1984 George Orwell APA

Abstract

In this paper I will be examining the novel 1984 by, George Orwell. The book takes place in the nation of Oceania. Living under strict government policies, all the characters seem to be very tedious, but digging deeper in depth into the novel it’s clear to realize why the civilians act in this practice.
The novel is an intense, unthinkable style to be subjected to live to coming from the conditions we are aware of today. Winston, the main character of the book tries to make sense of Oceania’s governments scheming ways, altering the resident’s mindset to welcome Big Brother’s policies. He wonders what the world outside of Oceania is like, free from the party, he often dreams of the Golden Country, lush green fields of freedom.

Entering Oceania

As the novel begins, Winston is sitting in front of a gigantic screen with his fellow town’s people as they watch their leader Big Brother on the screen, Big Brother gives a speech about Brotherhood, and his love for Oceania, he will protect them, capture and kill all of the soldiers of Eurasia. War is peace. Freedom is slavery. Ignorance is strength. These three phrases are recited throughout the population day in and day out to keep the people of Oceania “sane”. During their Two Minute Hate the community around Winston cries out and chants for the love of Brotherhood, while he sits, observing the people surrounding him, confused, realizing he isn’t like the rest of the public. Eventually, he chimes along with the chanting so the others will not be suspicious of thought-crime. The neighborhood has a tele screen in each home to keep the brothers and sisters of Oceania up to date on the war and supplies, while also being kept under surveillance at all times for any traders of Brotherhood. (Orwell, 1984)
Individuals or Collectivist? The characters live in a collectivist society. Winston is an individualist, he writes down his thoughts of his hatred for big brother in a diary that keeps behind a brick wall. He knows the society he lives in is not real but it too scared of the Party’s political power over him. Having one’s own thoughts that don’t involve their love for big brother in this paradoxical nation is considered a thought-crime. He realizes he’s a criminal of this from the beginning as he fantasizes of a world beyond of Oceania, breaking free from the government’s party, the Golden Country. Winston falls in love for another dark haired woman named Julia, she is much younger than him but has shares the hatred of Brotherhood as well. She sees how amiss Brotherhood is, she is an individualist and thought-criminal as well. (Orwell, 1984)

Psychological Disorders
The government of Oceania has taken complete mind control of its citizens, by keeping this power they stay in control over the people surviving there. The citizens of the nation seem to be delusional. History has been re-written and all documents before big brother have been destroyed, the adults have faint memory, if any at all of life without Big Brother, but Winston seems to remember differently than what they’ve been told. The residence of Oceania are compelled to attend the Two Minute Hate, chanting death, death, death, towards their enemy Eurasia. (Orwell, 1984)
Conditioning method From my point of view the government of Oceania uses both operant conditioning1 and classical conditioning2. The children have been classically conditioned from a young age by Big Brother to be Junior Spies, they examine adults for sings of betrayal towards Big Brother and denounce them to the Thought Police. An example from the book is, Mrs. Parson asks Winston to fix a plumbing problem in her apartment, where her children accuse Winston of thought-crime. As Mrs. Parson is scared of her own children, she dismisses their comment, and apologizes to him. The most obvious case of Operant conditioning would be towards the end of the novel. Winston and Julia are caught by the thought police, upstairs in a room Winston rented from Mr. Charrington, who turns out to be a spy for Big Brother. A helicopter bust through the call and several thought police get out and into the room. Julia and Winston are both beat and separated. Winston sits in a white, lit, room, waiting to be taken to room 101. A room filled with unimaginable horror. To his surprise O’Brien appears at the doorway and takes Winston to a room where he is held down strapped at both wrist and ankles. O’Brien explains to Winston that it is a crime to not love and abide by Big Brother, that Winston is insane but that claims he cure Winston with torture. After weeks of shocking torture Winston still hasn’t given up, motivated by his love for Julia. He strives for free will. But unfortunately after a admitting his hate for Big Brother to O’Brien, Winston is taken to room 101. In this room they make his worst nightmare a reality. A dark room with something terrible on the other side of the wall. O’Brien picks up two monstrous, cannibalistic rats. O’Brien ensures Winston that when the lever is pulled the rats will attack him and eat his face. Suddenly, on the other side of the cage Winston imagines Julia standing on the other side of the cage saying ‘I love you”. Winston at last cracks screaming take her, take her! Julia is the thought criminal! She’s the one you want! The scene breaks. (Orwell, 1984)
Socioeconomic class
The Inner party have privileges that the outer party don’t. They may temporarily turn off their telescreens, live in luxury homes, they have personal servants. Satisfying food to eat, fresh water and wine to drink. As well as take part in regulating the policies of Oceania.
The health and stress concerns are clearly over looked for the outer party. Winston has an ulcer above his right ankle, additionally suffering from a wheezing cough. The outsiders are established in dilapidated neighborhoods while being are spied on constantly by Big Brother, subjected to rations, essentially going on to starvation. They have accepted strict rules that only apply to their party. Also they must refrain from sex, unless it’s for procreative intent. Their only vices are cigarettes and victory Gin.