Totalitarian Goverments in George Orwell’s Novel 1984

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Recommended: Discuss the right to freedom of expression

Humans are defined by their personalities. The development of personalities stems from the freedom to express and interact with other humans. They are judged by their mental and emotional stability, as well as their physical appearances. When dealing with an oppressed society, one can often develop a apathetic personality, due to the surrounding messages that are forced upon them. In George Orwell’s novel 1984, he warns Americans about the dangers of totalitarian government systems, and how oppressing power can alter both humans and society in a short amount of time. He also warns how human interaction can become more limited within the society due to this overwhelming power, thus, changing the language, and way of life, within the cities. With this, citizens lose their sense of individuality, and are robbed of their personal thoughts and expressions, leaving them to a society of silence and dullness. In George Orwell’s novel 1984, he demonstrates how those who accept being oppressed by totalitarian power, eventually become isolated and emotionally modified by society, resulting in their loss of individuality. In the beginning of 1984, Orwell expresses how those living in an oppressed society ultimately becomes oblivious to the uncontrollable power, resulting in individuals accepting the views of their leaders. The government, otherwise known as Big Brother, monitors everyone’s actions in the town of Oceania, and leaves them with no power to have any individual rights. Emmanuel Goldstein, is the head of the anti-totalitarian organization, called “The Brotherhood.” While Emmanuel was giving a speech, the telescreen switched to Big Brother who was offering words of encouragement, attempting to restore confidence within the publi... ... middle of paper ... ...he was broken down and mentally rewired by the government, once again. Big Brother took away the one thing that humans rely on the most, their conscience. In George Orwell’s novel 1984, he illustrates how those who are being oppressed by totalitarian power, soon become isolated and emotionally modified by society, resulting in their loss of individuality and personal expression. Overall, Big Brother was the largest oppressive power of the society, and all of the citizens’ right’s were taken from them, due to this overwhelming government. Orwell’s warning was to alert those that if we are not careful with our decisions of who runs our country, then this terrifying event could have possibly occurred during 1984. War, is not peace, and freedom, is not slavery. Works Cited Orwell, George, and Erich Fromm. 1984: A Novel. New York, NY: Signet Classic, 1961. Print

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