Role of Power in 1984
In the novel 1984, written by George Orwell, the main character Winston Smith is oppressed by his government. This government, simply called either The Party or Big Brother, controls every aspect of Smith’s life. Smith has a simple mission in this novel: to revolt against Big Brother. In the novel 1984, Orwell uses the central theme of power to demonstrate many other messages in the novel. Orwell specifically focuses on the role of power in a totalitarian government, Winston’s point of view on power, and how every person tries to control their own life in their own unique way.
The antagonist in 1984 is undoubtedly Big Brother. The Party controls every aspect of every citizen’s life. ...
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due to the Party’s ‘Thought Police’ who monitored the thoughts of the peoples.
The Party is absolutely dominant. The daily ritual for all people to follow was this: Wake up, do a party controlled exercise (32), work (9), eat, work, go home, and go to a rec center (59). People belong to the collective, not the individual. The Party and Big Brother systematically and effectively brainwashed the people of Oceania to think and act for the benefit of the Party. Citizen’s had no distinguishing characteristics that would set them apart. For example, every Outer Party member was to wear a simple wardrobe of Blue Overalls. This allowed for the ultimate conformism. If everybody was acting the same, looking the same, feeling the same would likely follow. Orwell stresses this fact throughout the novel. He gives no glimmer of hope that Smith or any other character will lead to a revolt. He shows how powerful the Party is, and then shows what the Party can do with its power.
The Party also ...
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self is shattered memories. If the Party can destroy the identity of a person, they can make that person conform to whatever the Party says. Big Brother provides an identity that the population otherwise wouldn’t have. The Party’s cruel and oppressive manner is all that remains of the person’s identity, so that what is what they conform to. They abandon the little individual they have left because of the power exhorted upon them by the Party.
The Party is also using their power to slowly destroy words. Words are absolutely crucial to social interactions in every way. They display emotion, carry a special meaning, and are used as the ultimate form of self-expression. Syme, a friend of ...
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"Role of Power in 1984." Essayworld.com. March 17, 2011. Accessed December 23, 2024. http://www.essayworld.com/essays/Role-of-Power-in-1984/96248.
"Role of Power in 1984." Essayworld.com. March 17, 2011. Accessed December 23, 2024. http://www.essayworld.com/essays/Role-of-Power-in-1984/96248.
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