1984 Essay

1984 ICE “War is peace, freedom is slavery, ignorance is strength” (Orwell 4). These three slogans depict the aim of the party in George Orwell’s dystopian novel, 1984. The development of the protagonist and tactics used by the party emphasize the author’s main purpose of the dangers of totalitarian government. Winston, a common man, struggles against the party’s control throughout the novel and his final downfall into the party’s power enhances the dangers of totalitarian government. In the beginning of the novel, Winston must hide is journal from the party. The common act of writing in a journal is an act of rebellion in the party’s eyes. Orwell establishes the oppression of individuality in the society to clarify the dangers of totalitarian government. Later, Winston thinks, “The birds sang, the proles sang, the party did not sing” (Orwell 221). This blunt statement shows Winston’s obvious dislike for the party. Orwell utilizes this statement to prove that Winston is very aware of the outrageous oppression the party creates to enhance the development of his character being brainwashed. The final line in the novel is “He loved Big Brother” (Orwell 298). Orwell establishes that Winston has been completely brainwashed by the party. The shocking development of the protagonist over the course of the novel ignites hopelessness in the reader to illustrate the dangers of totalitarian government. The tactics of constant warfare, monitoring behavior and the motives of the party clarify Orwell’s main theme of the novel. The party creates a constant war to base the society on hatred and fear and bring the population together. This tactic used proves that the party will do truly anything to maintain control. Orwell depicts the party’s true motives to further enhance the dangers of totalitarian government. Through the use of telescreens the party ridiculously monitors every citizen’s behavior. Authorities’ actions prove that they will take away joy and individuality simply to maintain power. The statement “the party seeks power entirely for its own sake” sums up the motives of the party. Orwell uses this blunt statement to clarify that the party will do anything to maintain control. This demonstrates the serious dangers of totalitarian government. George Orwell’s horrifying dystopia in the novel 1984 cautions the desire for power. Winston’s development throughout the novel and the horrible tactics used by the party establish the extreme dangers of totalitarian government.