totalitarianism

867 Words2 Pages

The book 1984, written by George Orwell, focuses on a man named Winston Smith. Winston lives in a society where citizens are taught to hate each other and children are told to betray their parents. Fear is a part of every person’s daily lives and as if that was not enough, citizens are kept busy for the entire day so that thoughts of rebellion or things other than their leader “Big Brother” are kept at bay. If a person is to go against the rules set forth by “Big Brother” and his party then torture or worse would be implemented. This novel, written by George Orwell clearly displays how to maintain a thriving totalitarian society. Imagine a society, where from day one, the moment a person is born, they are told that they should betray everyone. “The Party” in 1984 convinces citizens that they should do what ever is within their power to report suspicious behavior and turn in evidence. Though trust may be something earned and not common between two strangers, even at home where they should enjoy their family and have safe haven is a battle field. Spouses, the people who choose to spend the rest of their lives together (and have their marriage approved by “The Party”) try and find suspicious activity in one another. Children will do everything that they can to find something wrong with their parents, as taught by “The Party”. A father, Mr. Parson, was taken by “The Party” because his children turned him in for something as simple as talking in his sleep. So children that had been raised and nurtured as best as "The Party" would allow, turned against their own blood out of spite and the satisfaction of “Big Brother”. Having children, spouses, and the general public against each other and so ready to sell out everyone allows “B... ... middle of paper ... ...the torture he realized that he loved “Big Brother” and was as “brain washed’ as the rest of society. The experience that both Julia and Winston go through as far as being tortured, shows them that there is no hope, they are stuck in the world that they were born into and in no way can they change how things are. Lack of hope, constant fear, torture, and no free time are what makes up the totalitarian regime in George Orwell’s 1984. Although people may try to go against “Big Brother” the government keeps a lock down on everyone, and if anyone is found or even thought to be a conspirator then they are done for. By eliminating all trouble makers, training everyone, including children to betray their parents, torturing suspects, and allowing no free time “Big Brother” and “The Party” are a perfect example of how to maintain a thriving totalitarian society.

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