Thoughtcrime In 1984

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Summary: In George Orwell’s novel 1984, the main character, Winston Smith, finds himself in the superstate of Oceania which is controlled by the Party and the Thought Police. Although a member of the Party, Winston harbors a hate for the Party’s leader, Big Brother, along with the telescreens, the Thought Police, and the Party overall. In Oceania, members of the Party are to feel love, admiration, hope, and thanks towards Big Brother only. Many people vanish from existence without explanation and are seemingly forgotten, as though they never existed. In the beginning of the novel, Winston purchases a diary, which he uses to write about his thoughtcrime and hate towards Big Brother. He knows that sooner or later this will be the reason for his …show more content…

From the beginning, the audience can feel the oppression within Oceania. Telescreens that monitor all activity can be found in the homes of party members while posters reading “Big Brother is watching you” are posted along every wall. Party members have no privacy, must live with the everyday household items that they can get their hands on, and are not to think, do, or say anything that could possibly convey harm or show discontent towards Big Brother or the Party. There is no freedom and people go through life often unhopeful of what life the next day might hold. 1984 greatly expresses the damages that totalitarian reign, also known as communism, causes people; such authority results in broken souls, lost freedom, and suffering of people who have little control over their own …show more content…

Human qualities, such as the sex instinct and natural thought process, are destroyed and mutilated by the government. People are not allowed to hold their own thoughts; they are taught to get by on a process called doublethink, which allows someone to accept two or more contrary beliefs or opinions at the same time. In this way, the citizens are taught to think paradoxically. While this development of thought has no logic, it stands as a great governmental tool, allowing the controlling powers of Oceania to rewrite history, as the people accept the lies delivered to them through use of doublethink. A person cannot think for themselves, feel emotions freely, or exhibit noticeable differences in comparison to those around them. The government forces Party members to think alike, act alike, and live as though they are copy of another perfect

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