“Until they become conscious they will never rebel, and until after they have rebelled they cannot become conscious.”(Orwell, 1984, 1.7.4) An Orwellian paradox, this statement describes the despair in hope for societal change. It expresses how an oppressed nation could never rise against their tormentor until they become enlightened that they have been oppressed, yet enlightenment cannot be obtained without breaking free of their oppression. This concept, described in the 1949 novel Nineteen Eighty-Four, encapsulates the outlook of its protagonist Winston Smith on his society’s inability to change under a totalitarian government which controls every facet of its subject’s lives. The man behind this mind-opening novel is satirical novelist George Orwell.
Orwell was an English novelist marked for his writings on social justice awareness, oppositional criticisms on totalitarianism/authoritarianism, and commitment to democratic socialism. Born Eric Arthur Blair in Motihari, Bihar, British India on June 25, 1903, Orwell is best known for the dystopian novel Nineteen Eighty-Four and the allegorical novella Animal Farm. A man of unwavering convictions and powerful views on social justice, Orwell addressed many of the major political movements of his time to include fascism and communism.
Born to Richard Walmesley Blair, a British civil servant, and Ida Mabel Blair, George had two siblings, his older sister Marjorie, and younger sister Avril. At one year of age in 1904, he settled in Henley-on-Thames in Oxfordshire, England with his mother and older sister, prior moving to Shiplake before World War I. However, his relationship with his father was almost nonexistent. His father Richard Blair remained in India after his wife and kids moved ...
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... laid to rest at Sutton Courtenay, Oxfordshire, England. His legacy will forever serve as a reminder of the political injustice done, when governments are allowed to reign unchecked by its people. His works influenced such authors and free-thinkers as William Golding, author of the noble prize winning novel Lord of the Flies, and Christopher Hitchens, an award winning British author and journalist, best known for his strong socialist political views and devotion to atheistic enlightenment. George Orwell’s gift to humanity is a powerful role model for social justice against tyrannical and imperialistic governments. With obvious abuse of power in the US government today, it is apparent that we have forgotten the fundamental lessons taught by Orwell. If we as a society do not become conscious of our domestic tyranny, we can never rebel and demand a better system.
The theme of how pointless resistance is against powerful established totalitarian governments like Ingsoc is brought out most clearly through the use of the three literary elements of diction, point of view, and symbolism. Everything from the glass paperweight to the very words Winston speaks spells the letters of inevitable defeat. A thoroughly converted Winston Smith appears at the end of the novel, joining in the cheers and shouts of those celebrating the most recent military victory headed by Big Brother. Grimly realistic, and a literary warning to the political world during the mid-20th century, George Orwell uses 1984 to paint a clear picture of the unequivocal omnipotence a totalitarian government may wield if nothing is done to stop it immediately.
Through different experiences, beliefs, values and ideas, individuals can evolve identity through human nature, in society and critical life experiences. Human nature is elucidated dystopically in the works of George Orwell’s novel, 1984, and James McTeigue’s visual, V for Vendetta, which represent divergent societies, bound by totalitarian oppression and degrading human constructs. Published in 1948 by George Orwell, 1984 is a novel set in a future society, scarred by eternal war, ubiquitous government surveillance, controlled history and tyrannical manipulation by the superstate. Winston Smith, a diligent Outer Party member, inconspicuously rebels against the English socialist, ‘Ingsoc’ Party and despot leader, ‘Big Brother’, by regaining
Nineteen Eighty-Four by George Orwell is one of the most renowned dystopian novels and still regarded as one of the most influential novels up until this day. The journey of the protagonist, Winston Smith, a compelling story of the struggle to find his own intuitive idea of what the world is supposed to be like and the ability to preserve it. The fight of ideology between Winston and The Party is one would describe as somewhat similar to the battle between David and Goliath. Through Winston’s experiences in a totalitarian society. It can be said that an individual cannot make any significant changes because of the total control of education by the government, The Party’s mission is to search and destroy and books that are collected from the
Living through the war and its enormous political shifts, Eric Blair was a figure whose pessimism was significantly impacted by the postwar period. But what was born of Blair was a more significant person known as George Orwell, who challenged the political views of his time by writing 1984, which stands as one of the most powerful political novels of the Modernist era written to expose the horrors of totalitarianism and impact the political thinking of the 20th Century.
In George Orwell 's "Nineteen Eighty-Four," the main storyline revolves around a dystopian society whose self-thought has been corrupted by an over empowered governing body. Orwell’s intention was to bring Hitler’s ideas to life. Smith is a middle-aged frail man who is ambivalent towards his government, however is unable to resist the strength of the indoctrination he has been subjected to, during the entirety of his life. As the reader progresses through the novel, ideas of totalitarianism are illustrated throughout the story via Smith’s internal and external conflicts with his government. It quickly becomes apparent that there is an uncopiable amount of government power which is something that is seen as early as the second paragraph. Propaganda
“One of the things Orwell bequeathed us was the adjective ‘Orwellian’…. It is a frightening word, generally applied to a society organized to crush and dehumanize the individual, sometimes signifying the alienation of that individual if he dares to rebel” (Lewis 13). George Orwell, the pseudonym for Eric Arthur Blair, depicted the importance of the individual in society and the danger of too much community in his literature. Through his personal experiences, however, he explored the ideas of socialism and was torn between the individual and community ideals. In his literature and his past, Orwell spoke against movements that remove the individual, but still emphasized the importance of community. Thus, he advocated a need for balance between the two concepts.
War Is Peace. Freedom Is Slavery. Ignorance Is Strength. The party slogan of Ingsoc illustrates the sense of contradiction which characterizes the novel 1984. That the book was taken by many as a condemnation of socialism would have troubled Orwell greatly, had he lived to see the aftermath of his work. 1984 was a warning against totalitarianism and state sponsored brutality driven by excess technology. Socialist idealism in 1984 had turned to a total loss of individual freedom in exchange for false security and obedience to a totalitarian government, a dysutopia. 1984 was more than a simple warning to the socialists of Orwell's time. There are many complex philosophical issues buried deep within Orwell's satire and fiction. It was an essay on personal freedom, identity, language and thought, technology, religion, and the social class system. 1984 is more than a work of fiction. It is a prediction and a warning, clothed in the guise of science fiction, not so much about what could happen as it is about the implications of what has already happened. Rather than simply discoursing his views on the social and political issues of his day, Orwell chose to narrate them into a work of fiction which is timeless in interpretation. This is the reason that 1984 remains a relevant work of social and philosophical commentary more than fifty years after its completion.
“WAR IS PEACE, FREEDOM IS SLAVERY, IGNORANCE IS STRENGTH.” Part 1,Chapter 1,pg. 6. These three principles were repeatedly emphasized throughout the book and helped lay the foundation of the dystopian society George Orwell imagined in his novel 1984. Fear, manipulation, and control were all encompassed throughout this dystopian society set in the distant future. The freedom to express ones thoughts was no longer acceptable and would not be tolerated under any circumstances. Humankind was rapidly transforming into a corrupt and evil state of mind.
“George Orwell: A Life.” Readings on Animal Farm. Ed. Terry O’Neill. San Diego: Greenhaven Press, 1998. Print.
Upon my reading of the 1984 novel, I was fascinated by George Orwell’s vision of the future. Orwell describes a world so extreme that a question comes to mind, asking what would encourage him to write such a novel. 1984 took place in the future, but it seemed like it was happening in the past. George Orwell was born in 1903 and died in 1950; he has seen the horrific tides of World War II and. As I got deeper into this novel, I began to see similar events in world history built into 1984.
The Life and Works of George Orwell Zach Garrett English 12 Diane Leazer April 11, 2014. The Life and Works of George Orwell Thesis Statement: Financial struggles in the first half of George Orwell's life greatly affected how he lived and influenced his writings. l. Childhood George Orwell A. Grade School B. College ll. Life after college A. Moving away from home and joining the workforce B. Moving back home to try to find new work, lll. Literary works A. Animal Farm B. Nineteen Eighty Four.
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.
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."
It is difficult for them to hope to succeed in an area where so many of them have failed. The constant theme of betrayal in 1984 is being used by George Orwell to show how hopeless Winston’s struggle against the Totalitarian system is, giving the reader an idea of how bad this type of government is. The reader is introduced to this dark time and given hope in the form of the rebellious protagonist, Winston. However, the reader soon realises how hopelessly alone Winston is in his silent battle when they see that the government is against him, he has no support or allies, and that even his own mind can be turned against him. The message is clear and makes readers who live in a democracy happier with what they have.
Based on the two essays, George Orwell is a vivid writer who uses a unique point of view and strong themes of pride and role playing to convey his messages. His writings are easy to pick out because of the strengths of these messages. Just like politicians in government, people with power turn corrupt to stay in power and keep their reputations. Anyone who takes on power must be prepared to live with the consequences of his actions. Orwell knows this challenge well and conveys this principle in his writing. After all, his narration is based on real life experiences and not fictional fantasies.