Forms of Control: 1984
Warning, Love George Orwell.
George Orwell once said that “writing a novel is agony”; however as excruciating as it may have been for him to write it (probably since he was so ill at the time), 1984 stands to be one of the greatest examples of dystopian literature read today. It is a strong novel that draws on concepts like totalitarianism, class and caste systems, rebellion and many other concepts that seem far off from the society that exists today. On the contrary, Orwell himself states that this story can be perceived as a “warning” on how society will evolve from a simple one to a more complex one. From beginning to end, subtle signs are embedded to forebode the arrival of destructive ideas. One idea in specific is the introduction of new forms of control to watch over the masses. There is a variety of mediums used throughout the story, ranging from technological control to linguistic moderation to war and propaganda. The three that are most apparent in 1984 and the most relatable to the current era are the notions of surveillance, linguistic control and propaganda. What seems like a fictional plotline is actually valid in modern society is so accurately predicted that it is almost frightening.
One of the first few, and often repeated, forms of control in the novel is surveillance. Surveillance is really just close observation, with a focus on suspected criminals or planned situations. However the issue at hand lies in the limits that surveillance ignores, like the freedom to privacy, which is constantly stomped on throughout the novel and in many cases seen today. The example of surveillance in the novel can be illustrated with the use of various techniques like telescreens, the thoughtpolice and junior spies. Telescreens are described as a multipurpose technology; they combine the use and functions of a camera and a television. The main function of this was so Big Brother (the dictator of Oceania, the country) could monitor and control the thoughts and
George Orwell once said that “writing a novel is agony”; however as excruciating as it may have been for him to write it (probably since he was so ill at the time), 1984 stands to be one of the greatest examples of dystopian literature read today. It is a strong novel that draws on concepts like totalitarianism, class and caste systems, rebellion and many other concepts that seem far off from the society that exists today. On the contrary, Orwell himself states that this story can be perceived as a “warning” on how society will evolve from a simple one to a more complex one. From beginning to end, subtle signs are embedded to forebode the arrival of destructive ideas. One idea in specific is the introduction of new forms of control to watch over the masses. There is a variety of mediums used throughout the story, ranging from technological control to linguistic moderation to war and propaganda. The three that are most apparent in 1984 and the most relatable to the current era are the notions of surveillance, linguistic control and propaganda. What seems like a fictional plotline is actually valid in modern society is so accurately predicted that it is almost frightening.
One of the first few, and often repeated, forms of control in the novel is surveillance. Surveillance is really just close observation, with a focus on suspected criminals or planned situations. However the issue at hand lies in the limits that surveillance ignores, like the freedom to privacy, which is constantly stomped on throughout the novel and in many cases seen today. The example of surveillance in the novel can be illustrated with the use of various techniques like telescreens, the thoughtpolice and junior spies. Telescreens are described as a multipurpose technology; they combine the use and functions of a camera and a television. The main function of this was so Big Brother (the dictator of Oceania, the country) could monitor and control the thoughts and
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