research paper of 1984

1984 Research Paper Topics

This page delves into various 1984 research paper topics , providing students a comprehensive guide to aid their academic endeavors. From character analysis to thematic examinations, the narrative of 1984 presents a wealth of topics ripe for scholarly exploration. Students and researchers alike will benefit from this extensive compilation, offering insights and pathways to dissect Orwell’s magnum opus. Whether one is a novice to Orwell’s world or a seasoned critic, these 1984 research paper topics promise a thorough understanding and fresh perspectives on this timeless literary masterpiece.

100+ 1984 Research Paper Topics:

Delving into the intricate layers of George Orwell’s 1984 is an endeavor both exciting and thought-provoking. This novel, rich in themes, character development, and sociopolitical commentary, is a goldmine for students looking to craft a compelling research paper. Below is a comprehensive list of 1984 research paper topics, meticulously categorized, that shed light on various facets of this dystopian masterpiece.

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Themes and Concepts

• The role of propaganda in controlling the populace.
• The exploration of truth and reality in 1984 .
• The concept of “doublethink” and its implications for free thought.
• The societal impact of surveillance and the “Big Brother” concept.
• The dehumanization and stripping of individuality in Oceania.
• The mechanics and role of the Thought Police.
• The psychological manipulation techniques used by the Party.
• The role and symbolism of the proles in 1984 .
• The influence of war on society’s mindset and politics.
• The commentary on language’s role in shaping thought, via Newspeak.

Character Analyses

• Winston Smith: A journey from conformity to rebellion.
• Julia’s role as both a rebel and a product of the Party’s system.
• The character and function of Big Brother in the narrative.
• O’Brien’s complexity: Torturer, philosopher, and Party loyalist.
• The significance and role of Mr. Charrington in Winston’s life.
• Syme’s obsession with Newspeak and its eventual consequences.
• Parsons: The ideal Party member and the dangers of blind loyalty.
• The importance and narrative function of the prole woman.
• The symbolic nature of the characters Ampleforth and Jones.
• Winston’s relationship dynamics with his fellow workers.

Symbolism and Motifs

• The significance of Room 101 and its different representations.
• The glass paperweight: Its symbolic journey and meaning.
• The omnipresence and meaning behind the phrase “Big Brother is Watching You.”
• The “red-armed prole woman” as a beacon of hope and humanity.
• The symbolic degradation of the old rhyme “Oranges and Lemons.”
• The importance of the diary in Winston’s journey.
• The chestnut tree café and its evolution as a symbol.
• The “Golden Country” in Winston’s dreams and its contrasting reality.
• The destruction and manipulation of historical records as a recurring motif.
• The dichotomy of love and hate in 1984 .

Literary Techniques and Style

• The use of third-person limited perspective in 1984 .
• Orwell’s crafting of suspense throughout the narrative.
• The bleak and descriptive setting of Oceania and its literary significance.
• The influence of Orwell’s own political views in the narrative style of 1984 .
• Exploration of the dystopian genre through Orwell’s lens.
• The use and impact of irony in 1984 .
• The structural importance of “The Book” within the book.
• The tone and mood shifts throughout the novel and their implications.
• The role of foreshadowing in predicting Winston’s fate.
• The interplay of hope and despair in Orwell’s narrative voice.

Comparisons and Context

• 1984 vs. Aldous Huxley’s Brave New World : Differing dystopian visions.
• The influences of Orwell’s experiences in Spain on 1984 .
• Comparing the societal control mechanisms in 1984 with contemporary societies.
• Orwell’s 1984 in the context of modern surveillance states.
• Parallels between 1984 and other totalitarian regimes in history.
• The influence of 1984 on later dystopian works.
• 1984 and the concept of “fake news” in the modern era.
• The implications of 1984 in the digital age and privacy debates.
• How 1984 reflects Orwell’s views on socialism and totalitarianism.
• Orwell’s 1984 and its echoes in modern pop culture.

Theoretical Approaches

• A feminist reading of 1984 .
• Applying postcolonial theory to Orwell’s 1984 .
• The psychoanalytic aspects of 1984 : Freud and beyond.
• 1984 through the lens of Marxist literary criticism.
• Deconstructionist views on Orwell’s narrative structures.
• The role of power structures in 1984 from a Foucauldian perspective.
• Exploring 1984 through the eyes of New Historicism.
• Structuralist readings of Orwell’s dystopian narrative.
• The reader-response theory and 1984 .
• Evaluating 1984 using the tenets of Eco-criticism.

Legacy and Influence

• 1984 in contemporary pop culture: References, adaptations, and inspirations.
• The impact of 1984 on subsequent dystopian literature.
• Orwell’s vision and its influence on political discourse.
• How 1984 shaped the understanding of surveillance in popular culture.
• 1984 and its imprint on music: Songs, lyrics, and albums inspired by the novel.
• The influence of Orwell’s masterpiece on visual arts: films, paintings, and installations.
• 1984 in theater: Interpretations and adaptations on the stage.
• Teaching 1984 : Its role in modern educational curriculums.
• 1984 in the tech age: From Big Brother to Big Data.
• Legacy of 1984 in fashion and design: A dystopian aesthetic.

Sociopolitical Interpretations

• 1984 and its critique of Stalinist USSR.
• The novel’s reflection on Western democracies during the Cold War.
• Orwell’s perspective on censorship and information control.
• Analyzing the concept of “doublethink” in modern political discourse.
• 1984 and its warnings against the erosion of civil liberties.
• Exploring the novel’s take on nationalism and state propaganda.
• 1984 and its insights into behavior modification through societal pressure.
• The convergence of corporate and state surveillance: Orwell’s predictions.
• Orwell’s views on totalitarianism and the erosion of individual rights.
• 1984 and its resonance with contemporary global political climates.

Psychological Dimensions

• The psychological torment of Winston Smith: An in-depth analysis.
• Fear, control, and compliance: The mechanisms of psychological manipulation in 1984 .
• The role of memory and its manipulation in Orwell’s dystopia.
• Groupthink and collective consciousness in 1984 .
• The emotional and psychological implications of constant surveillance.
• 1984 and its exploration of existential dread and hopelessness.
• Freudian interpretations of dreams and desires in 1984 .
• Cognitive dissonance and the challenge of maintaining sanity in Orwell’s Oceania.
• The psychological significance of Winston’s relationships and affiliations.
• Mental resilience and its limits: How characters in 1984 cope with tyranny.

Philosophical Angles

• 1984 and the nature of truth: A philosophical exploration.
• The novel’s take on utilitarianism and the greater good.
• Exploring existentialism in 1984 .
• Free will, determinism, and destiny in Orwell’s universe.
• 1984 and the philosophical debate on privacy versus security.
• The novel’s exploration of love, loyalty, and human connection in a disconnected world.
• Nietzschean perspectives on power and control in 1984 .
• The Sisyphean struggle: Hope, rebellion, and inevitability in Orwell’s world.
• Analyzing the concept of reality through a Platonic lens in 1984 .
• The meaning of life, purpose, and individualism in a conformist society.

Linguistic and Semiotic Studies

• The linguistic genius behind Newspeak and its implications for thought.
• Semiotic analysis of symbols and motifs in 1984 .
• Orwell’s exploration of language as a tool of power and control.
• The rhetoric of the Party: A study in persuasive language.
• The relationship between language, thought, and reality in 1984 .
• Orwell’s warnings on the degradation and simplification of language.
• 1984 and the linguistics of propaganda.
• A semiotic analysis of “Big Brother” as a symbol.
• The power dynamics in the language of 1984 .
• The linguistic structures of rebellion and conformity in the novel.

George Orwell’s 1984 is a veritable treasure trove for literature enthusiasts and researchers. This comprehensive list is just the tip of the iceberg, aiming to provide a springboard for deeper dives into the novel’s many facets. Whether examining its iconic characters, dissecting its intricate themes, or comparing its dystopian vision with other works, the opportunities for insightful research are boundless. So, equip yourself with this guide, pick a topic, and embark on a journey into the depths of one of literature’s most iconic works.

1984 and the Range of Research Paper Topics It Offers

George Orwell’s 1984 is not just a novel—it’s a testament, a warning, and a lens through which the very fabric of society and humanity can be viewed. Published in 1949, Orwell’s chilling portrayal of a totalitarian society where even thoughts are monitored and controlled has become a staple in literary education and cultural discussions around the world. The novel’s enduring relevance and its resonance with present-day concerns about surveillance, freedom, and control mean that it remains an unparalleled topic for academic exploration. Here’s an in-depth look at 1984 research paper topics.

Historical Context and Immediate Relevance

The aftermath of World War II, the rise of totalitarian regimes, the onset of the Cold War, and Orwell’s own experiences in Spain provided a rich backdrop for 1984 . He observed firsthand the perils of extreme ideologies and the erosion of individual freedoms. The novel was a dire warning against the potential trajectory of unchecked power and a call to vigilance. This historical context itself offers a plethora of research angles—from comparisons between the Party’s tactics and those of real-world regimes to an exploration of the novel’s reception in various geopolitical climates.

Themes and Motifs: A Goldmine for Analysis

Orwell’s novel is drenched in compelling themes—totalitarianism, censorship, the nature of reality, psychological manipulation, language as a tool of control, and more. Each theme is not just a part of the novel’s fabric but is intricately woven into its very essence. For example, Newspeak, the official language of Oceania, isn’t just a linguistic tool; it’s a weapon to limit free thought and ensure the Party’s hegemony. Delving deep into these themes opens up research avenues that can intersect with philosophy, linguistics, psychology, and political science.

Characters as Mirrors of Society

The inhabitants of Oceania are not merely characters in a plot—they are symbols, representations of segments of society. Winston, with his rebellious nature, stands for the suppressed intellectual spirit. Julia represents the more tangible, bodily resistance. Meanwhile, O’Brien embodies the chilling reality of a world devoid of morals, running solely on power dynamics. By diving deep into their motivations, conflicts, and arcs, one can glean insights into the human condition under pressure and surveillance.

Contemporary Resonance: 1984 in the Digital Age

What makes 1984 a continual source of intrigue is its eerie relevance to today’s world. With discussions about data privacy, surveillance capitalism, and governmental oversight becoming more pronounced in the digital age, Orwell’s warnings seem prescient. Exploring 1984 in the context of the 21st century—an age of smartphones, AI, and big data—can yield discussions that are both enlightening and unsettling.

In Conclusion

1984 is more than a literary masterpiece—it’s a canvas upon which our deepest fears and highest hopes are painted. Whether you’re delving into its historical roots, analyzing its profound themes, dissecting its rich characters, or drawing parallels with the modern world, the novel offers an expansive field for research. It serves as a reminder of the power of literature to reflect, predict, and influence society. The range of research paper topics it offers is vast, ensuring that every academic exploration of the text is a unique journey in understanding humanity’s dance with power, freedom, and control.

How to Choose 1984 Research Paper Topics

Choosing a research topic from George Orwell’s 1984 can seem like a daunting task given the novel’s multifaceted nature and its rich tapestry of themes, characters, and socio-political contexts. The book’s continued relevance and its broad scope make it a treasure trove for researchers. However, to ensure your research stands out and resonates with your readers, it’s essential to select your topic judiciously. Here are ten tips to guide you in your quest for the perfect 1984 research topic:

• Passion and Interest: Start by identifying what intrigues you most about 1984 . Is it the oppressive nature of Big Brother? The chilling psychology of the Thought Police? Or perhaps the sociopolitical implications and its parallels with today’s world? Choosing a topic you’re passionate about will make the research process more enjoyable and engaging.
• Historical Context: Delve into the era when Orwell penned this masterpiece. Understanding the political climate of the time, Orwell’s personal experiences, and the rise of totalitarian regimes can offer a fresh perspective and a deeper understanding of the novel’s themes.
• Interdisciplinary Approaches: Don’t limit yourself to literary analysis alone. Consider combining insights from other disciplines like political science, psychology, or linguistics. For instance, you could explore the psychology behind the brainwashing techniques employed in the novel or the linguistic implications of Newspeak.
• Contemporary Relevance: Analyze the novel’s themes in the context of today’s digital era. How do concepts like surveillance, privacy, and freedom play out in our age of social media, big data, and AI?
• Character Analysis: Dive deep into the motivations, desires, and arcs of characters. For instance, a comparative study of Winston and Julia’s resistance methods or an in-depth analysis of O’Brien’s philosophical discourses can yield rich results.
• Thematic Exploration: Rather than skimming the surface of multiple themes, consider focusing in-depth on one. This allows for a nuanced and detailed examination, be it of totalitarianism, the malleability of reality, or the power dynamics inherent in language.
• Narrative Techniques: Analyze Orwell’s narrative strategies. How does his third-person limited perspective enhance the story’s atmosphere? What role does irony play? Exploring these techniques can offer a fresh lens through which to view the novel.
• Comparative Study: Compare 1984 with other dystopian works, such as Aldous Huxley’s “Brave New World” or Margaret Atwood’s “The Handmaid’s Tale”. Such a comparison can offer insights into the varying depictions and warnings of dystopian futures.
• Feedback and Peer Review: Once you’ve shortlisted a few 1984 research paper topics, discuss them with peers, professors, or mentors. Their feedback can offer new perspectives or refine your chosen direction.
• Scope and Feasibility: Finally, ensure that your chosen topic is neither too broad nor too narrow. It should be expansive enough to warrant research but specific enough to be covered comprehensively within your paper’s limitations.

Choosing a research topic for 1984 is a journey in itself, one that requires introspection, exploration, and a keen understanding of the novel’s intricate layers. The right topic not only aligns with your interests but also offers fresh insights and perspectives on Orwell’s magnum opus. So, immerse yourself in the world of Oceania, let Winston’s struggles and Big Brother’s omnipresence guide you, and embark on a research journey that’s as enlightening as it is engaging.

How to Write a 1984 Research Paper

Crafting a research paper on George Orwell’s 1984 demands a synthesis of comprehensive reading, analytical acumen, and a clear writing style. Whether you’re delving into a character’s psyche or drawing parallels between Oceania and contemporary society, your paper should be a cohesive and compelling piece of academic work. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you navigate the process:

• Thorough Reading: Before anything else, ensure you’ve read 1984 meticulously. Note down important quotes, pivotal scenes, and significant character developments. This foundational knowledge is crucial for any in-depth analysis.
• Define Your Thesis Statement: This is the core argument or point of your paper. Whether it’s a character analysis of Winston or an exploration of Orwellian prophesies in the 21st century, your thesis should be specific and debatable.
• Extensive Research: While 1984 will be your primary source, secondary sources are vital for enriching your arguments. Dive into scholarly articles, critiques, and other related literature to understand various interpretations and gather supporting evidence.
• Construct an Outline: This step will give structure to your thoughts. Start with an introduction, followed by body paragraphs (each making a specific point related to your thesis), and conclude with a summarizing argument.
• Dive Deep into Analysis: Rather than merely summarizing the plot, focus on interpreting and analyzing. How does Orwell portray totalitarianism? What does the character of O’Brien represent in the larger scheme of things? Such questions will guide your analytical narrative.
• Incorporate Quotations Judiciously: Direct quotations from the novel can bolster your claims. However, ensure they’re relevant to your argument, and always provide context and interpretation for each quote.
• Maintain a Formal Tone and Structure: Avoid colloquialisms and ensure your paper has a logical flow, with each paragraph transitioning seamlessly into the next.
• Address Counterarguments: A well-rounded research paper considers alternative viewpoints or potential criticisms of the thesis. By addressing these counterarguments, you can fortify your own position and demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of the topic.
• Citation and Bibliography: Given the academic nature of the paper, ensure every claim or idea borrowed from an external source is properly cited. Depending on your institution’s guidelines, familiarize yourself with citation styles like APA, MLA, or Chicago.
• Proofread and Revise: Once your draft is complete, set it aside for a day or two. Revisit it with fresh eyes, looking out for grammatical errors, inconsistencies, or areas that lack clarity. Consider seeking feedback from peers or mentors to refine your paper further.

Writing a research paper on 1984 is both a challenge and an opportunity. While Orwell’s dystopian world offers a plethora of 1984 research paper topics and interpretations, the real task lies in distilling these ideas into a well-structured and compelling narrative. Remember, beyond the grades or academic acclaim, the true reward lies in the deeper understanding and appreciation of Orwell’s vision and the timeless lessons it imparts. So, arm yourself with patience, perseverance, and passion, and embark on this enlightening literary journey.

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Doublethink Is Stronger Than Orwell Imagined

What 1984 means today

No novel of the past century has had more influence than George Orwell’s 1984 . The title, the adjectival form of the author’s last name, the vocabulary of the all-powerful Party that rules the superstate Oceania with the ideology of Ingsoc— doublethink , memory hole , unperson , thoughtcrime , Newspeak , Thought Police , Room 101 , Big Brother —they’ve all entered the English language as instantly recognizable signs of a nightmare future. It’s almost impossible to talk about propaganda, surveillance, authoritarian politics, or perversions of truth without dropping a reference to 1984. Throughout the Cold War, the novel found avid underground readers behind the Iron Curtain who wondered, How did he know?

It was also assigned reading for several generations of American high-school students. I first encountered 1984 in 10th-grade English class. Orwell’s novel was paired with Aldous Huxley’s Brave New World , whose hedonistic and pharmaceutical dystopia seemed more relevant to a California teenager in the 1970s than did the bleak sadism of Oceania. I was too young and historically ignorant to understand where 1984 came from and exactly what it was warning against. Neither the book nor its author stuck with me. In my 20s, I discovered Orwell’s essays and nonfiction books and reread them so many times that my copies started to disintegrate, but I didn’t go back to 1984 . Since high school, I’d lived through another decade of the 20th century, including the calendar year of the title, and I assumed I already “knew” the book. It was too familiar to revisit.

Read: Teaching ‘1984’ in 2016

So when I recently read the novel again, I wasn’t prepared for its power. You have to clear away what you think you know, all the terminology and iconography and cultural spin-offs, to grasp the original genius and lasting greatness of 1984 . It is both a profound political essay and a shocking, heartbreaking work of art. And in the Trump era , it’s a best seller .

The Ministry of Truth: The Biography of George Orwell’s 1984 , by the British music critic Dorian Lynskey, makes a rich and compelling case for the novel as the summation of Orwell’s entire body of work and a master key to understanding the modern world. The book was published in 1949, when Orwell was dying of tuberculosis , but Lynskey dates its biographical sources back more than a decade to Orwell’s months in Spain as a volunteer on the republican side of the country’s civil war. His introduction to totalitarianism came in Barcelona, when agents of the Soviet Union created an elaborate lie to discredit Trotskyists in the Spanish government as fascist spies.

Left-wing journalists readily accepted the fabrication, useful as it was to the cause of communism. Orwell didn’t, exposing the lie with eyewitness testimony in journalism that preceded his classic book Homage to Catalonia —and that made him a heretic on the left. He was stoical about the boredom and discomforts of trench warfare—he was shot in the neck and barely escaped Spain with his life—but he took the erasure of truth hard. It threatened his sense of what makes us sane, and life worth living. “History stopped in 1936,” he later told his friend Arthur Koestler, who knew exactly what Orwell meant. After Spain, just about everything he wrote and read led to the creation of his final masterpiece. “History stopped,” Lynskey writes, “and Nineteen Eighty-Four began.”

The biographical story of 1984 —the dying man’s race against time to finish his novel in a remote cottage on the Isle of Jura , off Scotland—will be familiar to many Orwell readers. One of Lynskey’s contributions is to destroy the notion that its terrifying vision can be attributed to, and in some way disregarded as, the death wish of a tuberculosis patient. In fact, terminal illness roused in Orwell a rage to live—he got remarried on his deathbed—just as the novel’s pessimism is relieved, until its last pages, by Winston Smith’s attachment to nature, antique objects, the smell of coffee, the sound of a proletarian woman singing, and above all his lover, Julia. 1984 is crushingly grim, but its clarity and rigor are stimulants to consciousness and resistance. According to Lynskey, “Nothing in Orwell’s life and work supports a diagnosis of despair.”

Lynskey traces the literary genesis of 1984 to the utopian fictions of the optimistic 19th century—Edward Bellamy’s Looking Backward (1888); the sci-fi novels of H. G. Wells, which Orwell read as a boy—and their dystopian successors in the 20th, including the Russian Yevgeny Zamyatin’s We (1924) and Huxley’s Brave New World (1932). The most interesting pages in The Ministry of Truth are Lynskey’s account of the novel’s afterlife. The struggle to claim 1984 began immediately upon publication, with a battle over its political meaning. Conservative American reviewers concluded that Orwell’s main target wasn’t just the Soviet Union but the left generally. Orwell, fading fast, waded in with a statement explaining that the novel was not an attack on any particular government but a satire of the totalitarian tendencies in Western society and intellectuals: “The moral to be drawn from this dangerous nightmare situation is a simple one: Don’t let it happen. It depends on you .” But every work of art escapes the artist’s control—the more popular and complex, the greater the misunderstandings.

Lynskey’s account of the reach of 1984 is revelatory. The novel has inspired movies, television shows, plays, a ballet, an opera, a David Bowie album , imitations, parodies, sequels, rebuttals, Lee Harvey Oswald, the Black Panther Party, and the John Birch Society. It has acquired something of the smothering ubiquity of Big Brother himself: 1984 is watching you. With the arrival of the year 1984, the cultural appropriations rose to a deafening level. That January an ad for the Apple Macintosh was watched by 96 million people during the Super Bowl and became a marketing legend. The Mac, represented by a female athlete, hurls a sledgehammer at a giant telescreen and explodes the shouting face of a man—oppressive technology—to the astonishment of a crowd of gray zombies. The message: “You’ll see why 1984 won’t be like ‘1984.’ ”

The argument recurs every decade or so: Orwell got it wrong. Things haven’t turned out that bad. The Soviet Union is history. Technology is liberating. But Orwell never intended his novel to be a prediction, only a warning. And it’s as a warning that 1984 keeps finding new relevance. The week of Donald Trump’s inauguration, when the president’s adviser Kellyanne Conway justified his false crowd estimate by using the phrase alternative facts , the novel returned to the best-seller lists. A theatrical adaptation was rushed to Broadway. The vocabulary of Newspeak went viral. An authoritarian president who stood the term fake news on its head, who once said, “What you’re seeing and what you’re reading is not what’s happening,” has given 1984 a whole new life.

What does the novel mean for us? Not Room 101 in the Ministry of Love, where Winston is interrogated and tortured until he loses everything he holds dear. We don’t live under anything like a totalitarian system. “By definition, a country in which you are free to read Nineteen Eighty-Four is not the country described in Nineteen Eighty-Four ,” Lynskey acknowledges. Instead, we pass our days under the nonstop surveillance of a telescreen that we bought at the Apple Store, carry with us everywhere, and tell everything to, without any coercion by the state. The Ministry of Truth is Facebook, Google, and cable news. We have met Big Brother and he is us.

Trump’s election brought a rush of cautionary books with titles like On Tyranny , Fascism: A Warning , and How Fascism Works . My local bookstore set up a totalitarian-themed table and placed the new books alongside 1984 . They pointed back to the 20th century—if it happened in Germany, it could happen here—and warned readers how easily democracies collapse. They were alarm bells against complacency and fatalism—“ the politics of inevitability ,” in the words of the historian Timothy Snyder, “a sense that the future is just more of the present, that the laws of progress are known, that there are no alternatives, and therefore nothing really to be done.” The warnings were justified, but their emphasis on the mechanisms of earlier dictatorships drew attention away from the heart of the malignancy—not the state, but the individual. The crucial issue was not that Trump might abolish democracy but that Americans had put him in a position to try. Unfreedom today is voluntary. It comes from the bottom up.

We are living with a new kind of regime that didn’t exist in Orwell’s time. It combines hard nationalism—the diversion of frustration and cynicism into xenophobia and hatred—with soft distraction and confusion: a blend of Orwell and Huxley, cruelty and entertainment. The state of mind that the Party enforces through terror in 1984 , where truth becomes so unstable that it ceases to exist, we now induce in ourselves. Totalitarian propaganda unifies control over all information, until reality is what the Party says it is—the goal of Newspeak is to impoverish language so that politically incorrect thoughts are no longer possible. Today the problem is too much information from too many sources, with a resulting plague of fragmentation and division—not excessive authority but its disappearance, which leaves ordinary people to work out the facts for themselves, at the mercy of their own prejudices and delusions.

During the 2016 U.S. presidential campaign, propagandists at a Russian troll farm used social media to disseminate a meme: “ ‘The People Will Believe What the Media Tells Them They Believe.’  — George Orwell.” But Orwell never said this. The moral authority of his name was stolen and turned into a lie toward that most Orwellian end: the destruction of belief in truth. The Russians needed partners in this effort and found them by the millions, especially among America’s non-elites. In 1984 , working-class people are called “proles,” and Winston believes they’re the only hope for the future. As Lynskey points out, Orwell didn’t foresee “that the common man and woman would embrace doublethink as enthusiastically as the intellectuals and, without the need for terror or torture, would choose to believe that two plus two was whatever they wanted it to be.”

We stagger under the daily load of doublethink pouring from Trump, his enablers in the Inner Party, his mouthpieces in the Ministry of Truth, and his fanatical supporters among the proles. Spotting doublethink in ourselves is much harder. “To see what is in front of one’s nose needs a constant struggle,” Orwell wrote . In front of my nose, in the world of enlightened and progressive people where I live and work, a different sort of doublethink has become pervasive. It’s not the claim that true is fake or that two plus two makes five. Progressive doublethink—which has grown worse in reaction to the right-wing kind—creates a more insidious unreality because it operates in the name of all that is good. Its key word is justice —a word no one should want to live without. But today the demand for justice forces you to accept contradictions that are the essence of doublethink.

For example, many on the left now share an unacknowledged but common assumption that a good work of art is made of good politics and that good politics is a matter of identity. The progressive view of a book or play depends on its political stance, and its stance—even its subject matter—is scrutinized in light of the group affiliation of the artist: Personal identity plus political position equals aesthetic value. This confusion of categories guides judgments all across the worlds of media, the arts, and education, from movie reviews to grant committees. Some people who register the assumption as doublethink might be privately troubled, but they don’t say so publicly. Then self-censorship turns into self-deception, until the recognition itself disappears—a lie you accept becomes a lie you forget. In this way, intelligent people do the work of eliminating their own unorthodoxy without the Thought Police.

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Orthodoxy is also enforced by social pressure, nowhere more intensely than on Twitter, where the specter of being shamed or “canceled” produces conformity as much as the prospect of adding to your tribe of followers does. This pressure can be more powerful than a party or state, because it speaks in the name of the people and in the language of moral outrage, against which there is, in a way, no defense. Certain commissars with large followings patrol the precincts of social media and punish thought criminals, but most progressives assent without difficulty to the stifling consensus of the moment and the intolerance it breeds—not out of fear, but because they want to be counted on the side of justice.

This willing constriction of intellectual freedom will do lasting damage. It corrupts the ability to think clearly, and it undermines both culture and progress. Good art doesn’t come from wokeness, and social problems starved of debate can’t find real solutions. “Nothing is gained by teaching a parrot a new word,” Orwell wrote in 1946. “What is needed is the right to print what one believes to be true, without having to fear bullying or blackmail from any side.” Not much has changed since the 1940s. The will to power still passes through hatred on the right and virtue on the left.

1984 will always be an essential book, regardless of changes in ideologies, for its portrayal of one person struggling to hold on to what is real and valuable. “Sanity is not statistical,” Winston thinks one night as he slips off to sleep. Truth, it turns out, is the most fragile thing in the world. The central drama of politics is the one inside your skull.

This article appears in the July 2019 print edition with the headline “George Orwell’s Unheeded Warning.”

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What Orwell’s ‘1984’ tells us about today’s world, 70 years after it was published

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Seventy years ago, Eric Blair, writing under a pseudonym George Orwell, published “1984,” now generally considered a classic of dystopian fiction .

The novel tells the story of Winston Smith, a hapless middle-aged bureaucrat who lives in Oceania, where he is governed by constant surveillance. Even though there are no laws, there is a police force, the “Thought Police,” and the constant reminders, on posters, that “Big Brother Is Watching You.”

Smith works at the Ministry of Truth, and his job is to rewrite the reports in newspapers of the past to conform with the present reality. Smith lives in a constant state of uncertainty; he is not sure the year is in fact 1984.

Although the official account is that Oceania has always been at war with Eurasia, Smith is quite sure he remembers that just a few years ago they had been at war with Eastasia, who has now been proclaimed their constant and loyal ally . The society portrayed in “1984” is one in which social control is exercised through disinformation and surveillance.

As a scholar of television and screen culture , I argue that the techniques and technologies described in the novel are very much present in today’s world.

‘1984’ as history

One of the key technologies of surveillance in the novel is the “telescreen,” a device very much like our own television.

The telescreen displays a single channel of news, propaganda and wellness programming. It differs from our own television in two crucial respects: It is impossible to turn off and the screen also watches its viewers.

The telescreen is television and surveillance camera in one. In the novel, the character Smith is never sure if he is being actively monitored through the telescreen.

Orwell’s telescreen was based in the technologies of television pioneered prior to World War II and could hardly be seen as science fiction. In the 1930s Germany had a working videophone system in place , and television programs were already being broadcast in parts of the United States, Great Britain and France .

Past, present and future

The dominant reading of “1984” has been that it was a dire prediction of what could be. In the words of Italian essayist Umberto Eco, “at least three-quarters of what Orwell narrates is not negative utopia, but history .”

Additionally, scholars have also remarked how clearly “1984” describes the present.

In 1949, when the novel was written, Americans watched on average four and a half hours of television a day; in 2009, almost twice that . In 2017, television watching was slightly down, to eight hours, more time than we spent asleep .

In the U.S. the information transmitted over television screens came to constitute a dominant portion of people’s social and psychological lives.

‘1984’ as present day

In the year 1984, however, there was much self-congratulatory coverage in the U.S. that the dystopia of the novel had not been realized. But media studies scholar Mark Miller argued how the famous slogan from the book, “Big Brother Is Watching You” had been turned to “Big Brother is you, watching” television .

Miller argued that television in the United States teaches a different kind of conformity than that portrayed in the novel. In the novel, the telescreen is used to produce conformity to the Party. In Miller’s argument, television produces conformity to a system of rapacious consumption – through advertising as well as a focus on the rich and famous. It also promotes endless productivity, through messages regarding the meaning of success and the virtues of hard work .

Many viewers conform by measuring themselves against what they see on television, such as dress, relationships and conduct. In Miller’s words, television has “set the standard of habitual self-scrutiny.”

The kind of paranoid worry possessed by Smith in the novel – that any false move or false thought will bring the thought police – instead manifests in television viewers that Miller describes as an “inert watchfulness.” In other words, viewers watch themselves to make sure they conform to those others they see on the screen.

This inert watchfulness can exist because television allows viewers to watch strangers without being seen. Scholar Joshua Meyrowitz has shown that the kinds of programming which dominate U.S television – news, sitcoms, dramas – have normalized looking into the private lives of others .

Controlling behavior

Alongside the steady rise of “reality TV,” beginning in the ‘60s with “Candid Camera,” “An American Family,” “Real People,” “Cops” and “The Real World,” television has also contributed to the acceptance of a kind of video surveillance.

For example, it might seem just clever marketing that one of the longest-running and most popular reality television shows in the world is entitled “ Big Brother .” The show’s nod to the novel invokes the kind of benevolent surveillance that “Big Brother” was meant to signify: “We are watching you and we will take care of you.”

But Big Brother, as a reality show, is also an experiment in controlling and modifying behavior. By asking participants to put their private lives on display, shows such as “Big Brother” encourage self-scrutiny and behaving according to perceived social norms or roles that challenge those perceived norms .

The stress of performing 24/7 on “Big Brother” has led the show to employ a team of psychologists .

Television scholar Anna McCarthy and others have shown that the origins of reality television can be traced back to social psychology and behavioral experiments in the aftermath of World War II, which were designed to better control people.

Yale University psychologist Stanley Milgram , for example, was influenced by “Candid Camera.”

In the “Candid Camera” show, cameras were concealed in places where they could film people in unusual situations. Milgram was fascinated with “Candid Camera,” and he used a similar model for his experiments – his participants were not aware that they were being watched or that it was part of an experiment .

Like many others in the aftermath of World War II, Milgram was interested in what could compel large numbers of people to “follow orders” and participate in genocidal acts. His “obedience experiments” found that a high proportion of participants obeyed instructions from an established authority figure to harm another person, even if reluctantly .

While contemporary reality TV shows do not order participants to directly harm each other, they are often set up as a small-scale social experiment that often involves intense competition or even cruelty.

Surveillance in daily life

And, just like in the novel, ubiquitous video surveillance is already here.

Closed-circuit television exist in virtually every area of American life, from transportation hubs and networks , to schools , supermarkets , hospitals and public sidewalks , not to mention law enforcement officers and their vehicles .

Surveillance footage from these cameras is repurposed as the raw material of television, mostly in the news but also in shows like “America’s Most Wanted,” “Right This Minute” and others. Many viewers unquestioningly accept this practice as legitimate .

The friendly face of surveillance

Reality television is the friendly face of surveillance. It helps viewers think that surveillance happens only to those who choose it or to those who are criminals. In fact, it is part of a culture of widespread television use, which has brought about what Norwegian criminologist Thomas Mathiesen called the “viewer society” – in which the many watch the few.

For Mathiesen, the viewer society is merely the other side of the surveillance society – described so aptly in Orwell’s novel – where a few watch the many.

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Home — Essay Samples — Literature — Books — 1984

Essays on 1984

Hook examples for "1984" essays, the dystopian warning hook.

Open your essay by discussing George Orwell's "1984" as a prophetic warning against totalitarianism and government surveillance. Explore how the novel's themes are eerily relevant in today's world.

The Orwellian Language Hook

Delve into the concept of Newspeak in "1984" and its parallels to modern language manipulation. Discuss how the novel's portrayal of controlled language reflects real-world instances of propaganda and censorship.

Big Brother is Watching Hook

Begin with a focus on surveillance and privacy concerns. Analyze the omnipresent surveillance in the novel and draw connections to contemporary debates over surveillance technologies, data privacy, and civil liberties.

The Power of Doublethink Hook

Explore the psychological manipulation in "1984" through the concept of doublethink. Discuss how individuals in the novel are coerced into accepting contradictory beliefs, and examine instances of cognitive dissonance in society today.

The Character of Winston Smith Hook

Introduce your readers to the protagonist, Winston Smith, and his journey of rebellion against the Party. Analyze his character development and the universal theme of resistance against oppressive regimes.

Technology and Control Hook

Discuss the role of technology in "1984" and its implications for control. Explore how advancements in surveillance technology, social media, and artificial intelligence resonate with the novel's themes of control and manipulation.

The Ministry of Truth Hook

Examine the Ministry of Truth in the novel, responsible for rewriting history. Compare this to the manipulation of information and historical revisionism in contemporary politics and media.

Media Manipulation and Fake News Hook

Draw parallels between the Party's manipulation of information in "1984" and the spread of misinformation and fake news in today's media landscape. Discuss the consequences of a distorted reality.

Relevance of Thoughtcrime Hook

Explore the concept of thoughtcrime and its impact on individual freedom in the novel. Discuss how society today grapples with issues related to freedom of thought, expression, and censorship.

Totalitarianism in "1984": a Critical Analysis

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The Importance of Fear in 1984

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1984 by George Orwell: Literary Devices to Portray Government Controlling Its Citizens

The use of language to control people in 1984, dictatorship of the people: orwell's 1984 as an allegory for the early soviet union, searching for truth in 1984, get a personalized essay in under 3 hours.

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A World Without Love: The Ramifications of an Affectionless Society in 1984

On double-think and newspeak: orwell's language, the theme of survival and selfishness in the handmaid's tale in 1984, government surveillance in 1984 by george orwell: bogus security, george orwell's 1984 as a historical allegory, exploitation of language in george orwell's 1984, how orwell's 1984 is relevant to today's audience, the relation of orwel’s 1984 to the uighur conflict in china, symbolism in 1984: the soviet union as representation of the fears people, parallels to today in 1984 by george orwell, the relationship between power and emotions in 1984, proletariat vs protagonist: winston smith's class conflict in 1984, a review of george orwell’s book, 1984, o'brien as a dehumanizing villain in 1984, family in 1984 and persepolis, the philosophy of determinism in 1984, orwell's use of rhetorical strategies in 1984, control the citizens in the orwell's novel 1984, dangers of totalitarianism as depicted in 1984, dystopian life in '1984' was a real-life in china.

8 June 1949, George Orwell

Novel; Dystopia, Political Fiction, Social Science Fiction Novel

Winston Smith, Julia, O'Brien, Aaronson, Jones, and Rutherford, Ampleforth, Charrington, Tom Parsons, Syme, Mrs. Parsons, Katharine Smith

Since Orwell has been a democratic socialist, he has modelled his book and motives after the Stalinist Russia

Power, Repressive Behaviors, Totalitarianism, Mass Surveillance, Human Behaviors

The novel has brought up the "Orwellian" term, which stands for "Big Brother" "Thoughtcrime" and many other terms that we know well. It has been the reflection of totalitarianism

1984 represents a dystopian writing that has followed the life of Winston Smith who belongs to the "Party",which stands for the total control, which is also known as the Big Brother. It controls every aspect of people's lives. Is it ever possible to go against the system or will it take even more control. It constantly follows the fear and oppression with the surveillance being the main part of 1984. There is Party’s official O’Brien who is following the resistance movement, which represents an alternative, which is the symbol of hope.

Before George Orwell wrote his famous book, he worked for the BBC as the propagandist during World War II. The novel has been named 1980, then 1982 before finally settling on its name. Orwell fought tuberculosis while writing the novel. He died seven months after 1984 was published. Orwell almost died during the boating trip while he was writing the novel. Orwell himself has been under government surveillance. It was because of his socialist opinions. The slogan that the book uses "2 + 2 = 5" originally came from Communist Russia and stood for the five-year plan that had to be achieved during only four years. Orwell also used various Japanese propaganda when writing his novel, precisely his "Thought Police" idea.

“Who controls the past controls the future. Who controls the present controls the past.” “But if thought corrupts language, language can also corrupt thought.” “Being in a minority, even in a minority of one, did not make you mad. There was truth and there was untruth, and if you clung to the truth even against the whole world, you were not mad.” “Confession is not betrayal. What you say or do doesn't matter; only feelings matter. If they could make me stop loving you-that would be the real betrayal.” “Power is in tearing human minds to pieces and putting them together again in new shapes of your own choosing.” "But you could not have pure love or pure lust nowadays. No emotion was pure, because everything was mixed up with fear and hatred."

The most important aspect of 1984 is Thought Police, which controls every thought. It has been featured in numerous books, plays, music pieces, poetry, and anything that has been created when one had to deal with Social Science and Politics. Another factor that represents culmination is thinking about overthrowing the system or trying to organize a resistance movement. It has numerous reflections of the post WW2 world. Although the novella is graphic and quite intense, it portrays dictatorship and is driven by fear through the lens of its characters.

This essay topic is often used when writing about “The Big Brother” or totalitarian regimes, which makes 1984 a flexible topic that can be taken as the foundation. Even if you have to write about the use of fear by the political regimes, knowing the facts about this novel will help you to provide an example.

1. Enteen, G. M. (1984). George Orwell And the Theory of Totalitarianism: A 1984 Retrospective. The Journal of General Education, 36(3), 206-215. (https://www.jstor.org/stable/27797000) 2. Hughes, I. (2021). 1984. Literary Cultures, 4(2). (https://journals.ntu.ac.uk/index.php/litc/article/view/340) 3. Patai, D. (1982). Gamesmanship and Androcentrism in Orwell's 1984. PMLA, 97(5), 856-870. (https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/pmla/article/abs/gamesmanship-and-androcentrism-in-orwells-1984/F1B026BE9D97EE0114E248AA733B189D) 4. Paden, R. (1984). Surveillance and Torture: Foucault and Orwell on the Methods of Discipline. Social Theory and Practice, 10(3), 261-271. (https://www.pdcnet.org/soctheorpract/content/soctheorpract_1984_0010_0003_0261_0272) 5. Tyner, J. A. (2004). Self and space, resistance and discipline: a Foucauldian reading of George Orwell's 1984. Social & Cultural Geography, 5(1), 129-149. (https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/1464936032000137966) 6. Kellner, D. (1990). From 1984 to one-dimensional man: Critical reflections on Orwell and Marcuse. Current Perspectives in Social Theory, 10, 223-52. (https://pages.gseis.ucla.edu/faculty/kellner/essays/from1984toonedimensional.pdf) 7. Samuelson, P. (1984). Good legal writing: of Orwell and window panes. U. Pitt. L. Rev., 46, 149. (https://heinonline.org/HOL/LandingPage?handle=hein.journals/upitt46&div=13&id=&page=) 8. Fadaee, E. (2011). Translation techniques of figures of speech: A case study of George Orwell's" 1984 and Animal Farm. Journal of English and Literature, 2(8), 174-181. (https://academicjournals.org/article/article1379427897_Fadaee.pdf) 9. Patai, D. (1984, January). Orwell's despair, Burdekin's hope: Gender and power in dystopia. In Women's Studies International Forum (Vol. 7, No. 2, pp. 85-95). Pergamon. (https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/0277539584900621) 10. Cole, M. B. (2022). The Desperate Radicalism of Orwell’s 1984: Power, Socialism, and Utopia in Dystopian Times. Political Research Quarterly, 10659129221083286. (https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/10659129221083286)

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1984 Essays

The reflection of george orwell crystal epps.

"On each landing, opposite the lift shaft, the poster with the enormous face gazed from the wall. It was one of those pictures which are so contrived that the eyes follow you about when you move. BIG BROTHER IS WATCHING YOU, the caption beneath it...

Totalitarian Collectivism in 1984, or, Big Brother Loves You Tiffany Shropshire

Following the political upheaval and struggle for power after the second world war, George Orwell's novel 1984 cautions against the dangers of oppression and exemplifies the consequential nightmarish world of the near future. The plot traces the...

Sex as Rebellion Joe Ward

The opening of Book Two of 1984, in which Winston meets Julia and begins the erotic affair he has so deeply desired, commences the main section of the novel and strikes an immediate contrast between the two lovers. Unlike Winston, Julia is neither...

Class Ties: The Dealings of Human Nature Depicted through Social Classes in 1984 Zachary Zill

In George Orwell's 1984, the differences and relationships between the proles, the Outer Party, and the Inner Party reflect different aspects of human nature and the various levels of the human psyche. The most base, savage level of humanity is...

1984: The Ultimate Parody of the Utopian World Anonymous

"When Thomas More wrote Utopia in 1515, he started a literary genre with lasting appeal for writers who wanted not only to satirize existing evils but to postulate the state, a kind of Golden Age in the face of reality" (Hewitt 127). Unlike a...

Class Conflict: Winston Smith in George Orwell's 1984 Sarah Standish

The title year of George Orwell's most famous novel is nineteen years past, but the dystopian vision it draws has retained its ability to grip readers with a haunting sense of foreboding about the future. At the heart of many of the issues touched...

Methods of Control in 1984 and Brave New World Anonymous

The difference between the methods of control in 1984 and BRAVE NEW WORLD is the difference between external control by force and internal control, enforced only by the citizen's own mind. While 1984's method has real-world precedent and seems...

Time in Modernist Literature Nathan Ragolia

Perception of time represents a major motif in modernist literature. Many works address the subjectivity of our experiences, including how we process and consider the passage of time. Due to the modernist and post-modernist emphasis on style and...

The Impossibility of Redemption for Winston Smith in 1984 Timothy Sexton

In George Orwell's 1984, Winston Smith cannot escape the state's domination. Yet his inability is not only because of government power. Rather, even if he did have an opportunity to leave Oceania, his actions indicate that he would not have the...

Selfishness and Survival in The Handmaid’s Tale and 1984 Soh Li Yin

Are Winston, Julia and Offred eventually made into ‘reluctantly-selfish’ victims of totalitarian regimes or are they innately ‘pragmatically-selfish’ beings? Discuss in relation to The Handmaid’s Tale and 1984.

Offred and Winston, the main...

Power and Emotion in Orwell’s 1984 Anonymous

“How does one man assert his power over another, Winston?” O’Brien asks. Winston’s answer: “By making him suffer” (214). These two characters inhabit George Orwell’s vision of a future totalitarian government that has evolved to its most...

Imagery of Totalitarianism in Nineteen Eighty-Four Elizabeth Marcil 11th Grade

In the novel Nineteen Eighty-Four, Orwell uses several literary techniques to develop the theme that totalitarianism is destructive. He does so by using extensive imagery, focusing on the deterioration of the Victory Mansions, the canteen where...

Pursuit of Truth in 1984 Anonymous College

Contemporary political discourse often references George Orwell’s 1984 as an example of how government interference infringes on our rights as individuals while we remain complacent in the face of these violations. For example, the falsification...

Victorian, Romantic and Modernist Literature: Style as Cultural Commentary Anonymous College

Tony Harrison’s “A Cold Coming,” William Wordsworth’s “Lines Composed a Few Miles Above Tintern Abbey,” Emily Bronte’s Wuthering Heights and George Orwell’s 1984 each display distinct sensibilities that reflect the time from which they emerged....

The Currency of Power in 1984 Katherine Knapp College

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Orwell's Language: Thought Control Tom Armstrong College

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The Freedom to Be Dominated: A Historical Comparison of 1984 to Communist Russia Anonymous 11th Grade

A government of an ideal society is meant to represent the people. It is the people’s choice to support, to select, and to seize government. The idea of open communication is employed as a way for people to choose the best representative. With the...

Models of Rebellion in 1984 and V for Vendetta Joseph Latorcai 12th Grade

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Freud's Impact on 1984 Anonymous College

In his treatise Civilization and Its Discontents , Freud makes an interesting statement about advanced society. He argues that “the price of progress in civilization is paid in forfeiting happiness through the heightening of the sense of guilt,” to...

O’Brien’s Moral Dehumanization: Villainy in "1984" Dylan Kostadinov 10th Grade

“Nobody is a villain in their own story. We're all the heroes of our own stories.” According to George R.R. Martin, an estimable American novelist, an individual's perspective ultimately decides whether he views himself as a protagonist and deems...

Rebellion Across Media: Analyzing "1984" and "Metropolis" Joonhwy Kwon 12th Grade

George Orwell’s 1984 (1949) is a cautionary novel which explores a dystopian society mired in propaganda and totalitarianism. Similarly, director Fritz Lang’s Metropolis (1927) is a critique of a futuristic world where growth and industralisation...

Totalitarian Techniques in 1984 and Red Azalea Anonymous 10th Grade

In order for one to exist in a totalitarian society whose government is successful in its control, one must deal on a day-to-day basis with strong persuasion and propaganda. These totalitarian societies have an iron grip on their people, leaving...

Humanity's Fear: A Comparison of 1984 and Metropolis Anonymous 12th Grade

The fear of a dystopian future that is explored in both Fritz Lang’s film Metropolis and George Orwell’s novel Nineteen Eighty Four is reflective of the values of the societies at the time and the context of the authors. As authors are considered...

The Feminist Lens: Sexism in Dystopian Literature Anonymous 12th Grade

“O, brave new world!” John joyfully proclaims after being told he will have the chance to live in the World State with Bernard and Lenina (Huxley 93). Upon first reading dystopian literature, one might feel much like John, assuming a more...

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1984 By George Orwell Analysis Research Paper Example

Type of paper: Research Paper

Topic: Books , Government , Literature , Love , Women , World , George Orwell , Party

Words: 2500

Published: 12/23/2019

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1984 - The Women, the Party, and Identity

In George Orwell's Nineteen Eighty-Four, one of literature's most potent and well-known dystopian futures is realized. The Party, a dictatorship that controls every aspect of the world called Oceania, keeps its people in line through the use of surveillance, strict rules about society and behavior, and huge gaps in class and income. Big Brother, the so-called leader of the Party, is always watching - as a result, people are less inclined to rebel or step out of line. Sexuality is repressed, as is religion and free thought. In the midst of all this, Winston Smith wishes to rebel against Big Brother, and does so with the help of his lover, Julia. The world of Nineteen Eighty-Four is populated by characters who constantly have to weigh themselves or examine themselves against the rule of The Party, which shows the desire for individual thought against a society that forbids it.

The effects of totalitarianism on an individual is shown the most through the eyes of the main character, Winston Smith. Working for the Outer Party, he works for Minitrue, the Ministry of Truth, in charge of rewriting newspaper articles from the past in order to fit into the manufactured news and stories The Party provides the people. This is done to keep the people further in line - people are lied to in order to believe that this oppression is being done for their own good; this speaks to the treatment the middle-class receives from a government that wants to show their goodness (Resch, 1997). As a result, Smith is made complicit in his own reinvention of history and identity - by virtue of his job, he has to lie to himself and to others. He knows the truth of history, since he sees the articles before he has to change them. However, in changing them, he reforms his own history and the history of others (Sanderson, 2010). This is one of the effects of totalitarianism on an individual - it makes one think that the regime has been there the whole time, and is your friend (Pittcock, 1997).

Despite this oppression and revisionism, Winston is an individual. He constantly strives to fight back against his unmaking, trying to strike out as a person whenever he can. By having so much trouble standing out on his own against The Party, the reader can see just how difficult it is to get out from under their thumb. Instead of remaining docile and thankful for Big Brother's many gifts, Winston just wants to strike out on his own and demand his life back. Winston often reflects on his position in long monologues throughout the book, demonstrating that he remembers the past even if his job makes sure that no one else does (Resch, 1997). By attempting to understand the position he is in, and why The Party would take such steps to control people so absolutely, the reader gets to understand just how confusing and desperate totalitarianism can make a person (Pittcock, 1997).

In order to fight back against The Party, Winston does many acts of vandalism and rebellion over the course of the book. This shows the willingness of the individual to fight back against a system that suppresses him. He writes "DOWN WITH BIG BROTHER" in his own diary, expressing in real terms just how much he hates the government - a powerful image that shows the start of protest (Varricchio, 1999). He engages in a love affair that is not allowed, and he also joins the Brotherhood, an anti-Party movement. These efforts are taken both to free others from the oppression of Big Brother, but to prove that the government does not own him. However, Winston's own depression and paranoia is what does him in; while he wants to succeed in defeating Big Brother, he is constantly afraid or certain that he will be caught and killed. This is the totalitarian regime's effect on him; even those who really want to change the world are not fully convinced they can do it (Pittcock, 1997). This is how The Party maintains control - by taking away an individuals' ability to feel like they have the power to change their surroundings (Varricchio, 1999).

The totalitarian regime also has dramatic effects on the ability of an individual to love. The dystopian future of The Party is seen through the eyes of Winston Smith and his lover, the seemingly-prim Julia. Julia is at once attracted to and repulsed by Winston, attempting to find personhood in a very male-dominated state that controls her sexuality (Tirohl, 2010). She is a member of the Junior Anti-Sex League who begins a secret affair with Winston Smith, something that is expressly forbidden by Big Brother.

Julia's role in Nineteen Eighty-Four is that of a romantic foil for Winston; her virginal nature makes her a delicate flower that must be protected. As Julia is a member of the Junior Anti-Sex League, she is thought of as unapproachable and out of Winston's league. Winston, in fact, fantasizes about forcing her to have sex with him, and killing her, due to her apparent fanaticism about how she does about her duties. The Junior Anti-Sex League, a group enforcing chastity and abstinence in the individuals of the world of Oceania, is just a cover for Julia to express her own sense of sexuality, becoming promiscuous and sleeping with many men, including Party members, as a way of rebelling in her own right against the prudish Party (Tirohl, 2010).

While Winston hates her at first for being such an open pawn of the Party, she begins to show her own dissent to Winston when she leaves him a note that states I LOVE YOU, something that turns Winston around for her. However, Julia finds herself to be strong and pragmatic when she propositions Winston, and shows herself to be far from the sexless creature that Winston assumes. As soon as they meet up, they engage in one of the most profoundly intimate acts that can exist between two human beings: sexual intercourse. Through this act of intimacy, the protagonists try to shake off the influence of The Party, both by actively rebelling against the rules and engaging in a relationship that they have no part of. The Party wishes to involve themselves in all aspects of a person's life, but for those moments when they have sex around London during their first few meetings, The Party does not exist (Tirohl, 2010). Even when they are about to be arrested, Julia states that stopping their love is "the one thing they can't dothey can't get inside you" (Orwell, Chapter 7).

Julia is a much stronger creature than she is given credit for; Julia is a self-sustaining woman, embracing her sexuality and the way in which it messes with the system that has been set up. "When you make love you're using up energy; and afterwards you feel happy and don't give a damn for anything. They can't bear you to feel like that. They want you to be bursting with energy all the time." (Orwell, Book 2, Chapter 3). In the man's world of the Party, the male authority figures seek to dehumanize and deny women's place of importance as anything other than wives (Tirohl, 2010).

In Nineteen Eighty-Four, even Winston, under the philosophy of the regime, believes that Julia "had become a physical necessity, something that he not only wanted but felt he had the right to" (Orwell, Chapter 2). It is not just Julia that has this problem; Winston's mother has interesting parallels in terms of their relationship and meaning to the main character. Winston's mother experiences quick changes after the loss of Winston's father - his mother "seemed to have become completely spiritless. It was evident even to Winston that she was waiting for something that she knew must happen (Orwell, Book 2, Chapter 7)". The ability of a totalitarian regime to destroy one's sense of purpose and love in order to control them is a pervasive theme in the book, and one which Winston's mother in particular sums up.

Despite the rebellious nature of Winston and Julia, their rebellion is in fact just what the party wanted. As a totalitarian regime, they need an outside enemy to galvanize the people and unite them in order to do whatever The Party wants them to do - in this case, it becomes clear that Winston is a pawn in their game. It is very interesting that Winston shares the same name as Prime Minister Winston Churchill - the world of The Party can be seen to be a treatise on post-war Britain and its effects on the individual (Pittcock, 1997). O'Brien, the leader of the resistance, draws him in with the promise of making his efforts mean more by joining with the Brotherhood in a group. However, this all turns out to be a trick to draw out resistance members, and Winston is arrested. One wonders what O'Brien's motivation is to fake a rebellion to feed the Party's control - when Winston states that "They've got you too!" O'Brien states that 'They got me a long time ago" (Orwell, Book 3, Chapter 1). It seems as though he once felt like Winston, but soon abandoned his own desire to resist because of pressures Big Brother placed on him.

This helplessness also affects Winston's family and friends. Winston, the man in Julia's life, is responsible for her destruction. Julia is directly betrayed by Winston, who begs them to "do it to Julia!" when he is being tortured. Upon meeting her again, knowing that he betrayed her, Julia recounts the mindset that they both have to live with regarding their mutual betrayal of each other - "And perhaps you might pretend, afterwards, that it was only a trick and that you just said it to make them stop and didn’t really mean it. But that isn’t true. At the time when it happens you do mean it. You think there’s no other way of saving yourself and you’re quite ready to save yourself that way. You want it to happen to the other person. You don’t give a damn what they suffer. All you care about is yourself." (Orwell, Book 3, Chapter 6).

The men and women in Nineteen Eighty-Four represent both the oppressive nature of the situations the main characters find themselves in, and the broken promise of love everlasting torn apart by the direct actions of the characters. Winston's mother falls into depression while Julia, Winston's revolutionary lover, is broken similarly by Winston's betrayal of her to the Party. These women are ravaged by male-centric worlds that have no mercy upon them, and yet they find ways to make themselves known and respected in their brief time. In this way, the regime affects both man and woman in very similar and quite different ways. Totalitarianism robs men of their manhood, and women of their womanhood - instead, all become selfish, cowardly pawns of the system.

The effects of The Party on the individual does not extend merely to the main characters of Nineteen Eighty-Four - the minor characters, in playing their part, have already been crushed and are doing the bidding of those who wish to strip away their freedoms. At one point in the book, Winston remembers a trio of former Party members, named Jones, Aaronson and Rutherford, who were the original rebellion leaders before he knew what Big Brother even was. They were widely reported in the media to have confessed to conspiring against The Party with foreign nations, but he saw them after their confessions with broken noses - this was the first clue that The Party had coerced them into confessing. Later, Winston sees evidence in his newspaper articles that proves to him that their confessions were false. This is the first bit of evidence for Winston that The Party is extremely cruel and capricious.

Winston's colleague in the Records Department, Ampleforth, disappears one day and is placed in prison - this is done because he allowed the word "God" to remain in his rewritten version of a poem by Rudyard Kipling. Ampleforth is shown to be very rebellious and free-thinking; through his respect for poetry, The Party hates him and punishes him; this demonstrates the hatred of The Party towards anything that would give people hope or faith in something outside The Party itself. Winston's home life is also affected dramatically by The Party; his wife, Katharine, is emotionally distant, and he "can't get rid of" her. She makes love with Winston only because she has a "duty to the Party," another way that The Party controls her sexuality in a way that it cannot with Julia.

In conclusion, Nineteen Eighty-Four shows the specific and many ways in which totalitarianism can fight against or crush individualism. Winston Smith is tasked with erasing the history that does not fall in line with what people are meant to believe. Nonetheless, he makes often-feeble attempts to stand apart and make himself known as an individual. However, those attempts are often small, fleeting, useless or fatalistic - Winston seems to always believe his mission will end in failure. His love for Julia, a strong character in her own right, is what helps him to "stay human." However, O'Brien, a shadow of himself, manages to break down Winston into that same pawn of the government, giving up Julia and destroying his love and humanity to boot. These aspects of the book are what make the tale of a dystopian future so interesting: not just seeing how the world works, but how it affects the people. The fight for individualism is eventually crushed by a pervasive system that is allowed by the people to do whatever it wants for its own sake. Without rebellion, and without love, we are nothing - Winston, Julia, O'Brien and the other characters in this book show us that.

Works Cited

Orwell, George. 1984. Secker and Warburg, 1949. Print. Pittock, Malcolm. "The Hell of Nineteen Eighty-Four." Essays in Criticism vol. 47, no. 2. April 1997. Print. Resche, Robert P. "Utopia, Dystopia, and the Middle Class in George Orwell's Nineteen Eighty-Four." Boundary 2, vol. 24, no. 1, pp. 137-176. Spring 1997. Print. Sanderson, Richard K. "The Two Narrators and Happy Ending of Nineteen Eighty-Four." Modern Fiction Studies, vol. 34, no. 4, pp. 587-595. Winter 1988. Print. Tirohl, Blu. "We are the dead / You are the dead': An Examination of Sexuality as a Weapon of Revolt in Orwell's Nineteen Eighty-Four. Journal of Gender Studies vol. 9, no. 2, pp. 55- 61. 2000. Print. Varricchio, Mario. "Power of Images/Images of Power in Brave New World and Nineteen Eighty-Four." Utopian Studies vol. 10, no. 1, pp. 98-114. 1999. Print.

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How To Write an Essay About George Orwell's 1984

Understanding the context and themes of 1984.

When setting out to write an essay about George Orwell's "1984," it's crucial to first grasp the novel's historical and literary context. Published in 1949, "1984" is a dystopian novel that paints a chilling picture of a totalitarian regime. In your introduction, outline the key themes of the novel: the dangers of totalitarianism, the manipulation of truth, and the erosion of individuality. It's important to contextualize these themes within the post-World War II era during which Orwell was writing, as well as considering their continued relevance in today's society. This foundational understanding will inform your exploration of the novel's complex narrative and thematic structure.

Analyzing Orwell's Characters and Narrative Techniques

The body of your essay should delve into a detailed analysis of the novel's characters and narrative techniques. Focus on the protagonist, Winston Smith, and his journey of rebellion and subsequent downfall. Examine Orwell's portrayal of the Party, particularly the character of Big Brother, and the ways in which it exercises control over individuals. Discuss the novel's key symbols, such as telescreens, Newspeak, and the concept of doublethink, and how they contribute to its overall message. Analyze Orwell's use of language and narrative style, considering how these elements enhance the novel's themes and its impact on readers. Use specific examples and quotes from the text to support your analysis, ensuring each paragraph contributes to a comprehensive understanding of Orwell's vision.

Contextualizing 1984 in the Broader Literary Landscape

In this section, place "1984" within the broader context of dystopian literature and its historical background. Discuss how the novel reflects the anxieties of its time, including fears of fascism and communism, and how these concerns are woven into the fabric of the narrative. Consider the influences on Orwell's writing, such as his experiences during the Spanish Civil War and his observations of Stalinist Russia. Additionally, reflect on the novel's impact on later literature and culture, including its influence on the genre of dystopian fiction and its relevance in contemporary discussions about surveillance, privacy, and political power.

Concluding Reflections on 1984

Conclude your essay by summarizing the key points of your analysis, emphasizing the enduring significance of "1984" in both literary and socio-political contexts. Reflect on the novel's warning about the dangers of totalitarianism and the importance of preserving individual freedoms. Consider the novel's relevance in today's world, particularly in light of current technological and political developments. A strong conclusion will not only provide closure to your essay but also underscore the novel's ongoing relevance, encouraging readers to continue contemplating Orwell's warnings and insights in relation to contemporary society.

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1984 by George Orwell Essay

Social impact, doublespeak in our current social setting, position of citizens, works cited.

In his 1984 writing, Orwell (p.10) indicates how the societies fight to archive utopianism. There are high hopes that the current settings of the twenty-first century and the predictable future of governance will be sustainable and responsible especially on issues of cultural identity and preservation.

As predicted in ‘1984’ by Orwell (p.10), the current major threat to humanity is lack of enough support for local uniqueness and distinctiveness. People have not yet embraced the need for cultural enrichment in their day-today lifestyles. According to him (p.2), the future holds possibilities for more personal, meaningful and understandable relationship or the need to understand the social cultural settings in a better way. Utopia destiny is a collection of ideas for a sustainable future.

Orwell (p.12), sparks ideas that are more creative and that inspire ambitions for better lifestyles and techniques of governance. Human lifestyle will need less governance by rules and more enhancement of behaviour, unlike the past when people did not exhibit thoughts. This is well depicted from the character of Watson who was an official, whose role was diminished by the totalitarian rule at airstrip one. The situation at England forces Watson to confine personal thoughts to private writings, away from the telescreen (Orwell, p.3).

Most of current work-tools such as the television, surveillance webcams, cell phones and listening appliances relate to the telescreen due to easy manipulation and ability to preach propaganda. These unnecessary political wrangles make officials to behave in a definite and similar manner of thoughts and actions. The type of governance in his writing tries to limit information from publicity, just like the current government. The public in certainly not sure of the way government officials utilize fund allocations.

The government often conceal the required transparency, and citizens never know what the head of state does every day due to limited form of communication. There is however some improvements due to the media freedom thus the reason why we are able to know majority of the details that can affect governance such a good example was the Lewinsky-Clinton incident in the white house.

Recording of thought by state officials such as Watson was a critical crime according to 1984 by Orwell (p.2). Comparatively, the officials fail to reveal information, because they are in accord with reasons and service to the “Big Brother” who in this case is the government Orwell (p.19). The twenty first century government want similar situations where those involved stand in accord with one objective.

Revealing of career-disparaging information is also questionable in majority of the current government systems. There is a close connection between the behaviours of 1984 governance and the current one, since people have to follow defined procedures. They are possibly not as harsh as those of the twenty-first century are but when we break laws, the consequences for our actions are still unsympathetic.

The restrictions as shown in the 1984 by Orwell (p.37), indicates that people were restricted to speaking in the workforce since this would be social interactions. Social interaction is also a prohibited practice in majority of the workforce today. The workplace is not a social situate but a work setting. We can consider the way of life from Orwell writing as despicably over-harshness, but it is very similar to how we act today. Order and efficiency requirement for are common to all social settings.

One of the key reasons why earlier and current governance styles find it necessary to engage doublespeak, is because it is a natural way of realizing slavery into the systems and where total surveillance in put into practice.

As Orwell (p.4), puts it, the character Watson works for the government as a propaganda asset whose task is to alter information in support of government actions or claims and still believe in the truth of those claims. Today people still respond instinctively with a similar concept or logic of doublespeak.

Doublespeak is not a confine in the text of Orwell, but is an evident part of our society as well. Good examples include our government fight for peace. U.S. government engagement in war with Iraq on March 19 th 2003, due to the assertion by the Bush Administration that Iraq was in violation of some U.N. Security Councils Resolutions among them being in possession of weapons of mass destruction seem ridiculous (Bush, p.1) .

It is not possible to fight in order to enhance peace. Fighting stands in the way of peace and therefore current peacekeeping forces resembles the classical use of doublespeak where Orwell (p.4), bring in the name of ministry of peace in the writing. Arguably, today and future prospective consists of doublespeak in action rather than verbalize. Is our government really concern with the welfare of citizens through defence and need for peace, or is hiding the concept of invasion and attack in their undertakings?

Orwell (p.5) presents the patriot act in his writing where citizens are required to forsake freedom, which the government alleges to protect and freedom. The concept is outrageous and lacks meaning. Relinquishing basic human rights to gain freedom is doublespeak. The Orwell’s indication (p.4), that “War is peace, freedom is slavery and ignorance is strength” is total doublespeak.

Almost every religion preaches peace and prohibits violence. If our religious practices were for the love of neighbourliness, then it is doublespeak to consider a holy conflict.

Bush, George. “ Remarks on Iraq.” National Assembly, 2003. Web.

Orwell, George. “ 1984 .” New York, NY: Signet Classic Publishers. 1977. Web.

• Chicago (A-D)
• Chicago (N-B)

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Bibliography

IvyPanda . "1984 by George Orwell." March 26, 2024. https://ivypanda.com/essays/1984-by-george-orwell/.

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