1984- George Orwell ; Oceania is a State of Dystopia

Oceania is a State of Dystopia In George Orwell’s 1984, the citizens of Oceania are forced to endure life in a dystopic state. Life is brutal and anything but merry. One constantly feels anxious as the threat of torture or death is always near, if one was to break one of the Party rules. For characters like Winston and Julia, who are against Big Brother and who realize the true extent of their horrible lives, life is unbearable. Exploitation, corruption, and dehumanization are evident in the city of Oceania as consequences of a city of dystopia.
One characteristic feature of a dystopic setting is exploitation. Initially, often children are examples of exploitation as they have been brainwashed, or trained, into convicting members of a crime, even if it may be their own parents. Exploitation involves someone or something being used for the benefit of another. In this case, the children are used as unofficial Thought Police to carry out the Party’s wishes of catching anybody going against the government. For example, when Winston helps his neighbour with their plumbing, the child is aggressive towards him, convinced that he is a spy or a criminal. Additionally, the citizens are exploited. The citizens are trained to believe anything that the Party tells them to believe. The Party uses the citizens’ own ignorance to keep life the way it is, as members of the Party live well and free of this harmful dystopia. For example, the citizens’ diet consists of cheap, virtual food, unlike the Party members who are able to indulge in real, delicious food. This unpleasant life is everything the citizens have ever known and therefore they are easy victims of exploitation by the Party. Furthermore, the citizens of Oceania are exploited by the government through their jobs and workplace. They carry out work, which has no stimulation, all for the benefit of the Party. For example, Winston works in the Records Department within the Ministry of Truth. He is in charge of rewriting history’s past, when Big Brother get it “wrong.” The purpose of the Records Department is to protect the image of Big Brother and all that he stands for. Exploitation is a serious consequence of a dystopic setting.
Dehumanization is another characteristic of a dystopic state. Firstly, the citizens of Oceania are treated like numbers on a list, rather than people with emotions and souls. They must work in ministries with robotic jobs. In Winston’s case, he is in charge of changing history, one job and no other. Furthermore, one should never have to feel anxious and on edge at all times. But, in Oceania, there is always the threat of death or torture if one even dares to think about going against the Party. Because of this constant fear, the citizens are disciplined to live how the Party wants them to; with no personal relationships or close associations with anybody but themselves. Moreover, humans are mammals, capable of original thoughts and taking charge of their own lives. But, in Oceania, the freedom to think for oneself is strictly forbidden. Being able to have a mind of one’s own is what makes one unique and special in the world. That is what makes an individual truly individual. Once that privilege is stripped away, there is no human left, but more a body simply breathing. The dystopic setting in 1984 dehumanizes the citizens and causes them to always live in fear.
Another consequence of life in a dystopic setting is corruption. This bending of the truth is everywhere, including in the ideas put forth by the Party. For example, “Freedom is Slavery,” and “War is Peace,” the slogans of the Inner Party are dishonest. The Party demonstrates the complete control that it has over the citizens of Oceania by convincing them that their slogans are true and right, even though they appear contradictory. Secondly, the citizens of Oceania are corrupted themselves. They have been brainwashed by the authorities to love Big Brother and hate Emmanuel Goldstein, the supposed enemy of Big Brother. This is not so much ironic as twisted due to the fact that Big Brother and his instigators in Oceania are the ones to blame for their lives. But, because they have been trained from birth to wholly worship Big Brother, they don’t possess the ability to recognize that connection. Lastly, the government's actions are fraudulent. Unlike today’s, democratic system of government, the totalitarian state is deeply corrupted. One would think that a government is supposed to care for people and their rights, but in the novel, it seems like the complete opposite. The government is seen more as a threat to its people rather than a provider. This is especially the way Winston views the Party. Clearly, corruption is displayed in all aspects of the novel; through the ideas portrayed, the citizens of Oceania, and the Party of government. Exploitation, dehumanization, and corruption are all three negative consequences of a society submerged in dystopia. Although these issues are present even in today’s world, they are not always apparent and as clearly expressed as they are in Oceania. The citizens are forced to live within these terrible conditions, under oppression by the government. A dystopic setting, mainly constructed by the Inner Party, sets the painful mood for this novel. Overall, we should be grateful that unlike characters such as Winston and Julia, our imperfect society is one far from a complete dystopia.