The Loss Of Personal Freedom In George Orwell's 1984

George Orwell’s ‘1984’ is an uncanny and frighteningly accurate portrayal of the modern world; where dangers are continuing to emerge surrounding a concerning lack of personal freedom. Whilst in contemporary society we consider ourselves relatively free, this is oftentimes not the case; as it is the social standards to which we as a society must adhere to that keep us confined to established commonalities. This, in a way, is a dangerous tool that, if utilised correctly, could act as a method of controlling the masses; just like that outlined in the novel. Orwell presents his work, essentially, as a vehicle used to give insight into the types of personalities that emerge in retaliation to individualism within a socially confined society. It is not only a reflection of the human condition, but a warning; that we must be aware of such characters

It is well known that Orwell’s work was heavily influenced by the Nazi Party and their attempt in maintaining definitive control over their population. However, since this book was first published in 1949, “O’Brien” characters continue to emerge and attempt to seize our own personal freedoms; Stalin, McCarthy, Kim Jong Un and now the NSA. What is truly frightening, however, as outlined in the book, is the pure futility of retaliation to these regimes. As put forth in the novel, every society will continue to have their Edward Snowden, their “Winston”, who will be neglected and hidden from society as a means of supressing the individual in favour of social control. Orwell, through these ingenious character representations, presents readers with his warning; that we must be more aware of the level of freedom we are truly given within our own socially restricted society, as opposed to the widespread belief we live in a “free world”, and that to act as the anarchist, against the “O’Brien”, in modern culture is a truly pointless