Theme Of Technology In The Book 1984

Science fiction is a genre of fiction that takes modern day reality and changes it to incorporate things like a futuristic setting and futuristic technology. It is often tied in with fantasy as fantasy does the same but instead of changing one thing, it changes almost everything. The novel 1984, written by George Orwell, is a science fiction book, but incorporates more elements of fantasy than normal science fiction stories. 1984 should be studied today because of the message it gives to readers about not following our leaders blindly. George Orwell is a pen name for Eric Blair. He named himself George Orwell during the publication of his book Down and Out in Paris because he didn’t want his family to be ashamed of him living as a vagrant in

Due to this he presents multiple themes throughout his book. George Orwell uses technology from the novel to convey his theme of power by totalitarian governments. Technology is a key part of science fiction. Sometimes the technology shown is something the human race is far away from like a time machine; other times it is a spinoff of something we already have. In 1984, the main character, Winston Smith, describes his home as a simple house that is a replica of other people. However, all houses in Airstrip One come with a telescreen and microphone. “The instrument (the telescreen, it was called) could be dimmed, but there was no way of shutting it off completely” (Orwell 4). This telescreen was could be turned on by the Thought Police and if you were saying or doing anything suspicious they would come in and make sure the person didn’t exist anymore. “—the arrests invariably happened at night. You were abolished, annihilated: VAPORIZED was the usual word” (Orwell 24). The use of technology in 1984 portrays George Orwell’s theme because it shows how the Party attempted to control and oppress their citizens with fear. It relates to today’s world because of the similar technologies the United States has and incorporates into our daily lives. Although the Federal Bureau of Investigations will not make us readers disappear, they have the ability to monitor us by looking through our phones, texts, and social media. As a result Orwell was trying to show his readers of 1984 that the government can do this and that we should not let