Examples Of Totalitarianism In 1984

Conflict between Freedom and Totalitarianism in 1984

In George Orwell’s novel 1984, many contradictory themes are touched upon. However, the central conflict of the plot lies in the fight between freedom and totalitarianism and whether the two can coexist in a functional society. Perhaps, in a perfect world they would be able to; but, Orwell presents many examples demonstrating how, realistically, it would be impossible.

The word “totalitario” was first coined by Dictator Benito Mussolini in the early 1920s ("totalitarianism | government"). The term refers to a “...form of government that theoretically permits no individual freedom and that seeks to subordinate all aspects of the individual’s life to the authority of the government” ("totalitarianism

| government"). The society in Orwell’s novel is heavily based on this type of government. The citizens of Oceania have little to no rights to privacy; even in their thoughts. They are surrounded with propaganda posters that serve as reminders of the fact that: “BIG BROTHER IS WATCHING YOU…” ("1984 - George Orwell" 5). They are not allowed to feel certain emotions, think certain thoughts, nor are they allowed to live the lifestyle that they would like to live. “You had to live—did live, from habit that became instinct—in the assumption that every sound you made was overheard, and, except in darkness, every movement scrutinized” (1984 - George Orwell" 5).
“Freedom is the freedom to say that two plus two make four.

If that is granted, all else follows” (1984 - George Orwell" 103). Freedom can be defined in an infinite number of ways and may mean something different to anyone and everyone. With that being said, there is still a common thread in this plethora of definitions. In “The Meaning of Freedom”, Mike Treder shares one of the explanations of the term. “Freedom stands for something greater than just the right to act however I choose—it also stands for securing to everyone an equal opportunity for life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.” Constantly, Winston is denied these things. He is denied the pursuit of happiness because he is living in a manner that he has no control over. He cannot love whomever he pleases. He cannot say whatever he pleases. He is even denied of being whomever he pleases. By living this way, he is deprived of his happiness and instead given a life full of hopelessness. Winston is not given the privilege of experiencing liberty either because he must abide by the laws the government set in place that deny him of every right not directly or indirectly concerned with the worship of Big Brother and The Party. At the end of the novel, readers are only left to assume that Winston is also denied of life in the same way that others before him

were.
Now that both terms have been explained, it should be clear how the two would be in conflict with each other.

There cannot be freedom where there is totalitarianism because totalitarianism is the absence of one’s freedom in society. Citizens are expected to give their freedom up to whoever currently holds the power. In the case of the Oceanians, The Party and Big Brother have stolen their freedom from them even though most are oblivious to this. Orwell states that: “We know that no one ever seizes power with the intention of relinquishing it” (1984 - George Orwell" 103). The only way that there could be freedom would be if totalitarianism and all traces of it would vanish. Winston spends most of the time covered in this novel trying to figure out a way that freedom could exist within his society but fails to realize that it would be impossible as long as the people in power remain in power and have control over everyone. It is not a matter of rebelling as a way to find freedom. It is a matter of whether or not freedom can exist under the circumstances set before a

person.