George Orwell's Madness In 1984
The Method Behind the Madness
George Orwell's classic novel 1984 describes Winston Smith's struggles to overcome a haunting, oppressive dystopia. Throughout the novel, three themes continuously repeat: “War is Peace,” “Freedom is Slavery,” and “Ignorance is Strength.” These slogans are used in 1984 by the social elite to manipulate the masses of people living in the country of Oceania. In “Book Two, Chapter IX,” Winston Smith is introduced to a book called The Theory and Practice of Oligarchical Collectivism; it explains the paradoxes and why they are necessary to keep the hierarchical pyramid in balance in Oceania.
The first slogan, “War is Peace,” is introduced very early in the book. The Theory and Practice of Oligarchical Collectivism …show more content…
Oceania has been at war with other countries for such a long period of time, the citizens believe it is the pure image of freedom. “Winston could not definitely remember a time when his country had not been at war, but it was evident that there had been a fairly long interval of peace during his childhood, because one of his early memories was of an air raid, which appeared to take everyone by surprise” (Orwell 30). The Party makes sure to do anything necessary to maintain order in Oceania. The citizens of Oceania are victims of a unique form of slavery, they are unable to believe what they choose, thanks to The Party. One newspaper read, "Who controls the past...controls the future: who controls the present controls the past" (Orwell 204). By manipulating the past, present, and the future, the government remains above all others. From the beginning of the book, the reader is made known that “Big Brother is watching you” (Orwell 6). Each character in 1984 is given no privacy or personal life, thus creating a feeling of separation from the rest of society. Even relationships which are not chosen by the government are prohibited in such a world. The more ignorant the people are when it comes to the topic of natural human desires, the safer they will be. Each supports the importance of both personal and public freedoms, the great lengths society may go through for order, as well as a sense of alienation from the rest of the
George Orwell's classic novel 1984 describes Winston Smith's struggles to overcome a haunting, oppressive dystopia. Throughout the novel, three themes continuously repeat: “War is Peace,” “Freedom is Slavery,” and “Ignorance is Strength.” These slogans are used in 1984 by the social elite to manipulate the masses of people living in the country of Oceania. In “Book Two, Chapter IX,” Winston Smith is introduced to a book called The Theory and Practice of Oligarchical Collectivism; it explains the paradoxes and why they are necessary to keep the hierarchical pyramid in balance in Oceania.
The first slogan, “War is Peace,” is introduced very early in the book. The Theory and Practice of Oligarchical Collectivism …show more content…
Oceania has been at war with other countries for such a long period of time, the citizens believe it is the pure image of freedom. “Winston could not definitely remember a time when his country had not been at war, but it was evident that there had been a fairly long interval of peace during his childhood, because one of his early memories was of an air raid, which appeared to take everyone by surprise” (Orwell 30). The Party makes sure to do anything necessary to maintain order in Oceania. The citizens of Oceania are victims of a unique form of slavery, they are unable to believe what they choose, thanks to The Party. One newspaper read, "Who controls the past...controls the future: who controls the present controls the past" (Orwell 204). By manipulating the past, present, and the future, the government remains above all others. From the beginning of the book, the reader is made known that “Big Brother is watching you” (Orwell 6). Each character in 1984 is given no privacy or personal life, thus creating a feeling of separation from the rest of society. Even relationships which are not chosen by the government are prohibited in such a world. The more ignorant the people are when it comes to the topic of natural human desires, the safer they will be. Each supports the importance of both personal and public freedoms, the great lengths society may go through for order, as well as a sense of alienation from the rest of the