land of the free-1984 essay

A detailed Summary of land of the free-1984 essay

Our country, one of the most liberal around the globe, prides itself on the rights that each individual is granted upon birth. As citizens of the United States we often overlook the rare personal freedom that we are granted upon birth. As we turn the calendar onto another century we continue to grow in individuality, personal privacy, and the balance between self and government; or do we? As the calendar turns, so do the pages in scientific notebooks. Each and everyday a new discovery takes place, and just as Orwell predicted in his infamous novel 1984, the result is that our personal freedom has not only been threatened, but it may soon become non -existent.

The plot of 1984 is focused upon an average man, Winston, in a robotic like society. The citizens of this place, Oceania, a country made up of many present countries, are under constant surveillance by the party, their so-called government. The party must approve each and every thing they say and do, and if one chooses to disobey or rebel, like Winton, he will literally be erased off of the face of the earth. "Behind Winston's back the voice from the telescreen was still babbling away about pig iron and the over fulfillment of the Ninth Three-Year Plan. The telescreen recei

As cameras get smaller and technology becomes more advanced, personal freedom and privacy declines. Should we be scared? And what will become of our society if we continue along this same path? In 1984, Winston, the rebel, did not succeed at overcoming the party. They were too strong and too wise for just one man. Eventually they took over his mind and his life. He died. As Americans, most of us cannot picture life without personal freedom, for that is the very thing that we think sets us apart and makes red, white, and blue, so great. On the other hand, if we assume it will never happen, than the government and other powerful figures have an easier time controlling ill-prepared, naive minds. We must be aware of what surrounds us and what might become of a powerful government in the age of wires, miniatures, and antennas. We currently live in the land of the free, but for how long? It is the year 2001, but 1984 can still happen.

Another example of government control in 1984 is Newspeak. "There is a word in Newspeak,' said Syme. 'I don't know whether you know it: duckspeak, to quack like a duck. It is one of those interesting words that have two contradictory meanings. Applied to an opponent, it is abuse; applied to someone you agree with, it is praise (page 48)." Newspeak is the language that Winston's society is in the process of converting to. They tell the people what they can and cannot say. Here in the U.S., we have the freedom of speech, but on the other hand many peo

Some common words found in the essay are:
Three-Year Plan, Newspeak' Syme, United Government, , personal freedom, freedom speech, freedom speech hand, government watching, phone call, land free, speech hand, granted birth,

Approximate Word count = 1002
Approximate Pages = 4 (250 words per page double spaced)

Category: Novels