The terrors of a totalitarian government presented in George Orwell's 1984 apply not only to the Party, but also to the Stalinist Russia of the 1930's. Frightening similarities exist between these two bodies which both started out as forms of government, and then mutated into life-controlling political organizations which "subordinated all institutions and classes under one supreme power" (Buckler 924). Orwell shows how such a system can impose its will on the people through manipulation of media, constant supervision as aided by technology, and the threat of pain, both physical and mental. Orwell also shows how the state has more subtle methods for imposing its authority, such as the manipulation of language and propaganda as they are used to achieve the goal of absolute power for the system. A key parallel between the Party and Stalin's Communism is the use of technology and communication to control the economic, social, and personal aspects of life.…
In the course of my essay, I will attempt to clarify the meaning of totalitarianism, briefly analyze a dictatorial mind and its weapons; highlight a few historical as well as present-day examples of oligarchic governance and offer an in-depth analysis of the novel Animal Farm by George Orwell as well as the novel Nineteen Eighty Four by the same author while relating it to the topic of discussion. My personal opinion has also been included.…
Imagine living in a world where politics are everything and all forms of individuality and personal identities are shattered. A world where everybody is stripped of their rights to talk, act, think, or even form their own opinions, simply because they do not agree with the government’s beliefs. These aspects are just a few of the examples of things dictators would have control over in a totalitarianism form of government. Aggressive leaders such as Hitler and Joseph Stalin are examples of such dictators. They used their power for terror and murder, and their motive is simply to maximize their own personal power. George Orwell had witnessed World War II, the fall of Hitler and Stalin’s dictatorships, and the fatal outcomes that have come from these governments. To warn future generations of the harsh effects of totalitarianism governments, he wrote the book Nineteen Eighty-Four. Published in 1946, Nineteen Eighty-Four describes life in a totalitarianism form of government, following the main character, Winston Smith, as he takes risks in discovering how he believes life should truly be. Literary critic Irving Howe states, “Were it possible, in the world of 1984, to show human character in anything resembling genuine freedom...it would not be the world of 1984” (62). In Orwell’s Nineteen Eighty-Four, the government uses its power to suppress individuality among the people.…
Through the use of Orwell’s and Lang’s intertextual connections of political reform and shared perspectives of dystopic societies it becomes apparent that the quote “The object of power is power” is strongly supported throughout the two texts. The meaning of this quote is also made abundantly clear within the texts as the dictatorship rulers within both texts acquire power simply to have power and authority, instead of for the good of the people. This features predominantly in both texts through their shared perspectives on dystopic settings made apparent by their use of symbolism. In Orwell’s ‘1984’ only 2% of the populace resides in the ‘Inner Party’ whilst the other 98% is suppressed within the lower classes in either the ‘Outer Party’ or the ‘Proles’. This totalitarian, power based society is made dystopic by the overwhelming power and control exhibited by the tyrant dictator ‘Big Brother’. This is emphasised through Orwell’s use of symbolism in O’Brien’s words as he says “If you want a picture of the future, imagine a boot stamping on a human face – for ever.” (pg 307) The symbolism between the boot and big brother, and the human face and society emphasises the suppressive nature of this totalitarianism rule, casting the society into dystopia. This also forms a contextual connection to Nazi…
The world sixty years ago as seen by George Orwell was a different place than the one we live in and experience today. Technology was quickly developing and become a part of daily life. Atomic warfare was still a new threat, and the aftershock of its use in World War II was still raw in everyone’s minds. Totalitarianism was seen as a social experiment of sorts, and not having yet experienced the Cold War, some of America’s great minds were still looking at these governments with an open mind. Orwell thought that society needed to be forewarned about both the possible and real dangers of these issues, so his manifesto, 1984, was his call for social change, his call to respect the dangers that technology, war, and totalitarianism introduced.…
Cited: Enteen, George M. "George Orwell and the Theory of Totalitarianism: A 1984 Retrospective." Journal of General Education 36.3 (n.d.): 206-15. Print.…
‘Everything not forbidden is compulsory’ as wrote by the 20th-century writer, T.H. White in his Arthurian novel, The Once and Future King, displaying the authoritative rule of many totalitarian governments. Totalitarianism has been a central theme in many notable dystopian novels such as Margaret Atwood’s, The Handmaid’s Tale, Ray Bradbury’s, Fahrenheit 451, and John Wyndham’s, The Chrysalids. Perhaps the reason why totalitarianism is featured heavily throughout literature is perhaps because these novels are acting as a warning to mankind and - in a world rife with political change - we would do well to heed their advice. Possibly the most powerful warnings ever issued about the danger of totalitarian governments can be found in George Orwell’s Nineteen Eighty-Four where the protagonist – Winston – despises the forced oppression of the Party on the otherwise oblivious citizens of Oceania, yet, by the climax of the novel Winston is punished for his disloyalty to Big Brother and is obliged to become the epitome of ignorance which he so strongly detested at the beginning of the…
“We can't be confined to one way of thinking, and that terrifies our leaders. It means we can't be controlled. And it means that no matter what they do, we will always cause trouble for them.” (Roth, 2012) Victoria Roth describes the way people act in a society, individuals are different from one another, and therefore have different beliefs, ideas, and thoughts. When a ruler comes into power, he wants to make the whole community think as he does, but the real problem comes when he abuses of his power to take control. In this way totalitarian governments and rulers have arose, and have intended to influence in the society to achieve their goals. A totalitarian leader controls the behavior and actions of its people in order to become powerful. In the novels, Brave New World by Aldous Huxley and 1984 by George Orwell, two futuristic dystopias are depicted. Both of them show totalitarian rule, where liberty has been deprived by different means of control. In Brave New World, the control of society is maintained through a peaceful way that consists in convincing people of loving their lack freedom. On the other side, in 1984, control is upheld by surveillance, the restriction of information, and torture. The absolute power of a totalitarian state leads to a total control of the society, causing it to be vapid, ignorant and oppressed.…
In order for there to be equality in a society there must be a balance between popular power and governmental power. It warns against corruption of not only the state, but also of the citizens. Worldly pleasures frequently change people’s principles. In the end, both worlds are identical, filled with abuses of power, propaganda, and disregard of previously held values. George Orwell wants the reader to analyze the abuses of power seen today. He advocates for an overthrowing of authoritarian leaders, but he also advocates for a moderate use of that newly gained power. Moderation is the key to creating a stable…
Repression is a very important issue in George Orwell’s novel 1984. The citizens can not follow their natural impulses because of Big Brother and the party fearing that if they did they would be a danger to their power. Overall Orwell was trying to prove that a totalitarian society does not work because there will always be someone that does not fit into the system and that a government can never fully take away a person's natural…
If the availability of the apartments were good and in a preferred location, this could have a direct effect on the increase in demand. When consumers look for a place to live the size of the home is crucial in their decision making as well of the economic conditions in the area. With the location, size and economic conditions all factoring into the decisions, the price of the apartments must be determined accordingly.…
In the Dystopian novels 1984 and Brave New World, George Orwell and Aldous Huxley create atmospheres that consist of their prediction of the future. “1984” and Brave New World contain totalitarian governments that encompass distorted views on the way societies should behave. Although the two leaders in the novels, Big Brother and His Fordship, carry out their regulations differently, the idea of how to control a society remains consistent. The key to maintain and establish a successful totalitarian society is through controlling the ideology toward personal relations and correctly using the advancement of technology for the “common good”.…
When Valentine woke up Hero was gone. She left a note on the coffee maker saying she had work early that morning and that she left some breakfast in the fridge for them and that coffee was ready. Valentine just needed to press start.…
Niccolo Machiavelli once said that "Since it is difficult to join them together, it is safer to be feared than to be loved when one of the two must be lacking." When it comes to the governance of human beings, communication and words outweigh violence. It is impossible to have one perfect society. There has yet to be a society in which there was not something wrong. Different attempts at a perfect society have come about but none has been proven to work without fault. Communism was a good thought but when put into action fails. Not far off from Communism comes the term Totalitarianism. A system of government where a class, group or party feel as though their authority has no bounds and strive to regulate every form of public or private life whatever way they see fit. Fighting in battles against totalitarian governments, such as the Nazi Party and the Soviet Union’s Joseph Stalin, was Eric Arthur Blair, better known as George Orwell. It is amongst the rise of dictators and the beginning of totalitarian societies that Orwell wrote and published the novel, 1984, a warning in disguise. Orwell’s predictions for what the future would look like if society continued its ways are seen through the eyes of Winston Smith. Winston’s life in the novel allows one to feel fear and concern toward Big Brother and his methods of power over civilization. Winston was able to experience dealing with three of Big Brother’s “tactics” of the government exploiting history, enforcing propaganda, and manipulating individuals’ thoughts at first hand. Winston lives in Oceania, a dystopia where the terrors of a totalitarian government are unavoidable. A totalitarian society is established through manipulation and control of one’s mind and body. It is maintained as a consequence of the threat of excessive abuse, propaganda, and force which can be seen in Winston’s everyday life.…
Main objectives of the research are to understand the market of consumer electronics, mainly Televisions, what are the different technologies in the market and response of people towards it. There are essentially three market sectors i.e. Low Income, Middle Class and High Income Sector and the behaviour of each sector is different from one another. The data was collected from a sample of 7-8 shops in each category via a questionnaire following which an in-depth analysis was conducted. However various figures in sales representations are estimate as the scope for the market research was limited. The research paper shows how the sales of televisions vary across the three sectors based on their types, size and brands. The paper also brings to light the response of people towards the conventional technologies like Ultra Slim TVs and newer technologies like LED TVs. This research study highlights the priorities of each sector through consumer behaviour. It shows the thought process of the consumer behind the purchase of a simple commodity, like a Television.…