1984 vs V

Can you imagine a world, nation or society where freedom and independence is simply a thought, but then again an illegal thought of which can be punished with death? No history, transparency, social justice or even truth you are living within, one, big, lie. For many during World War II this was a very real fear. A fear of an extreme totalitarian regime, a dystopia.

George Orwell’s novel 1984 question’s the role of government in society and intends to convince contemporary readers that a society like Oceania can exist again if people do not act against tyrannical and totalitarian governments. Key values to a totalitarian government in which Orwell explores is power and control. Through the use of various language techniques such as symbolism and motifs these values are explored early and through-out the text to create Orwell’s totalitarian world.

Immediately within the text the control of the “Inner Party Government” is established through the use of the telescreen’s symbol. The omnipresent telescreen’s blare constant propaganda ensuring at no point are the citizens of Oceania not being fed censored information that the government use to manipulate the individuals psychological thoughts. The device also observes the citizens at all times to ensure that any act that goes against the government does not go without severe consequences most often death. The telescreen’s symbolize how a totalitarian government can exploit their citizens to ensure they maintain the strictest power and control.

Orwell reinforces the values of power and control through the concept of Doublethink. The concept of doublethink is repeated through-out the text as a motif. Doublethink is the government’s ability to hold two contradictory ideas within the individuals mind at the same time, this breaks down the ability for you to think independently. An example that occurs twice throughout the text once in book one and secondly in book two when Winston is a prisoner of the Ministry of...