1984 and the Totalitarian Society
the system, demonstrating how he has been
surveillance is placed on the people, they
Living in a society
brainwashed by the Inner Party who enforces
learn to comply
expression is not, in any case, enjoyable. A
the system.
eventually begin to value it automatically. At
Totalitarian
society is a good example of
destruction of words... You haven't a real
the
such a society, because although it provides
appreciation for Newspeak, Winston... Don't
accused
control
for the people, it can deny them a
you see that the whole aim of Newspeak is to
thoughtcrime and is tortured, he finally
great deal of freedom to express themselves.
narrow the range of thought? In the end we
conforms to the general thoughts of Oceania.
The fictional society in George Orwell's 1984
shall make thougtcrime literally
"He had finally won the victory over himself.
also stands as a metaphor for a Totalitarian
because there will be no words in which to
He loved Big Brother. (p. 245)"
society.
express it. (p. 46)"
indicates that the inner party has done
with limited freedom of
Communication, personal beliefs,
"It's a
beautiful thing, the
impossible,
One can detect from
with their country and
end of the story, aft
by
the
er Winston is
Thought
Police
of
This quote
and individual loyalty to the government are
this quotation that the people of Oceania, as a
everything that was necessary
all controlled by the inner party which governs
group, have been brainwashed by the Inner
Winston's loyalty to the nation. Even Winston,
the people of Oceania in order to keep them
Party to use only Newspeak. Syme, for one,
who at one time was against his government,
from rebelling. Current society in America is
understands the purpose of it, and he still
has now been "fixed" to support it and love his
much more democratic.
It contrasts with
complies with the system because
he has
leader. The government of Oceania has gone
Orwell's
1984
been trained to do so.
The concept of
to great lengths to change Winston's mind,
society
of
because
communication, personal beliefs and the
Newspeak is designed to control
people's loyalty to the government
beliefs of the citizens by limiting their form of
are all
determined by the individual.
personal
and as always, they have gotten what they
desire.
expression as Syme explains. But when the
In order to keep the people of Oceania
to preserve
America in 1997 is
much different
governing system is not followed, Thought
from Orwell's 1984 because, for one, freedom
in conformity with the desires of the governing
Police are
of expression is
Inner Party, the Inner Party controls several
oppose the nation. "How often, or on what
American communication. In conversation as
aspects
system,
the Thought Police plugged in on
well as newspapers and magazines, a variety
Communication, for one, is controlled for the
any individual wire was guesswork. It was
of views and opinions are openly expressed.
benefit of the nation. Newspeak is a modified
even
watched
Censorship is not enforced to a high degree.
version of language that is enforced upon the
everybody all the time. (p. 6)" There is no
As an example, demonstrations and protests
people in order to limit their expression.
doubt that - through both Newspeak and
are
Syme and Winston, two middle-class workers
Thought Police - the system of government in
governmental policies; laws
in
1984 has adequately prevented the people
are often spoken out against in public. The
from thinking against
fact that these
of
Oceania,
the
discuss
people's
the
concept
lives.
of
Newspeak. Syme reveals that he supports
used to prevent thoughts that
conceivable
that
it.
they
When all this
often
held
a dominating factor in
which
counter
certain
or propositions
rebellious actions are not
punished by the government proves that the
The story of 1984 reflects a society
government of America is much more lenient
that totally contrasts
than that of 1984. The expression of such a
While Orwell's objective was primarily written
variety of beliefs comes from the freedom of
to exaggerate
individual beliefs. The thoughts and opinions
and other conditions of society surrounding
of the individual are not maintained by the
him, 1984 presents an important guide to life
government; the government does not have a
for modern Americans.
system
the
objective of learning American history is to
individual. This is why one commonly sees
ensure that we do not repeat our mistakes,
such a variety of beliefs and ideas spread in
1984 can give warnings to both government
advertisements
systems and individuals
to
control the
thoughts
of
and media. For instance,
the Totalitarian/Communist
leather or fur products in magazines and
vigorous control system
such, other advertisements often try
book stands as a method by which no
therefore contradicting the idea that animals
should be killed for human consumption. The
modern American
government fully allows
any given belief of the individual people. And
because our beliefs vary, our opinion of the
government can vary. While some people
support their nation, others defy it because
they have the independence to do so. NeoNazi skinheads traditionally wear an American
flag upside down on their clothing or burn the
flag. There is no policing that prevents people
from doing this because the government gives
them the freedom.
All in all,
modern
Americans have an extremely high level of
freedom regarding all forms of expression.
be
regarding how
society
suggest a more humane treatment of animals,
not
Just as a major
while there are often advertisements for meat,
to
should
with America today.
controlled.
The
presented in the
American would want to live.