The Themes Of Individualism In George Orwell's 1984

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George Orwell uses Winston to represent truth in a deceptive world in his novel 1984. In Oceania, Big Brother is the omnipotent and all powerful leader. Everything the government dictates is unquestionably true, regardless of prior knowledge. Even thinking of ideas that go against Big Brother’s regime, or thoughtcrime, is punishable by death. Winston serves as the dystopian hero, longing for freedom and change. Orwell uses Winston to emphasize the importance of individual freedoms, as they give us the ability to fulfillingly lead our respective lives. Because individualism is the demise of a communist society, in 1984 the Party eliminates anyone acting as an individual. No one person may revolt against the Party’s teachings in order for …show more content…

Keeping the public uneducated essential to their credulousness. Orwell explains, “The purpose of Newspeak was not only to provide a medium of expression for the world-view and mental habits proper to the devotees of Ingsoc, but to make all other modes of thought impossible . . . literally unthinkable,” (246). If the public is unable to think of rebellion, then rebellion is unfeasible. The Party has invaded every citizen 's right to choose, including their right to think. As the ability to think decreases, so does the ability to create. Without the invention of new ideas, society will never be able to advance; they will forever be stuck in the oppression …show more content…

Totalitarianism is achieved when the citizens have surrendered their free will to the government; they must choose to obey the Party’s teachings. The government encourages this mindset through propaganda. Winston describes, “On each landing, opposite the lift shaft, the poster with the enormous face gazed from the wall. It is one of those pictures which are so contrived that eyes follow you about when you move. BIG BROTHER IS WATCHING YOU, the caption beneath it ran,” (5). In psychology, one of the motivators is the superego; our conscious that makes us behave according to expectations . If one feels that he is being observed, he will be much more likely to behave according to society 's standards. The poster is a constant reminder of this god-like figure watching over them. Any sane citizen would avoid punishment and the immense feelings of guilt by simply obeying Big

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