Examples Of Propaganda In 1984 By George Orwell

1984 was a book written by George Orwell which depicts a dystopian world that he envisioned. In this world one part of it is called Oceania which is run by a main government called The Party. This group is a very corrupt set of people that want nothing else but to control people’s feelings and the direction of their loyalty. The way they go about this is by many different types of manipulation, mass restriction, and control over different activities, history, and even the language used by the people. This story follows a character named Winston who starts to realize what is really happening, and he even tries to find ways to rebel and make people understand what is going on. In 1984, George Orwell details the story with the specific themes

of propaganda and manipulation of reality/feelings which helps form the story in many different ways. Throughout the whole book, use of propaganda was emphasized due to the fact that to keep people loyal, The Party would make fake news and stories to help affect the bias of the people.

One main example of this is the use of the saying, “Big Brother is watching you.” With the use of this saying, the party is able to brainwash the people in thinking that Big Brother is there to help and protect them when in actuality The Party watches the people to make sure no one is going against the different rules and guidelines. Another specific but great example of propaganda is during hate week when the speakers unexpectedly change up the news on who Oceania’s allies and enemies are. Originally Oceania allied with Eastasia, but with this sudden change, they now hate them and like Eurasia. The worst part is the people are so brainwashed that they don’t even question it, they just continue on with it. Propaganda was very useful in controlling the lower people in this story especially since a lot of it was subtle, but the use of all the propaganda together still allowed for the persuading of people on liking The Party. Like previously stated, manipulation is a very key role in this whole book. Due to the control The Party has, they are able to make anything they want happen even if this means controlling

reality. One overlaying example of this is the manipulation of the history and how it relates to reality. Throughout the whole story, there are many examples of fake people being made up or false things being called right. Things such as Winston being told two plus two equals five, and him being forced to make someone up for his job are just a few examples of the many different things that allow the party to keep in control. Another general example of this is the change of the language but more specifically how they cant express their feelings due to the lack of right expression and knowledge of these feelings. In this dystopia, The Party has dumbed down the language so feelings can’t be expressed correctly allowing for people not being able to express how they feel unless The Party tells them it such as how the people should love Big Brother. Overall this is probably the most key element on why The Party is still in control especially since people don’t realize any of it. In 1984, George Orwell thoroughly explains these themes as well as gives many examples of them. Propaganda and Manipulation are just a small amount of themes this story includes although these are some of the most specific and important especially pertaining to how The Party is able to keep everyone still oblivious. With propaganda, they are able to show bias towards things and ideas which the people eat up due to the ignorance laid upon them. Manipulation is the most controlling piece of all because the people have no choice for this and some are even tortured over thoughts not agreed on by The Party. As a result, 1984 is a great book written with a great concept, but be careful because things in the book are not too far from the reality we have in these days.