Oppression In 1984 By George Orwell

In George Orwell's 1984, he describes the oppressed, lower social class of Oceania as, "the great mass of human beings who are normally stupefied by poverty...[who] would sooner or later realize that the privileged minority had no function, and they would sweep it away" (Orwell 190). Like the division in 1984, many societies in Africa have different social levels. Unlike Oceania however, many African societies still have a hold of some traditions. In many parts of Africa, Orwell's prediction does appear to be coming to life.

In Oceania, the proletariats, (or Proles, as they are often referred to as) do not even realize they are being oppressed. Winston eventually understands that the reason for this is that, "Until they become conscious they

Depending on what class a person is organized into decides what jobs and goods they can receive as well as the level of education they have access to. The Proles of Oceania receive little to no education, and are forced to live in, what is essentially the slums. All the classes are restricted as to where they can shop and what they can purchase. The Outer Party, or middle class, have the most restrictions on where they can shop, who they can interact with, and how they can interact with those people, as those are the people who are smart enough to over through the government if they learned how things really

In Africa, they are stuck in a social class from generation to generation. They are born into a social class, rather than each person having an equal chance to move up in society. Social classes are not the only thing that separates people, "Within social classes are found social status groups whose members gained their standing primarily through the prestige of their occupation" (Social Class Prejudice). While the Inner Party is the most powerful, there is one person or a small group of people within the class that have more power than others. O'Brien is one of those people, he instructs others who to watch and how to approach those people, often those who are dangerous to the Party. For a government of any type to work there must be a select few who make the final decisions, and there needs to be a face of that government. In 1984, the figure head is Big Brother, in many parts of Africa, it is often a President or King who is "in charge" or the face of the