1984 Totalitarianism Essay

1283 Words3 Pages

Orwell was a Socialist and believed in the ability for a rebellion to change society, but unfortunately too often he witnessed such rebellions go wrong and develop into totalitarian rule. 1984 warns us against the idea of absolute powerthrough the analysis of the dangers of Big Brother and statist roots. 1984 remains an important work of literature because the ills of totalitarianism in all forms are still relevant in this day and age. Freedom and authoritarianism resonate with us those of us who live beyond the 20th century and those who lived around that time. In 1984, Orwell uses irony and paradox to show the difference between the novel’s major conundrums: Emmanuel Goldstein, who is the enemy of the state bt doesn’t pose any real We are first made of this idea when we are introduced to the concept of”‘war is peace, freedom is slavery, ignorance is truth”. An idea that clearly contradicts itself, yet makes sense to the Inner and Out party members. This irony is again presented to us with the ministries of truth, peace, love, and plenty, which we quickly find are in charge of the opposite of what is proposed by their titles. ‘Victory’ items are also used by Orwell in an ironic way to emphasize the idea of blind manipulation.. These items, such as coffee, gin, and cigarettes do not live up to the grand title they are given, they are instead substandard and poorly made. Oceanic society is infact rooted in irony, nothing is as it seems but the people do not know otherwise. In fact, the only way that the totalitarian regime can function effectively in the novel is through strict and swift regulation;control. Readers are lead to believe that Winston will play the role of archetypal dystopian hero, following the definition of irony through incongruous events. This type of situational exists on two levels. Initially, Winston believes that he is destined to

Show More
Related

  • Metaphysics In George Orwell's 1984

    1008 Words  | 3 Pages

    The novel 1984 is one that has sparked much controversy over the last several decades. It harbors many key ideas that lie at the root of all skepticism towards the book. With the ideas of metaphysics, change, and control in mind, George Orwell wrote 1984 to provide an interesting story but also to express his ideas of where he believed the world was heading. His ideas were considered widely ahead of their time, and he was really able to drive home how bleak and colorless our society really is. Orwell wrote this piece as a futuristic, dystopian book which contained underlying tones of despair and deceit.

    Read More

  • How Does Orwell Present Situational Irony In 1984

    757 Words  | 2 Pages

    George Orwell, author of 1984, summons visions of an ominous society and the descent into a spiralling abyss of hopelessness. Tone expresses how the author feels about a subject. Often mistaken with tone, mood depicts how the author perceives and conveys an event to the audience. Situational irony occurs when the audience expects an event to happen that does not actually occur within the timeline. Whereas, dramatic irony occurs when the audience knows of an event the character does not. In the book, the dark tone of the novel conveys the numbing of society while the irony demonstrates how trusting others affects views and relationships. However, paradox suggests something contradictory to logical reasoning. Doublethink contributes to the hopelessness by illustrating a paradox within society. Therefore, Orwell illustrates tone, paradox, and irony through how the government controls emotions, time, thoughts, and trust in order to

    Read More

  • Struggle is Imminent

    807 Words  | 2 Pages

    Winston is confronted with struggle throughout the entirety of George Orwell`s dystopian novel Nineteen Eighty-Four. Living within a totalitarian regime subsequently causes Winston to seek approaches for dealing with such abundant oppression; he finds liberation through self-awareness, understanding and ultimately rebellion. First, Winston realizes that “if you want to keep a secret you must also hide it from yourself”, alluding to the notion of thoughtcrime (162). This recognition exemplifies the complete cognizance that Winston has regarding the oppressive society displayed throughout the novel. Next, Syme states “It’s a beautiful thing, the destruction of words”, alluding to the idea of Newspeak (28). This statement directly correlates to Winston speaking with other party members to gain knowledge about how others feels about policies deployed by the government. This information-seeking also connects with Winston`s rebellion, as he actively searched for others to join his uprising, which is shown when Winston tells O’Brien “We want to join [The Brotherhood]” (171). Winston’s attempt to join a rebellious organization exhibits his evident desire to release his suppressed emotions. Winston devises a very methodical approach to deal with the problematic society he resides in.

    Read More

  • The Importance Of Totalitarian Government In 1984

    1302 Words  | 3 Pages

    The totalitarian government in the novel “1984” is well-known for going to extreme measures to control its citizens. The party is capable of doing so by controlling how citizens communicate, employing technology and even dictating how their time is spent. One of the novel’s many themes is: the party believes a human being can be broken down psychologically until one is easily fooled or robot-like. However, regardless of how harsh a government treats its citizens the novel also suggests that it is significantly hard to brainwash someone. The government has to go to incredible lengths to get into one’s mind to that extent. This creates a difficult task because the Party’s methods are subtle and take time. Winston, throughout the entirety of 1984,

    Read More

  • Essay On Totalitarian Society

    1022 Words  | 3 Pages

    The Consequences of a Totalitarian Society Americans today tend to believe that one of the world’s biggest fears is totalitarianism. The thought of a government that has complete and utter control continues to bring fear to people today. According to an article titled “Totalitarianism,” the author states, “Totalitarian governments use propaganda to spread ideas in order to control every aspect of life, including economic, social, political, and intellectual. This control was meant to serve a purpose; to unite the people in the achievement of common goals.” In other words, the author believes that individuals are not allowed any freedoms unless the leader of the state allowed it.

    Read More

  • Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston

    780 Words  | 2 Pages

    George Orwell’s haunting dystopian novel 1984 delves into the closely monitored lives of the citizens of Oceania as the Party tries to take control of society. In totalitarianism, propaganda and terrorism are ways of subjugation with a main goal: total obedience. He aimed to create a “what if” novel, what would happen if totalitarian regimes, such as the Nazis and Soviets, were to take over the world. If totalitarianism were to happen, the leader would be the brain of the whole system. Orwell emphasizes the theme of individualism versus collective identity through Winston, the protagonist, and his defiance to the Party and Big Brother, with a frightening tone, surreal imagery and a third person limited point of view.

    Read More

  • Dangers of Totalitarianism in Orwell's 1984

    1586 Words  | 4 Pages

    The year 1984 has long passed, but the novel still illustrates a possibility for the future of society. It still remains a powerful influence in all sorts of literature, music, and social theory. George Orwell envisioned a nightmarish utopia that could have very easily become a possibility in 1949 ? the year the novel was written. He managed to create such a realistic view of humanity?s future, that this story has been deemed timeless. There will always be the threat of totalitarianism, and at some moments civilization is only a step away from it. Orwell hated the thought of it, and 1984 shows that. From his work, readers who live in prevailing democratic society have a chance to consider about these very different political systems, democracy and totalitarianism.

    Read More

  • 1984: Oppression Of Truth

    1571 Words  | 4 Pages

    In the novel 1984, Orwell produced a social critique on totalitarianism and a future dystopia that made the world pause and think about our past, present and future. When reading this novel we all must take the time to think of the possibility that Orwell's world could come to pass. Orwell presents the concepts of power, marginalization, and resistance through physical, psychological, sexual and political control of the people of Oceania. The reader experiences the emotional ride through the eyes of Winston Smith, who was born into the oppressive life under the rule of Ingsoc. Readers are encouraged through Winston to adopt a negative opinion on the idea of communist rule and the inherent dangers of totalitarianism. The psychological manipulation and physical control are explored through Winston's journey, and with Winston's resistance and ultimate downfall, the reader is able to fully appreciate O'Briens reasoning, "Power is not a means, it is an end."

    Read More

  • 1984 Literary Merit

    556 Words  | 2 Pages

    George Orwell’s dystopian political fiction novel 1984, initially published in 1950, still stands today as a timeless literary work, depicting, “not dramas of what life might be...but nightmares of what it is becoming” (Fromm 266). Though the novel is simple and easy to comprehend, it conveys a critical message, warning of the dangers of totalitarianism emerging from the well-intentioned construct of communism. Though the Second Red Scare most likely influenced Orwell’s composition of 1984, the themes and ideas are still relevant today. The novel also reveals multiple symbols and motifs which contribute to the relevance of the work. Consequently, one could argue the literary merit of 1984.

    Read More

  • Betrayal In George Orwell's 1984

    956 Words  | 2 Pages

    Authors often use their works as a way to express their own opinions and ideologies. However, it is the skill of the author that determines whether these ideas are combined with the plot seamlessly, making a creative transition of ideas from the author’s mind, to the reader’s. There is no doubt that George Orwell is a masterful writer, and one of his most popular works, 1984, clearly expresses his negative views of the Totalitarian government. A common theme in the dystopian society in 1984 is betrayal: The Party is very intolerant towards any form of disloyalty, and anyone who plots against them or Big Brother will eventually either betray their own mind and accept Big Brother as their leader, or be betrayed and revealed to The Party by one of their so-called comrades. Overall, Orwell is using this constant theme of betrayal to show how alone and alienated the protagonist (Winston Smith) is in his quest against Totalitarianism, thus showing how flawed and hopeless the political system is.

    Read More

  • Essay On 1984 Totalitarianism

    662 Words  | 2 Pages

    Totalitarianism is a government controlled society where the citizens have no power in any situation. Hitler's Germany, Stalin’s Soviet Union, and Mussolini’s reign on Italy are perfect examples of this type of government. The government has almost total control over its citizen´s lives, desires, and actions. In George Orwell’s novel 1984, the concept of totalitarianism was brought to the eyes of the reader. The party is always watching its citizens. In a totalitarian government language regulations, as stated in 1984, is a mean of controlling the citizens of Oceania.

    Read More

  • The Themes Of Individualism In George Orwell's 1984

    1560 Words  | 4 Pages

    George Orwell uses Winston to represent truth in a deceptive world in his novel 1984. In Oceania, Big Brother is the omnipotent and all powerful leader. Everything the government dictates is unquestionably true, regardless of prior knowledge. Even thinking of ideas that go against Big Brother’s regime, or thoughtcrime, is punishable by death. Winston serves as the dystopian hero, longing for freedom and change. Orwell uses Winston to emphasize the importance of individual freedoms, as they give us the ability to fulfillingly lead our respective lives.

    Read More

  • 1984 George Orwell Essay

    583 Words  | 2 Pages

    George Orwell’s intent in the novel 1984 is to warn society about the results of a controlling and manipulative government by employing mood, conflict, and imagery.

    Read More

  • 1984 By George Orwell Analysis Essay

    575 Words  | 2 Pages

    ‘‘1984’’ was written in the period of intense depression, when the society tries to recover from the World War II. The unpleasant experiences Orwell had as schoolboy, policeman and soldier, urged him to introduce‘‘1984’’ as a warning to mankind against communism (Bossche,1984). The moment he decides to give chance his characters to represent Trotsky and Stalin , which immediately makes the author appear as a great communism criticaster. He declared : ‘‘Every line of serious work that I have written since 1936 has been written directly or indirectly, against totalitarianism and for democratic socialism, as I understand it’’ (Orwell,1946)

    Read More

  • The Importance Of Violence In 1984 By Sophocles Antigone

    931 Words  | 2 Pages

    Irony emphasizes the violence endured by the characters in Orwell’s 1984 more than comparable to Sophocles’ Antigone. Irony in 1984 is crucial to understand the violence portrayed throughout the novel. The Party in 1984, has managed to turn love into something sinister, "One did not know what happened inside the Ministry of Love, but it was possible to guess torture, drugs, delicate instruments that registered your nervous reactions, gradual wearing down by sleeplessness and solitude and persistent questioning." (138). In order to understand the violence the characters endured as well as delivered, we must first understand the irony of the sequence of events that lead us these characters ultimate demise. Once we understand the violent deaths in Antigone as well as the violence Winston endured in the Ministry of Love, we can understand the importance of irony to define these events. By highlighting this order, we will see how without irony, the violence would just make these novels gruesome and theme-less.

    Read More

More about 1984 Totalitarianism Essay

Open Document