1984: The Logic in Lunacy

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Recommended: Novel 1984 analysis

1984 by George Orwell may seem like a run of the mill dystopian novel but the plethora of paradoxes and interwoven contradictions create a complex reading experience. Every single incongruity within the novel proves itself to be sensible and valid. Orwell skillfully enlaces this backwards society with contradictory slogans, ideology, and language that leaves one perplexed at what they just read, forcing one to reevaluate their own logic. Early in the novel, the three fundamental mottos of Ingsoc are presented. These mottos are “WAR IS PEACE/ FREEDOM IS SLAVERY/ IGNORANCE IS STRENGTH” (Orwell 26). Each phrase is a paradox within itself. When analyzed with the context of the political and social atmosphere, each contradictory motto becomes logical. The first concept, “WAR IS PEACE”, is thoroughly brought into light by the untitled book that O’Brien lends Winston after Winston expresses his interest in the Brotherhood. War in Oceania is actually peaceful because “the object of the war is not to make or prevent conquests of territory, but to keep the structure of society intact” according to this informative book (164). The continuous wars between Oceania, Eastasia, and Eurasia prove that these regions have surprisingly civilized relationships with one another, with the book even stating “the effect would be much the same if the three super-states, instead of fighting one another, should agree to live in perpetual peace, each inviolate within its own boundaries” (164). These wars are only waged to gain a labor force that will be used to get the upperhand in the next war. The goal is to maintain peace. Although “WAR IS PEACE” appears to be a contradiction, the paradoxical quality of the statement actually adds to the complexity of ... ... middle of paper ... ...e levels of consciousness to understand it. 1984 would not be the same if it lacked the harmonious presence of these contradictory elements, which developed a deeply corrupted society. The concepts like Newspeak, the Party’s slogans, and Ingsoc force readers to take an idea at face value, dig deeper to undercover the lie and then search for a way to prove that it is in fact the actual truth. 1984 pressures readers to use doublethink, actively believing two opposing ideas at the same time then repressing one, just to understand the way that Oceania runs. This effect helps create a parallel, if only for a moment, between the tortured comrades and the readers because we all must alter our thoughts to correlate with the Party’s. George Orwell’s use of paradoxes effectively brought the audience into the mind-boggling world of Oceania. Works Cited 1984 by George Orwell

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