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Analysis of 1984 by George Orwell
Comparison essays on george orwell 1984 and things we did not see coming
Analysis of 1984 by George Orwell
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In George Orwell’s time-honored novel,“1984”, one can say there are many compelling affinities between the fictional nation of Oceania and the America today. Orwell’s novel was a glimpse into the future in which is idea of doublethink does, in fact, exist today. Through, specific precedents Orwell describes to his readers the idea of doublethink and how it is used daily in the Party and with Big Brother. as well as the society of Oceania. There are also precise examples in the modern days of America and its’ society and government. In “1984”, Orwell describes doublethink as “the power of holding two contradictory beliefs in one’s mind simultaneously, and accepting both of them” (Orwell 214). In Winston’s, the main character of 1984, thoughts he described doublethink as telling “deliberate lies while genuinely believing in them, to forget any fact that has become inconvenient, and then, when it becomes necessary again, to draw it back from oblivion for just so long as it is needed, to deny the existence of objective reality and all the while to take account of the reality which one denies - all this is indispensably necessary. Even in using the word doublethink it is necessary to exercise doublethink. For using the word one admits that one is tampering with reality; by a fresh act of doublethink one erases this knowledge; and so on indefinitely, with the lie always one leap ahead of the truth” (Orwell 214). Overall, in the Oceania society doublethink is considered a “vast system of mental cheating” (Orwell 215). The word doublethink was first used 1949 in the novel “1984” by George Orwell and it is now defined in the modern online dictionary of Merriam as a simultaneous belief in two contradictory ideas. A cl... ... middle of paper ... ... this is how it has always been. A paradox. In Orwell’s novel, Works Cited Orwell, George, and Erich Fromm. 1984: A Novel. New York, NY: Signet Classic, 1984. Print "Wartime President Accepts Peace Prize with an ‘American Speech’." Pbs. N.p., 10 Dec. 2009. Web. 26 Feb. 2014. Winkle, Bethany. "Effectiveness of War on Drugs Being Questioned." Treatment Solutions. N.p., 3 June 2011. Web. 28 Feb. 2014. "Juror Qualifications, Exemptions and Excuses." USCOURTSGOV RSS. N.p., n.d. Web. 01 Mar. 2014. Repo Our Republic. "Making a List of Modern Newspeak and Doublethink Examples... Chip In! (UPDATE1)." Peace . Gold . LOVE. Daily Paul Liberty Reform, 10 Feb. 2013. Web. 2 Mar. 2014. Carter, Christopher. "Define Standard Operating Procedure." EHow. Demand Media, 18 July 2009. Web. 04 Mar. 2014.
Phrases from the novel 1984 such as, ¨ War is peace,¨, ¨ Freedom is slavery,¨, and ¨ Ignorance is strength,¨ are all examples of doublethink. Evidently, these quotes are all completely contradictory to one another, this also occurs in the poem, ¨ No one died in Tiananmen Square¨. A phrase from the poem constantly stating, ¨ No one died in Tiananmen Square,¨ when in reality about several hundred protesters were gruesomely murdered. In the poem, it also claims, ¨ Despite all their attempts to subdue the rioters, the troops were forced to open
“The way of paradoxes is the way of truth.” Oscar Wilde, Irish novelist and poet, was a man of many paradoxes, a statement that may initially imply contradiction, yet can bear immense meaning and purposes when pondered. He, along with many others, believes that through their use much truth can be told. For example, George Orwell, the author of 1984, creates an intricate, well developed society living in alignment with an all-important slogan consisting purely of paradox. The novel, set in a 1980s dystopian society, focuses on Winston Smith, a member of the Outer Party who consistently disobeys the totalitarian government known as INGSOC ruled by Big Brother.
Cambridge: Cambridge UP, 2004. Orwell, George. A. A. 1984. The. New York, NY: Signet Classics, 1977. Print.
In the novel 1984, Orwell produced a social critique on totalitarianism and a future dystopia that made the world pause and think about our past, present and future. When reading this novel we all must take the time to think of the possibility that Orwell's world could come to pass. Orwell presents the concepts of power, marginalization, and resistance through physical, psychological, sexual and political control of the people of Oceania. The reader experiences the emotional ride through the eyes of Winston Smith, who was born into the oppressive life under the rule of Ingsoc. Readers are encouraged through Winston to adopt a negative opinion on the idea of communist rule and the inherent dangers of totalitarianism. The psychological manipulation and physical control are explored through Winston's journey, and with Winston's resistance and ultimate downfall, the reader is able to fully appreciate O'Briens reasoning, "Power is not a means, it is an end."
Ultimately, common ideas found in the novel 1984, totalitarianism, surveillance, and lack of privacy are also ubiquitous in modern society and government. Big Brother and modern day government have been able to control its citizens through surveillance equipment, and fear all for a little more power. There is much to learn from such an undesirable form of society much like the one of Oceania in 1984. Examining Big Brother government closely, alarming connections can be made to real-world government actions in the United States and the cruel world within Orwell's book.
Orwell’s classic, 1984, is a haunting, disturbing novel. Everything from constant surveillance to the mutability of the past adds to the creepy world Orwell created in his classic. Orwell’s writing style is incredibly descriptive, and paints a completely convincing picture of his dystopian setting. He does not use much figurative language, but he does rely on logical fallacies accepted as fact to shock and intrigue the reader. One
New York: New York, 2010. Print. The. Should the U.S. Continue Its War on Drugs? Opposing Views: Issues, Experts, Answers.
An overview of the Orwellian world of 1984 will give some context for comparison between what is happening in our world today, how it mirrors the situation in the novel, and the implications that it carries regarding what is happening within our society...
Throughout the evolution of man, power and control have been idealized. When power is attained by manipulative dictators, citizens may initially view them as a means to satisfy their need for structure and direction. An author’s grim prophecy of mankind in a totalitarian society is depicted in George Orwell’s, 1984. Citizens in Oceania are governed by the Party Big Brother, which succeeds in controlling their actions and minds. The concept of oppression is taken to a new level, until there is no sense of humanity within the society.
One type of the propaganda which is common in 1984 is called “doublethink”. As the book describes it as, “the power of holding two contradictory beliefs in one’s mind simultaneously, and accepting both of them.” (270). Propaganda ensures people of their society and makes them think that they have a better life in contrast to other zones. One of the famous propaganda used are the three slogans, “WAR IS PEACE”.
From Big Brother, the Thought Police, the telescreen and the Two-Minutes of Hate, Orwell shows that with control on what you see, hear and think through media one can lose their independence and have a structured, robotic daily life. By the telescreen displaying the citizens rules and tasks, taking away their privacy and Big Brother controlling Oceania’s thoughts, Winston fearing his own thoughts and love and judgement on Goldstein at the Two-Minutes of Hate, proves that totalitarianism leads to the ultimate controlling of the citizens of Oceania in 1984.
President’s Drug Policy (2004). National Drug Control Strategy. Retrieved on April 13, 2005 from www.whitehousedrugpolicy.gov
Shannon, Elaine. “The War on Drugs: A Losing Battle.” Time.com. Time Magazine, 3 Dec. 2010. Web. 18 Dec. 2011. .
Wolf, M. (2011, June 4). We should declare an end to our disastrous war on drugs. Financial Times. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com.proxy.consortiumlibrary.org/docview/870200965?accountid=14473
The "War on Drugs" Palo Alto: Mayfield, 1986. Kennedy, X.J., Dorothy M. Kennedy, and Jane E. Aaron, eds. The Bedford Reader. 6th ed. of the book.