Despotism In 1984 George Orwell
At the beginning of the novel Winston is obedient, he is trying to survive in his society, but all the while doubtful, questioning, and hateful towards Big Brother. He knew things weren't right, but didn't know why or how. He knew that he couldn't be the only one that hated the party, but felt as if he could never again connect to anyone in the world ever again to ask such a personal question. Winston only cares about two people in the world one of which is Julia, she is an engineer where Winston works, Winston hates Julia mainly because of the fact that he wants her but can’t have her. He is also afraid that she will turn him into the thought police. The other individual that Winston is intrigued by is O’Brien who is a boss which is much higher up than Winston’s
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position in the company but he sees O’Brien as intelligent.
One of the fundamental propositions provided by Orwell’s classic 1984 is the convoluted relationship between “oppression” and “repression”. His literary devices go into explicit detail in describing how such despotism affects the human apparatus, causing an organized chaos amongst society. Winston Smith is used as a living transition to display the influence of this societal pressure and how it’s usage of fear for controlling a population will ultimately veer back and result in the untimely disruption of an illusion of peace. Unlike the majority of his peers, Winston has become rather apprehensive towards his surroundings. Through his window, Winston has clear view of the four governing branches of the party. Every day, every moment he dare to peer outside, he is met by the glaring facade of these buildings. “War is Peace”, one calls, “Freedom is Slavery”, “Ignorance is Strength”. Perhaps it is this constant reminder of such brutal societal injustice that churns the recalcitrant spark in his belly to a fully fledged fire. He begins to realize that he is oppressed, and as a result, commencing a feeling of disdain for his repression. His lack of understanding for
both his intense hatred and lascivious desire for his female co-worker (later revealed to be Julia) and irresistible psychological yearning for O’Brien only further his need for intellectual and sexual release. While the sexual release would come later, his opportunity for that of an intellectual nature was brought by the emotional canvas that is his diary. His usage of the diary is the first primary event to Winston’s mental coming of age. He begins to view the book as purely pulchritudinous, this alluring creature of his inner desire for impassioned exemption. The act of keeping a diary in Oceania is punishable by a minimum of 25 years in a forced labor camp, if not a threat of the death penalty. Winston finds the irony in this and takes to writing in the one spot in his household that is not held under the watchful eyes of the telescreen; the alcove.
As Winston continues to record his thoughts in the diary, he comes to this state of political enlightenment. His sense of what is right and what is wrong strengthens. He begins to loosen the blindfold of the regurgitated propaganda lashed out by the Parties, sophisticated in his passion for freedom. The diary opens the mental doors to the rooms where he had already held his doubts. Winston was thrilled by this act of rebellion, thrilled by his fear of the thought police and his fascination with Julia and O’Brien. Even before he wrote “DOWN WITH BIG BROTHER” Winston was fully conscious of his imminent fate. Just by withholding the diary he was committing thought crime. He is entirely aware of the painful death that will follow. Writing down those words merely sealed his fate. This is how Winston changed. His newly cognizant view of the world did not take away his fear, it simply blinded it by his growing humanity.
position in the company but he sees O’Brien as intelligent.
One of the fundamental propositions provided by Orwell’s classic 1984 is the convoluted relationship between “oppression” and “repression”. His literary devices go into explicit detail in describing how such despotism affects the human apparatus, causing an organized chaos amongst society. Winston Smith is used as a living transition to display the influence of this societal pressure and how it’s usage of fear for controlling a population will ultimately veer back and result in the untimely disruption of an illusion of peace. Unlike the majority of his peers, Winston has become rather apprehensive towards his surroundings. Through his window, Winston has clear view of the four governing branches of the party. Every day, every moment he dare to peer outside, he is met by the glaring facade of these buildings. “War is Peace”, one calls, “Freedom is Slavery”, “Ignorance is Strength”. Perhaps it is this constant reminder of such brutal societal injustice that churns the recalcitrant spark in his belly to a fully fledged fire. He begins to realize that he is oppressed, and as a result, commencing a feeling of disdain for his repression. His lack of understanding for
both his intense hatred and lascivious desire for his female co-worker (later revealed to be Julia) and irresistible psychological yearning for O’Brien only further his need for intellectual and sexual release. While the sexual release would come later, his opportunity for that of an intellectual nature was brought by the emotional canvas that is his diary. His usage of the diary is the first primary event to Winston’s mental coming of age. He begins to view the book as purely pulchritudinous, this alluring creature of his inner desire for impassioned exemption. The act of keeping a diary in Oceania is punishable by a minimum of 25 years in a forced labor camp, if not a threat of the death penalty. Winston finds the irony in this and takes to writing in the one spot in his household that is not held under the watchful eyes of the telescreen; the alcove.
As Winston continues to record his thoughts in the diary, he comes to this state of political enlightenment. His sense of what is right and what is wrong strengthens. He begins to loosen the blindfold of the regurgitated propaganda lashed out by the Parties, sophisticated in his passion for freedom. The diary opens the mental doors to the rooms where he had already held his doubts. Winston was thrilled by this act of rebellion, thrilled by his fear of the thought police and his fascination with Julia and O’Brien. Even before he wrote “DOWN WITH BIG BROTHER” Winston was fully conscious of his imminent fate. Just by withholding the diary he was committing thought crime. He is entirely aware of the painful death that will follow. Writing down those words merely sealed his fate. This is how Winston changed. His newly cognizant view of the world did not take away his fear, it simply blinded it by his growing humanity.