1984 Analysis
1984, written by George Orwell, is a fictional account of a futuristic society controlled by the Inner Party, an elite minority of individuals dictating control over the lives of its citizens. This control is more than political. The world is divided into three superpowers constantly at war. Oceania is the country where the primary focus of the novel takes place. Big Brother is the mythical ruler of its government. The government exercises more than political control over its citizens. Its control is total, with the objective of destroying all personal freedom and free enterprise. The government restricts all social, economic, intellectual, and emotional aspects of society. The main character, Winston Smith, is a member of the Outer Party and a second class citizen. He is employed by the Ministry of Truth to fabricate lies about the history of his country, Oceania. He secretly rebels against Big Brother by writing in a diary and thereby becoming a Thoughtcriminal. Winston then has an affair with Julia, risking everything by speaking with her about his personal objection to Big Brother ideology. He becomes friendly with a person named O'Brien, whom he believes is part of the rebellious forces called the Brotherhood. In
"On each landing, opposite the lift shaft, the poster with the enormous face gazed from the wall. It was one of those pictures, which was so contrived that the eyes followed you about when you move. Big Brother Is Watching You, the caption beneath it ran." (p. 5) The conflict between individual freedom and too much control by the government is clearly illustrated by the notice that citizens are being spied upon. This warning, that everyone is being watched, is intentional and represents a display of power by the Party. The message strikes fear in the hearts of the citizens of the novel. Few individuals have the character to resist the oppression and those that do are crushed. The famous phrase "Big Brother Is Watching You" is even now recognizable by democratic societies as a forewarning against government control. Those words have delivered the message that Orwell intended in his novel; more government control means less individual freedom. The novel creates an example of conflict between individual freedom and government control. It demonstrates what can occur when the power exercised by a few (Inner Party) is used to control society. Winston fights back and is crushed in spirit. The government maintains a steady state of confusion by dictating what people should believe. This is a government that wants to control the thoughts of its citizens and must crush any resistance that threatens its power. History is distorted and the news is fabricated. Friendship and intimate relations are forbidden. Everyone feels alone because their movement in being watched by the symbolic head of government, Big Brother. Unfortunately, the novel doesn't appear to have a satisfactory conclusion. Winston Smith rebels against Big Brother, but is eventually arrested, convicted without a trial, and tortured into submission by O'Brien, a representative of the Inner Party. The theme of betrayal contributes to the overall hopelessness and emptiness of characters in the novel. It contributes to the stark possibility of what ultimately can occur in
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Approximate Word count = 1386
Approximate Pages = 6 (250 words per page double spaced)
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