Comparing Orwell's Propaganda And Censorship

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Movies such as the Hunger Games and Divergent gain popular acclaim for their presentation of a dystopic world. To citizens in democratic countries, a dystopian society such as those in the movies above may seem far from reality and similar to George Orwell’s fictitious society in 1984. On the contrary, dystopian societies are far from fiction and are prevalent in various autocratic countries around the world. The daunting societies present in George Orwell’s 1984 as well as Veronica Ma’s depiction of communist China in “Propaganda and censorship: adapting to the modern age” are the consequences of abusing language’s power. The Party and the Chinese government’s use of censorship solely for political success reflects Orwell’s belief of language being power. The political usage of censorship by both, the Party and communist China, destroys individuality by the suppression of one’s mind, expression and actions in order to prevent rebellion amongst its citizens. Through the Party and China’s propagandistic censorship, citizens are unable to create opinions inconsistent with the policies of each party. Orwell’s description of bland Oceania exemplifies the extent of the Party’s censorship. The propagandistic censorship the Party produces goes as far as producing a false sense of safety and brainwashes the Oceanians. In Winston’s daily life, his comrades, Parsons and Syme, …show more content…

In order to prevent rebellion both Oceania and the Chinese governments use censorship to eliminate individuality by restrictions on thought, expression and actions. Orwell’s predictions of society carry into reality even today,in particular, governments abusing language’s power. The exploitation of language is evident throughout dictatorial countries and mirror Oceania. Through Orwell’s prediction becoming reality one should understand the power of language. Language is a privilege and should never be subject to propagandistic

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