History and the Novel 1984

Totalitarianism is defined as a political system of government in which those in power have complete control and do not allow people to oppose them. Those in power are a single party dictatorship in which one party controls state, and all other parties are forbidden. Other important features that distinguish or help define totalitarianism include restricted or eliminated constitutional rights, state terrorism, and totalitarian rulers are known as ideological dictators. The government of Oceania, in the novel 1984, is an example of totalitarian society. Germany, under Adolf Hitler's National Socialism is another example of totalitarianism. Orwell's Oceania has both similarities and differences to the totalitarian states of the twentieth century. The government of Oceania is clearly a totalitarian state, which compares and contrasts with Hitler's National Socialism. The state, society, and daily life in Oceania present obvious characteristics of a totalitarian state. In Oceania society, privacy and freedom to not exist. Citizens of Oceania are constantly monitored by telescreens, and subjected to a constant barrage of propaganda. With telescreens in everyone's homes, it is very easy to broadcast the views and beliefs of The Party. Forms of propaganda include posters and slogans. In this society it is impossible to go anywhere without seeing a poster of Big Brother, reading slogans such as "BIG BROTHER IS WATCHING YOU" and "War is Peace…Freedom is Slavery…Ignorance is Strength." Communication among the citizens of Oceania is also another aspect controlled by the Inner Party. A form of communication called Newspeak is used in Oceania, which is a modified version of language that is enforced upon the people in order to limit their expression. These strict laws are set in Oceania, and must be followed; a group called by the people in Oceania. Therefore, when the governing system is not followed, Thought Police are used to prevent thoughts that oppose