Totalitarianism In 1984

In modern society, people have seen the development of technology and the improvement of policy. But in George Orwell’s novel entitled 1984, set in a dystopian world, the protagonist named Winston who works for the Ministry of Truth in London. He finds love with Julia, and they begin to question the Party. The author portrayed the world in his novel was oppressive and totalitarianism. However, In George Orwell’s novel 1984, the dystopian world and the totalitarianism state will not develop in the future society. In the ways of the conformity, the reality control and laws and regulations.

“BIG BROTHER IS WATCHING YOU”(Orwell 2), is a saying that surrounds society in the classic novel 1984. The author, George Orwell provides his audience with an abundant amount of themes throughout his writing. One very prominent one is Orwell’s psychological manipulation of his characters. As characters within this society are constantly surrounded by sayings such as, “WAR IS PEACE”, “FREEDOM IS SLAVERY”, and “IGNORANCE IS STRENGTH”(Orwell 4), Orwell shows the ultimate type of control within his characters. Orwell is able to achieve such psychological manipulation in his characters through physical control and the abundance of technology. Without Orwell’s use of telescreens, his characters would be able to have their

Totalitarianism diminishes the idea of individuality and destroys all chances of self-improvement, and human’s natural hunger for knowledge. In George Orwell’s famous novel, “1984”, totalitarianism is clearly seen in the exaggerated control of the state over every single citizen, everyday, everywhere. Totalitarianism can also be seen in the book “Brave New World” by Aldous Huxley, in which humans are synthetically made and conditioned for their predestinated purpose on earth. The lack of individualism will lead a community towards a dystopia in which freedom is vanished by the uncontrolled power of the state.

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.

Winston Smith is a typical example of vertebrae in the spine of any society. Hard working and keeps a rigid structure by absorbing impact, filling the spaces with his unknown desires. The bending of laws to avoid self-destruction in constant pressure from society and government. The idea of having every thought controlled, monitored and limited to what the elite deem as a necessary compromise to maintain peace and order in Oceania or any other Utopia in a general sense. Power is in tearing human minds to pieces and putting them together again in new shapes of their own choosing, to understand the concept is the true hell for Winston.

Imagine a world where the government, also called The Party, controls everything the citizens do. The Party monitors their every move by the telescreens that are in every home. Thoughtcrime is the act of thinking something that goes against Big Brother or threatens the Party’s power. If one does commit thoughtcrime, then they Thought Police will capture them and give them consequence. There is no essence of humanity in this world. Everyone is stripped of their own thoughts and told what to do and what to believe. This is the world portrayed in novel

Before the concept of government existed mankind still attempted to gain dominance over one another. Once the concept was developed governments remained consistent in their attempts to gain control of their people and world domination. Adolf Hitler and other dictators were prime examples of totalitarianism “attempting to control every aspect of its subjects, viewing any sign of independence as treasonous centralized party” ( Quinn 1). Along came “historical catastrophes which would lead them to create a false utopia vision of the just society” (Quinn 2). George Orwell noticed this tug of war for control and wrote about it in his novel. The novel’s protagonist, Winston Smith, would struggle to retain his

The government of 1984 is 100% totalitarianistic. The psychological deterioration of its citizens was insane. The living conditions were horrid and the simple necessities provided by the government were disgusting and not sufficing in the least. There was someone watching you at each second except in RARE occasions. Relationships were not allowed, and love was basically non existent nor was it permitted.

Totalitarian governments have been used countless times as examples of the privileges Americans have, simply by living in this country. For many 1984 is simply a fictional book that is distorted beyond belief and that it is an exaggeration of something that may never happen, for others however it is a reality they face every day in Communist or fascist countries. The liberal values that lack in 1984 are ones that many Americans take for granted; life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. George Orwell’s 1984 is an embodiment of the values America holds dear and an indictment against other forms of government because it serves as a reminder of the values Americans are privileged with.

George Orwell and Aldous Huxley both penned novels about their prophecies of a future ruled by totalitarianism. Neil Postman juxtaposes these prophecies in an excerpt from his book, Amusing Ourselves to Death. Orwell’s vision proclaims the oppression of an external source, while Huxley’s states that the greatest oppression comes from within a society. Postman argues that Huxley’s vision pertains to today’s society more than Orwell’s. His assertion correctly expresses the fears about society’s future, identifying the power of internal passivity over external captivity.

Throughout George Orwell’s life he encountered a form of government known as totalitarianism. This form of government uses political authority in order to gain complete control of its people's lives. What Orwell found and what many others find is that this type of government often leads to the authoritative figure trying to suppress the emotions and concepts that are key to human essence such as love and other emotions that define humans. Many people are against this form of government because of the harsh effects it can have on a person. In 1984 George Orwell uses Winston Smith to show the effect a totalitarian government has on humanity.

How would you feel if you lived under an oppressive government with no privacy and constant surveillance? Well, George Orwells hate for totalitarian governments lead him to write about a dystopian society in 1984. Joseph Stalin and the Soviet Union were heavy influence for the novel. Orwell implicated many of the same methods that the Soviets used throughout the novel, such as using fear to control people, restricting information from citizens, and having a figurehead that ruled over a whole nation. As the protagonist of 1984, these were some of the ordeals that Winston Smith was forced to face.

“1984” is a book about totalitarianism and a man that tried to defy his regime’s ideals. “1984” was written by George Orwell in 1948 and mimicked the Soviet Union to make Ingsoc. Events take place in London, a capital of Airstrip One, which is inside the state of Oceania. The world is in an endless war in the year 1984. The regime, called Ingsoc, seeks out ways to control the minds and lives of its citizens.

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.