Totalitarianism In V For Vendetta

Aaron Lee
Period 2
AP Literature and Composition
Question 3 Essay

“Remember; remember the Fifth of November the Gunpowder Treason and plot. I know of no reason why the Gunpowder Treason should ever be forgot.” This quote from the novel V for Vendetta is based a dystopian story based in London, and the author wants the readers to know that there is an issue that needs to be fixed or else it will end the world in turmoil. Yet another writer who successfully wrote a dystopian novel to warn humanity of is George Orwell, in his book 1984. Orwell warns his readers of the dangers of totalitarianism and that if we allow the government to interfere and take over our lives we will live in a dystopian; where people cannot think for themselves. The dystopian world that Orwell creates through imagery, irony and satire, warns that totalitarianism may soon exist in the United States.

Orwell’s dystopian world in 1984 shows the possibility of a terrifying future of the real world if it succumbs to totalitarianism. 1984 was written during the Cold War, a time of major tension and crisis between two super powers, the United States and the Soviet Union, and the setting from 1984 displayed that the threat was real. The book was written to show that the government could take control of our lives and become like Big Brother; who always follows your every moves, controls every action, and brainwashes you that the Big Brother is good. George Orwell was warning against the actions the government was taking during the early Cold War Era. The imagery Orwell uses is clear when he describes Oceania under a totalitarian regime,” the elevator is broken and always has been, there aren’t any colors in the city, it is an unpleasant world to live ...

... middle of paper ...

...people, further Orwell is warning us of this lie. Maybe Orwell wants us to be vigilant and possibly question our departments of our government? Further Orwell uses irony and satire in 1984 is “Nothing is your own except the few cubic centimetres inside your skull.” Here Orwell uses satire to emphasize and exaggerate that under a totalitarian government people own nothing and can’t do anything at their own will, no one can think for themselves because it’s a crime.

Through 1984, Orwell warns his readers and audience of the possible totalitarianism that may evolve into the government like the dystopian world, Oceania. Through his use of imagery, irony, and satire, George Orwell successfully demonstrates his fear of a world under a totalitarian government and warns his readers through his rhetorical techniques that it may soon occur in the United States.