1984 By George Orwell

George Orwell’s book 1984 was not a prophecy but a warning to future generations that their basic rights and liberties as guaranteed by our constitution are both fragile and are worth protecting from the state (Big Brother). Our government uses media and threats of violence in order for the masses to volunteer to give their rights away in the guise of safety. Government manipulates the media and controls the history of the world because they are in control of the present and thus control the reality of the people. The world of 1984 has little or no rights; freedom of speech has been taken away because language has been taken away. Winston Smith and his comrades have no way to defend their rights living in the dystopia. Today we still have
There is a telescreen, or two-way television that can both transmit and record movements and voices. “The telescreen could be dimmed, but there was no way of shutting it off completely” (Orwell, p 2). In modern society citizens are also bombarded by media; whether it be television or the internet, it cannot be turned off completely. Governments are using current events involving violence to chip away at civil rights. “When Gov. Jerry Brown of California signed legislation last year banning concealed weapons on school campuses, the nation was in the midst of one of the worst spasms of gun violence at colleges in recent years. There were three such shootings, including one in Oregon that left 10 people dead, as the bill sat on Mr. Brown’s desk” (Adam
The recent shootings in San Bernardino California and Orlando Florida have propelled Governor Jerry Brown to sign “legislation that would impose new restrictions on assault weapons and regulate the sale of ammunition in California, cementing the state’s reputation for enacting some of the most stringent gun regulations in the country” (Adam Nagourney). Once citizens are disarmed they will have no way to defend the rights that our nation’s forefathers guaranteed Americans in the Constitution, other rights could eventually fall like dominos; taken. Freedom of speech and expression could be next. “Why is access to freedom of expression important? Freedom of expression is a fundamental human right. It also underpins most other rights and allows them to flourish. The right to speak one’s mind freely on important issues in society, access information and hold the powers that be to account, plays a vital role in the healthy development process of any society” (Index on censorship). Winston Smith works in the Ministry of Truth where the government controls the news, entertainment, education, and fine arts (Orwell, p 4). Big Brother is trying to erase the past by rewriting it as they go. The Ministry of Truth is also creating a new language, Newspeak that shrinks with each year. By eliminating words Big Brother is limiting