which is dictatorial and requires complete subservience to the state. Both George Orwells novel 1984, and Kurt Wimmer’s Si-Fi thriller Equilibrium were written with the purpose of warning readers of the dangers of totalitarian governments. Through reference to symbolism, setting and character it is evident that, when acted on, the perils of totalitarian control deplete the physical and emotional strength of individuals in society.

Ministry of Destruction In times of destruction and complete chaos, it is part of our nature as humans to look to a sole leader or person who says they can change situations for the better. 1984 by George Orwell is the perfect example of this human nature on display. Orwell’s dystopian novel is about a post war London community that has been ravished by the effects of war. This period of confusion and longing for normalcy has led to the rise and control of a totalitarian government sometime before the book begins.

“Until they become conscious they will never rebel and until after they have rebelled they cannot become conscious(Orwell,Pg 70).” George Orwell's novel ‘1984” conveys that the Totalitarian government has the ability to separate societies based on their political beliefs, as well as having the ability to treat the ones who do not fit in their societies like animals. A short term for this would be explained as ‘Systematic Dehumanization’ which occurs certain human characteristics are denied to an outgroup. Examples of these outgroups in the story includes; The Proles, Obliteration of human emotions and instinct except loyalty to the Party, and the Lack of privacy of people in the outer and inner party.

George Orwell, the author of 1984, gives the reader a glimpse of the now past future, which is not good at all. Orwell believe that in his future, the year 1984, people will live mindlessly and completely controlled by a totalitarian government. Most of his ideas are portrayed through the narration of Winston, a man who sees the world with an uncontrolled mind. He also uses Julie to help influence the the rebellious mindset of Winston. Both of these characters show the reader how everyone does act, due to both Julia and Winston having to act like they are conformed, and how an uncontrolled mind thinks in this setting. George Orwell mainly uses point of view, along with symbolism, and tone to portray the themes of totalitarianism and rebellion.

Annika Jiang English 11 Mr. Cranston 2017.12.11 Down With Big Brother —1984 Thematic Essay Plato said that thinking is “the talking of the soul with itself.” Without thinking for ourselves, we fall into the vice of conformism. The dystopian novel, 1984 by George Orwell, follows the protagonist, Winston Smith’s rebellion against the Party and Big Brother. Thought control, as a prominent subject in 1984, is reflected in the destruction of self-awareness and individual identity, prevention of empathizing and relinquishment of beliefs and values.

The governments in today’s society have brainwashed their citizens into believing everything their leader says and thinks is correct and everything else is wrong. This can sometimes be known as a totalitarian government. George Orwell’s novel 1984 revolves around totalitarianism. The members of the party in Oceania are taught and required to worship their leader Big Brother whether they believe in him or not. In the novel 1984, George Orwell shows the problems and the hatred with a totalitarian government through his use of symbolism, situational irony, and indirect characterization.

Winston Smith lived in a world of lies, chaos, and disorder. His uniform was shabby and living space cold and dirty. Changing the past to suit the present was his job where he worked, the Ministry of Truth. One day, he encountered a beautiful young woman of about 26 years of age and instantly fell in love. Little did he know that she would be the one who would end his life. He dreams of sleeping with her but fears that he would be captured by the Thought Police because sex is illegal. During the Two Minutes Hate - a time when members of Ingsoc come together to despise Emmanuel Goldstein, a man who supported freedom and rights - the woman passes a note to Winston. It says for

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.