George Orwell 1984 Research Paper

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1984 Essay George Orwell’s dystopian novel, 1984, revolves around the government’s control over its society. This government is known as the Party. Orwell’s idea of an oppressive government that controls its society by keeping them under constant surveillance is equally frightening to the ability the US government’s National Security Agency has to access mass amounts of public and private information. Edward Snowden, former NSA employee, believes the American government goes beyond the Party’s Thought Police and telescreens. Snowden’s claim is justifiable because the US government invades the privacy of the people with organizations such as the NSA by using surveillance and controlling information. The Party controls the people of Oceania with concept that Big Brother is always watching. The Party is able to establish its authority over society …show more content…

[they] made was overheard, and, except in darkness, every movement scrutinized,” (Orwell 3). Big Brother’s watchful eye keeps the citizens in order as they live in fear. If rules are ever broken, the guilty individual would be arrested and tortured until he or she confessed the truth; in one case, an individual commits suicide to avoid arrest. This type of behavior reveals the negative effect the Party has on the lifestyle of its society. Committing suicide to escape the control of the government is a tragedy that also results from the pressure of the US government. Internet Activist, Aaron Swartz, committed suicide not only because he suffered from depression, but also because of the many criminal accusations made against him by the government (Schwartz). The US government is able to impact the lives of the people with false charges against those the government deems as a threat. Although US citizens are not monitored as

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