A Real Life Repeat
Muammar Gaddafi, the “relentless propaganda machine” as called by New York Times writer, Jane Perlez (Perlez 2), ruled Libya with an iron fist until his death on October 20, 2011 (McBain). Green and white banners hung around the cities in Libya (Perlez), very much like the pictures of Big Brother in 1984 (Orwell 1-2), each reminding the citizens who their loyalties lied with. Gaddafi’s regime put his people through terrible things, making sure fear was an installment of their daily lives (“Tripoli on Lockdown…” 1). This insured his subjects stayed true to him. Not only was Gaddafi able to control his people’s opinions, he was able to control most other aspects of their lives. In 1984, Big Brother is only a fictional character
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The Government for Libyans pressured the people to conform to their beliefs as well, crushing most of the opposing views (Perlez 1). People were unable to get comfortable anywhere in their country because there was always somebody watching, having a similar effect to that of the telescreens in 1984 (Orwell 3). A man who came to Libya stopped to talk to a group of people who seemed nervous and unable to speak freely, and they assured him that the war was great and that Libya was great (McBain 1-2). That group is a prime example of the citizens who had the fear of Gaddafi ingrained in them, forcing them to say anything they knew would make him happy if he was to hear. The Spies in 1984 was a group of the young children who were turned into savages and trained to be extremely loyal to the party (Orwell 24). In Libyan elementary school, 5-year-old girls were seen drawing pictures of soldiers holding machine guns with American planes above them dropping bombs (Perlez 2). Gaddafi had also infiltrated the young minds, conditioning them to know which side they were on. These children performed violent acts in the streets, stabbing people and robbing them (McBain 2). People in both of these societies were just doing what they were told, without thinking if it was right or …show more content…
This meant that the truth and the law was what the person in charge said it was, just like in 1984, where there were no laws other than to go along with the party (Orwell 6). The Gaddafi regime regarded some items as 'unnecessary.' The import of eighty-two categories of goods was banned (Altunisik 3). Cutbacks hit the consumers (Altunisik 3), decreasing their quality of life. The outer party members of Oceania had rations on all of their goods, which could be raised or dropped as the party chose (Orwell 26), It was estimated that 50,000 Libyans were considered educated, middle class, in a society of 3.5 million (Perlez 2). This meant that most of the people were not educated or affluent. These people could be compared to the proles who made up a large part of the Oceanic society (Orwell 82), another similarity between Gaddafi’s rule and the party’s
Benito Mussolini once said, “We do not argue with those who disagree with us, we destroy them” (Benito). This quote from Mussolini perfectly illustrates his aggressive leadership style and fierce personality. George Orwell was clearly inspired by Benito Mussolini whose characteristics are evident in the character of Big Brother in Orwell’s brilliant novel 1984. Benito Mussolini and Big Brother are considered dictators who have sole control of their countries, Italy and Oceania. Mussolini runs his Italian National Fascist party and Big Brother runs his ‘Party’. Both dictators have some slight differences, but Mussolini and Big Brother have similarities in leadership style, propaganda use, and enforcement of order through secret police.
“The rest or the social structure consists of an inner party, the outer party, and then the proletarians, who form the majority, 85% of the people. The stratification of Oceania typifies the social set up in most of the dictatorial establishments where the leader and some few members of the ruling class are extremely privileged and the rest languish in sheer lack and a difficult life” (Icke, Macmillan and Orwell 13). Of most interest are the organs of governance in this state. They consist of the police, who enforce the surveillance and ensure that wherever one goes, the government is omnipresent. The presence of the law enforcers everywhere is the basis of the predicaments of Winston and Julia, who are lovers.
Maddie Brown of Sister Wives is already engaged, but this hasn't all aired on the show yet. Us Magazine shared a preview of the upcoming season of Sister Wives where Maddie Brown will tell the family all about her big engagement. In this preview, the family is all at Janelle's house so they can hear this great news from Maddie. Kody explains that Madison has been visiting Caleb and just got back.
Orwell explores the social impact of government through the means of Big Brother and how it affects social conformity. Big Brother is a character presented in the novel which exercises restriction and maximum control of the mass. Winston writes, “Down with the Big Brother” (Orwell 19). From the beginning of the novel, readers see Winston’s extreme disgust with the government.
1984 is about a totalitarian form of government that has taken over the country of Oceania. In this country, Big Brother controls all. He is the leader of The Party, which is the only form of leadership present in Oceania. A mystery that presents itself throughout the book, is whether or not Big Brother, the person, does or ever actually existed. Everything The Party does, ...
by Sting, depict both the acts of Big Brother in the novel 1984 and today’s media. Big
The fictional world of 1984 is best described as bleak. In the aftermath of the fall of capitalism and nuclear war, the world has been divided among three practically identical totalitarian nation-states. The novel takes place in London, which has become a part of Oceania, the nation state comprising the Americas and western Europe. A state of perpetual war and poverty is the rule in Oceania. However, this is merely a backdrop, far from the most terrifying aspect of life in 1984. Oceania is governed by a totalitarian bureaucracy, personified in the image of Big Brother, the all-knowing/ all-seeing godlike figure that represents the government. Big Brother is best described as a "totalitarian socialist dictator, a political demagogue and religious cult leader all rolled into one." So great is the power of Big Brother that the reader is unsure whether he actually exists or is simply a propaganda tool of the government. The party of Big Brother, Ingsoc (English Social...
A theme that often recurs in the book ‘1984’ by George Orwell is the mutability of the past, how you can change and mold the past until it is how you want it. This mainly shows up in the system of Big Brother with their ever-changing news, and the constant gaps and confusing memories. This theme, you will find triggers most storylines in the book, it eventually causes Winston’s rebellion against Big Brother.
In the novel 1984, citizens are ruled by a totalitarian government, The face of this government is a symbolic authority figurehead labeled Big Brother who rules over 1984’s main location, Oceania. This abusive government gains control over its inhabitants by threatening torture or even execution to those who disobey it in any way. The citizens are constantly being informed of new wars between their country and others, making it seem as if they are always at war. Today we have the war on terror, a war that seemingly has no end in sight. In our modern day society it
The book “1984” written by George Orwell shows the life of an average person in a totalitarian state. The book explains the problems and dangers of a totalitarian government (Big Brother) staying in control and holding power over people. For a totalitarian government, especially in this novel to remain in control over their citizens, they need to get into the heads of everyone by “brainwashing” them. Big Brother successfully achieved that by manipulating the English language, rewriting world history, and by constantly reminding everyone that the government is watching them.
Identity, in today’s society, is often taken for granted. We have the ability to be anything we wish to be and act in any way we wish to act, but in the 1984 novel by George Orwell, identity is not taken for granted because it does not exist at all. Winston Smith, the narrator, lives in a dystopian society based on the idea of totalitarian government rule. This government is known as Big Brother. In order for Big Brother to stay in power, a few things are necessary: identity cannot exist; everything and everyone must be uniform; the past must be controlled in order to regulate the present; and the people must constantly be practicing the ideas of Newspeak and Doublethink, a form of control the government holds over the people.
In 1984, George Orwell presents an overly controlled society that is run by Big Brother. The protagonist, Winston, attempts to “stay human” in the face of a dehumanizing, totalitarian regime. Big Brother possesses so much control over these people that even the most natural thoughts such as love and sex are considered taboo and are punishable. Big Brother has taken this society and turned each individual against one another. Parents distrust their own offspring, husband and wife turn on one another, and some people turn on their own selves entirely. The people of Oceania become brainwashed by Big Brother. Punishment for any uprising rebellions is punishable harshly.
At first, we do not think, nor contemplate the effects that come as a result of our actions. In 1984, we get a sense of a greater authority in Big Brother. Although we never know if Big Brother actually exists, the power and authority that this idol holds over the people is unimaginable. The people of Oceania are divided into two classes, the members of the Party and the proletariat. The Party members are like machines that do the jobs of the government.
In 1984, there are three main social classes. The proles are at the bottom, in the middle is the Outer party, and at the top in the Inner Party. The proles make up around 85 percent of the population and the Inner Party controls them by making them live in poverty and through surveillance of their everyday lives. This way they can make sure that no one is becoming too intellectual or they will send the Thought Police after you. They also use the war to make them scared. These methods are basically used for anyone that is outside of the Inner
Big Brother and modern day government have been able to control its citizens through surveillance equipment, and fear all for a little more power. There is much to learn from such an undesirable form of society, much like the one of Oceania in 1984. Examining Big Brother government closely, alarming connections can be made to real-world government actions in the United States and the cruel world within Orwell's book.