How Does George Orwell Use Satire In 1984
Ashton Taylor
Mr. McCarter
English 214-I01
December 1, 2014
Essay #3
Orwell’s satire shaping what a future could become
George Orwell’s 1984, depicts a time of totalitarian and communism rule. Where ever you are big brother is watching you. Winston, Orwell’s main character in the satirical novel is a man struggling with his true identity in this gloomy world. Orwell, constructing this novel after the ending of World War II writes a satirical story that is also a warning to what can become of the world. Throughout 1984, George Orwell uses satire in his writing through literary elements; theme, imagery, symbolism and irony.
1984, being written at a time where Stalin and Hitler were forces to be reckoned, many knew what could happen if these two ever trusted their way into power. Orwell uses satirical themes in his book to relate to what was going on at present time. Totalitarianism was something to be feared. In this novel where it was a complete totalitarianism society, Winston struggles with ‘Big Brother’ having complete control. “His pen had slid voluptuously over the smooth paper, printing in large neat capitals—DOWN WITH BIG BROTHER (18)”. The fight over ones true identity was also a theme that arose throughout the novel. Orwell mocks the ability for people to not become individuals …show more content…
and have their own mind, “What was worst of all was that be means of such organizations as the spies they were systematically turned into ungovernable little savages, and yet this produced in them to tendency whatever to rebel against the discipline of the party (24)”. Propaganda was another theme used in the novel that Orwell depicted. Throughout the novel you learn that the truth is only was the Party thinks it should be, what’s right and what is wrong is determined by a higher power, you believed and followed what the deemed fit. The author’s use of satire relating to the Soviets and Nazis is very blunt. Mocking how they follow and see only what they are told to, listening to one man’s every word, knowing that what they say is ‘absolute truth’.
Orwell, being a very clever man, experiencing many things throughout his life, took that information and always used that and at that time, present day issues to affect his writing. Irony was not lost in 1984, every turn of the page brought a moment of confusion for the reader when trying to understand some of the phrases presented. The whole bases of the society was, “War is Peace, Freedom is Slavery, and Ignorance is strength (4)”. The satire and irony within these statements is enough to wonder why people would ever believe this. During the time Orwell was writing this many lived by those statements. Stalin made people believe that be conquering and causing war it would create peace, their ignorance at the time was their best strength. Most people looking at the statements know that these are incorrect but during that time, these were statements that people did not even know they lived by.
The Ministry of Truth, an area where Winston worked, this was the sector that when the course of something changed they would erase any trace that it ever happened or existed. When Big Brother claimed at hate week that they were at work with Eastasia instead of Eurasia they were to change everything, so that the war with Eurasia never existed. Orwell writes this piece of irony so interestingly. Everyone in the society knew who they were at war with but once it had changed they never thought twice about it again. The author uses this satire going back to the statement ‘Ignorance is strength’. Winston, the main character throughout the novel, was a piece of irony himself. He, who loathed Big Brother, who wanted to join the brotherhood against them still followed them, and still was a part of the society. “As he mechanically shot his arms back and forth, wearing on his face the look of grim enjoyment which was considered proper during physical jerks (32)”. Even though he despised Big Brother at the time, he still did was he was told to do. Orwell uses satire to mock the people who could not find their true identity, they wanted out and hated the situation they were in, but fear, or whatever it was kept them there.
Orwell knew that if people did not stick up for what was right and figure out their true identity they would be going down a path of someone watching your every move.
In his novel, he uses symbolism to take his point to the next level. The biggest form of symbolism through the book is Big Brother. In the story, Big Brother takes on a frightening term, the ignorant of the society endeared him, “The little sandy-haired woman had flung herself forward over the back of the chair in front of her. What sounded like ‘My Savior!’ she extended her arms toward the screen. (16)”. Big Brother represented the figure that was always watching you, making sure that everything you did was
right.
A telescreen was another use of symbolism, it was not something to enjoy, it was something that you could rarely escape, unless high in the party. Even in the bathrooms there was a telescreen in your face. It was to show that if you did anything wrong we would find out. Even if you were not in front of the telescreen it could detect was you were talking about. Orwell also used Julia’s chastity belt as a form of satirical symbolism. This belt supposed to show that she was not having sex when in reality she has been with many men. “Of course. Hundreds of times— well scores of times, anyway (125)”. Orwell shows that even in the toughest of situations, and the strictness of rules about sex, people will do as they please or need. Emmanuel Goldstein was another form of symbolism that Orwell used in his novel to depict a man who was one worshipped by all to then retaliate and become the most hated man, even devoting a two minute hate session to him. This satire was used to show the readers that if this society was to prevail in their lives what would happen if they were stuck and wanted to rebel. They would be sentenced to death, become hated by all who followed the leader.
Throughout the whole story of 1984, Orwell was trying to show what could become of the world in the future if totalitarianism took over. He painted pictures for the readers of what life would be like with his imagery. “Outside, even through the shut window pane, the world looked cold. Down in the street little eddies of wind were whirling dust and torn paper into spirals, and though the sun was shining and the sky a harsh blue, there seemed to be no color in anything except the posters that were plastered everywhere (2)”. Orwell uses harsh and gloomy imagery to depict the nature of the society, to show the dark place the story takes place. This satire reflects what could come of society. When a person looks out from their flat and all they would see is a dark, gloomy place and the only color reflected would be the posters of the leader plastered all over the town. Dark imagery is a pattern in 1984, when Winston tells Julia of how he first felt about her he states “‘I hated the sight of you,’ he said. ‘I wanted to rape you and then murder you afterwards. Two weeks ago I thought seriously of smashing your head in with a cobblestone. If you really want to know, I imagined that you had something to do with the Though Police.’ (120-21)”. The author shows that people are so afraid of becoming themselves and feeling that they have mixed hatred feelings that they themselves cannot comprehend. He is using this satire to show that people are not becoming individuals, they are once again following what they are told to do because they are afraid of the repercussions of even their own thoughts.
Not all of Orwell’s imagery used in the novel is gloomy. At the end of the novel when Winston had come out of the Ministry of Love, tortured for no one knows how long he has become a changed man. He is now one who loves Big Brother and appreciates his society. While in the Chestnut Tree Winston has a flashback to time with his mother. “He saw a candlelit room with a vast white-counter paned bed, himself, a boy of nine or ten, sitting on the floor, shaking a dice box and laughing excitedly. His mother was sitting opposite him and also laughing (295)”. This occurs after Winston was brainwashed into loving Big Brother, he now looks at the memory as a false one that never occurred. This satire shows that eventually you will be looking back not believing the good memories ever existed, the reader who he foreshadowed could end in this situation would not be able to look back and enjoy the good memories because they would have been taught that they are lies.
The novel of 1984 George Orwell wanted to show what would become of societies if a totalitarianism government was to take over. Although in the novel, Winston, the ‘hero’ ends up being tortured and brainwashed into loving the totalitarianism government, not questioning anything that Big Brother would do or has done, so in this sad case dictatorship won. Orwell wanted to send a message to his readers stance to stand up for themselves and the beliefs that they felt. He didn’t want people to be ignorant to the issues at hand and the society that they lived him, he wanted them to be smart and to be strong enough to defend themselves. Orwell’s satire spills out through the book relating everything that happens to Winston and in Oceania could very well be an issue that society would have faced. From the themes of a totalitarianism society, to the struggle for people to find their identity in a world that is governed by Big Brother. Irony throughout the book shown in characters, in the three main phrases of the book and in the different ministries they all show relations to what was going on directly in society while Orwell was writing this novel. The symbolism that Orwell uses is strong and has a very direct meaning for each symbol used in the novel. Unfortunately Orwell died soon after the book was finished and he never saw the impact it had. But the overall message of Orwell satirical novel not wanting to be the future was very well heard.
Works Cited:
Orwell, George, Thomas Pynchon, and Miguel Temprano García. 1984. Barcelona: Debolsillo, 2013. Print.
Woodcock, George. "George Orwell (British Author)." Encyclopedia Britannica Online. Encyclopedia Britannica, 4 Nov. 2014. Web. 09 Dec. 2014.
Lyons, John O. "George Orwells Opaque Glass in "1984"" Wisconsin Studies in Contemporary Literature 2.3 (1961): 39-46. JSTOR. Web. 09 Dec. 2014.
Lyons, John O. "George Orwells Opaque Glass in "1984"" Wisconsin Studies in Contemporary Literature 2.3 (1961): 39-46. JSTOR. Web. 09 Dec. 2014.
Orwell, George. "George Orwell’s Letter on Why He Wrote ‘1984’." The Daily Beast. Newsweek/Daily Beast, 12 Aug. 2013. Web. 09 Dec. 2014.
"1984." By George Orwell. Search EText, Read Online, Study, Discuss. N.p., n.d. Web. 09 Dec. 2014.
Mr. McCarter
English 214-I01
December 1, 2014
Essay #3
Orwell’s satire shaping what a future could become
George Orwell’s 1984, depicts a time of totalitarian and communism rule. Where ever you are big brother is watching you. Winston, Orwell’s main character in the satirical novel is a man struggling with his true identity in this gloomy world. Orwell, constructing this novel after the ending of World War II writes a satirical story that is also a warning to what can become of the world. Throughout 1984, George Orwell uses satire in his writing through literary elements; theme, imagery, symbolism and irony.
1984, being written at a time where Stalin and Hitler were forces to be reckoned, many knew what could happen if these two ever trusted their way into power. Orwell uses satirical themes in his book to relate to what was going on at present time. Totalitarianism was something to be feared. In this novel where it was a complete totalitarianism society, Winston struggles with ‘Big Brother’ having complete control. “His pen had slid voluptuously over the smooth paper, printing in large neat capitals—DOWN WITH BIG BROTHER (18)”. The fight over ones true identity was also a theme that arose throughout the novel. Orwell mocks the ability for people to not become individuals …show more content…
and have their own mind, “What was worst of all was that be means of such organizations as the spies they were systematically turned into ungovernable little savages, and yet this produced in them to tendency whatever to rebel against the discipline of the party (24)”. Propaganda was another theme used in the novel that Orwell depicted. Throughout the novel you learn that the truth is only was the Party thinks it should be, what’s right and what is wrong is determined by a higher power, you believed and followed what the deemed fit. The author’s use of satire relating to the Soviets and Nazis is very blunt. Mocking how they follow and see only what they are told to, listening to one man’s every word, knowing that what they say is ‘absolute truth’.
Orwell, being a very clever man, experiencing many things throughout his life, took that information and always used that and at that time, present day issues to affect his writing. Irony was not lost in 1984, every turn of the page brought a moment of confusion for the reader when trying to understand some of the phrases presented. The whole bases of the society was, “War is Peace, Freedom is Slavery, and Ignorance is strength (4)”. The satire and irony within these statements is enough to wonder why people would ever believe this. During the time Orwell was writing this many lived by those statements. Stalin made people believe that be conquering and causing war it would create peace, their ignorance at the time was their best strength. Most people looking at the statements know that these are incorrect but during that time, these were statements that people did not even know they lived by.
The Ministry of Truth, an area where Winston worked, this was the sector that when the course of something changed they would erase any trace that it ever happened or existed. When Big Brother claimed at hate week that they were at work with Eastasia instead of Eurasia they were to change everything, so that the war with Eurasia never existed. Orwell writes this piece of irony so interestingly. Everyone in the society knew who they were at war with but once it had changed they never thought twice about it again. The author uses this satire going back to the statement ‘Ignorance is strength’. Winston, the main character throughout the novel, was a piece of irony himself. He, who loathed Big Brother, who wanted to join the brotherhood against them still followed them, and still was a part of the society. “As he mechanically shot his arms back and forth, wearing on his face the look of grim enjoyment which was considered proper during physical jerks (32)”. Even though he despised Big Brother at the time, he still did was he was told to do. Orwell uses satire to mock the people who could not find their true identity, they wanted out and hated the situation they were in, but fear, or whatever it was kept them there.
Orwell knew that if people did not stick up for what was right and figure out their true identity they would be going down a path of someone watching your every move.
In his novel, he uses symbolism to take his point to the next level. The biggest form of symbolism through the book is Big Brother. In the story, Big Brother takes on a frightening term, the ignorant of the society endeared him, “The little sandy-haired woman had flung herself forward over the back of the chair in front of her. What sounded like ‘My Savior!’ she extended her arms toward the screen. (16)”. Big Brother represented the figure that was always watching you, making sure that everything you did was
right.
A telescreen was another use of symbolism, it was not something to enjoy, it was something that you could rarely escape, unless high in the party. Even in the bathrooms there was a telescreen in your face. It was to show that if you did anything wrong we would find out. Even if you were not in front of the telescreen it could detect was you were talking about. Orwell also used Julia’s chastity belt as a form of satirical symbolism. This belt supposed to show that she was not having sex when in reality she has been with many men. “Of course. Hundreds of times— well scores of times, anyway (125)”. Orwell shows that even in the toughest of situations, and the strictness of rules about sex, people will do as they please or need. Emmanuel Goldstein was another form of symbolism that Orwell used in his novel to depict a man who was one worshipped by all to then retaliate and become the most hated man, even devoting a two minute hate session to him. This satire was used to show the readers that if this society was to prevail in their lives what would happen if they were stuck and wanted to rebel. They would be sentenced to death, become hated by all who followed the leader.
Throughout the whole story of 1984, Orwell was trying to show what could become of the world in the future if totalitarianism took over. He painted pictures for the readers of what life would be like with his imagery. “Outside, even through the shut window pane, the world looked cold. Down in the street little eddies of wind were whirling dust and torn paper into spirals, and though the sun was shining and the sky a harsh blue, there seemed to be no color in anything except the posters that were plastered everywhere (2)”. Orwell uses harsh and gloomy imagery to depict the nature of the society, to show the dark place the story takes place. This satire reflects what could come of society. When a person looks out from their flat and all they would see is a dark, gloomy place and the only color reflected would be the posters of the leader plastered all over the town. Dark imagery is a pattern in 1984, when Winston tells Julia of how he first felt about her he states “‘I hated the sight of you,’ he said. ‘I wanted to rape you and then murder you afterwards. Two weeks ago I thought seriously of smashing your head in with a cobblestone. If you really want to know, I imagined that you had something to do with the Though Police.’ (120-21)”. The author shows that people are so afraid of becoming themselves and feeling that they have mixed hatred feelings that they themselves cannot comprehend. He is using this satire to show that people are not becoming individuals, they are once again following what they are told to do because they are afraid of the repercussions of even their own thoughts.
Not all of Orwell’s imagery used in the novel is gloomy. At the end of the novel when Winston had come out of the Ministry of Love, tortured for no one knows how long he has become a changed man. He is now one who loves Big Brother and appreciates his society. While in the Chestnut Tree Winston has a flashback to time with his mother. “He saw a candlelit room with a vast white-counter paned bed, himself, a boy of nine or ten, sitting on the floor, shaking a dice box and laughing excitedly. His mother was sitting opposite him and also laughing (295)”. This occurs after Winston was brainwashed into loving Big Brother, he now looks at the memory as a false one that never occurred. This satire shows that eventually you will be looking back not believing the good memories ever existed, the reader who he foreshadowed could end in this situation would not be able to look back and enjoy the good memories because they would have been taught that they are lies.
The novel of 1984 George Orwell wanted to show what would become of societies if a totalitarianism government was to take over. Although in the novel, Winston, the ‘hero’ ends up being tortured and brainwashed into loving the totalitarianism government, not questioning anything that Big Brother would do or has done, so in this sad case dictatorship won. Orwell wanted to send a message to his readers stance to stand up for themselves and the beliefs that they felt. He didn’t want people to be ignorant to the issues at hand and the society that they lived him, he wanted them to be smart and to be strong enough to defend themselves. Orwell’s satire spills out through the book relating everything that happens to Winston and in Oceania could very well be an issue that society would have faced. From the themes of a totalitarianism society, to the struggle for people to find their identity in a world that is governed by Big Brother. Irony throughout the book shown in characters, in the three main phrases of the book and in the different ministries they all show relations to what was going on directly in society while Orwell was writing this novel. The symbolism that Orwell uses is strong and has a very direct meaning for each symbol used in the novel. Unfortunately Orwell died soon after the book was finished and he never saw the impact it had. But the overall message of Orwell satirical novel not wanting to be the future was very well heard.
Works Cited:
Orwell, George, Thomas Pynchon, and Miguel Temprano García. 1984. Barcelona: Debolsillo, 2013. Print.
Woodcock, George. "George Orwell (British Author)." Encyclopedia Britannica Online. Encyclopedia Britannica, 4 Nov. 2014. Web. 09 Dec. 2014.
Lyons, John O. "George Orwells Opaque Glass in "1984"" Wisconsin Studies in Contemporary Literature 2.3 (1961): 39-46. JSTOR. Web. 09 Dec. 2014.
Lyons, John O. "George Orwells Opaque Glass in "1984"" Wisconsin Studies in Contemporary Literature 2.3 (1961): 39-46. JSTOR. Web. 09 Dec. 2014.
Orwell, George. "George Orwell’s Letter on Why He Wrote ‘1984’." The Daily Beast. Newsweek/Daily Beast, 12 Aug. 2013. Web. 09 Dec. 2014.
"1984." By George Orwell. Search EText, Read Online, Study, Discuss. N.p., n.d. Web. 09 Dec. 2014.