Free Essays on 1984

pop1984 vs. Brave New World By: Laura F In Orwell’s Nineteen Eighty-Four and Huxley’s Brave New World, the authoritative figures strive for freedom, peace, and stability for all, to develop a utopian society. The Utopian society strives for a perfect state of well-being for all persons in the community, and over-emphasizes this factor, where no person is exposed to the reality of the world. As each novel progresses we see that neither society possesses family values nor attempts to practice them. Neither are passionate nor creative in factors such as love, language, history and literature. Our society today, in general, is unsure about the future: The nightmare of total organization has emerged from the safe, remote future and is now awaiting us, just around the next corner. It follows inexorably from having so many people. This quotes represents Watts’ fear for the future; George Orwell and Aldous Huxley both explore the future state of civilization in their novels. They both warn us of the dangers of a totalitarian society. Both books express a utopian ideal, examine characters that are forced into this state and are compelled to dealing with this society and all the rules involved. The impracticality of the utopian ideal is explored in Orwell’s Nineteen Eighty-Four and Huxley’s Brave New World. Both authors suggest that a lack of familial bonds, the repression of human individuality, and the repression of artistic and creative endeavors in order to attain a stable environment renders the achievement of a perfect state unrealistic. The lack of familial bonds, in both novels, contributes to the development of a dystopian society. This lack of familial bonds is evident through genetic engineering, the use of names, and a commonly used drug, soma. One of the first mentionings of family in Brave New World is when the main character, Bernard, asks the Controller, the ultimate leader, about the past and why their society doe... Free Essays on 1984 Free Essays on 1984 George Orwell’s 1984: Good Totalitarian Government 1984 is a book about George Orwell’s deepest darkest fear of a government with control over very aspect of society, including people’s thoughts and total control over their lives. I argue that Totalitarian government is shown as a positive government through the novel 1984. In 1984 George Orwell portrays a character named Big Brother, who is in total control of his country Oceania. One way Orwell portrays positive totalitarian government through Big Brother is that there are posters of Big Brother throughout the city of London. These Posters are a positive image of a positive leader. These posters of Big Brother are used throughout the novel to make sure that the citizens can actually see the face of their leader; in a positive way. Another way Big Brother represents positive totalitarian government is the fact that sice the citizens have to make no decisions. They have to make no decisions, so all stress and anxiety over decision making is removed from their lives, th is makes their lives relatively easy. Finally the fact that Big Brother controls everything means that there is no crime, because no citizen can think of committing a crime. â€Å"Totalitarianism is a modern autocratic government in which the state involves itself in all facets of society, including the daily life of its citizens. A totalitarian government seeks to control not only all economic and political matters but the attitudes, values, and beliefs of its population, erasing the distinction between state and society. The citizen’s duty to the state becomes the primary concern of the community, and the goal of the state is the replacement of existing society with a perfect society† (Columbia Encyclopedia/Totalitarianism). In 1984 there are posters of Big Brother posted up everywhere, so that Big Brother can be portrayed in a positive way. In chapter one as the character Winston smith is first intr... Free Essays on 1984 pop1984 vs. Brave New World By: Laura F In Orwell’s Nineteen Eighty-Four and Huxley’s Brave New World, the authoritative figures strive for freedom, peace, and stability for all, to develop a utopian society. The Utopian society strives for a perfect state of well-being for all persons in the community, and over-emphasizes this factor, where no person is exposed to the reality of the world. As each novel progresses we see that neither society possesses family values nor attempts to practice them. Neither are passionate nor creative in factors such as love, language, history and literature. Our society today, in general, is unsure about the future: The nightmare of total organization has emerged from the safe, remote future and is now awaiting us, just around the next corner. It follows inexorably from having so many people. This quotes represents Watts’ fear for the future; George Orwell and Aldous Huxley both explore the future state of civilization in their novels. They both warn us of the dangers of a totalitarian society. Both books express a utopian ideal, examine characters that are forced into this state and are compelled to dealing with this society and all the rules involved. The impracticality of the utopian ideal is explored in Orwell’s Nineteen Eighty-Four and Huxley’s Brave New World. Both authors suggest that a lack of familial bonds, the repression of human individuality, and the repression of artistic and creative endeavors in order to attain a stable environment renders the achievement of a perfect state unrealistic. The lack of familial bonds, in both novels, contributes to the development of a dystopian society. This lack of familial bonds is evident through genetic engineering, the use of names, and a commonly used drug, soma. One of the first mentionings of family in Brave New World is when the main character, Bernard, asks the Controller, the ultimate leader, about the past and why their society doe... Free Essays on 1984 1984 by George Orwell (1903 - 1950) Type of Work: Futuristic, cautionary novel Setting London, in the mythical country of Oceania; 1984 (in the future) Principal Characters Winston Smith, a rebel against society Julia, his lover Mr. Charrington, an elderly antique shop owner O'Brien, the only member of the Inner Party Winston trusts Story Overview As Winston Smith entered his apartment building, he passed a familiar poster. "It was one of those pictures which are so contrived that the eyes follow you about when you move. BIG BROTHER IS WATCHING YOU, the caption beneath it ran." Then Winston opened the door to his flat to be greeted by a voice on his "telescreen" - a device he could dim, but never shut off completely. Telescreens broadcasted government propaganda and served as the eyes and ears of the Thought Police, who scrutinized everyone for any possible deviation from acceptable thought or action. In the flat was a tiny alcove just out of sight from the telescreen's vision. Winston sat down to write in his diary, an act that was not officially illegal "but if detected it was reasonably certain that it would be punished by death . . . " While he sat writing, a recent memory stirred in his mind; the "Two Minutes Hate," a government-sponsored work break in which every worker at the Ministry of Truth was required to participate, had consisted that day of an interlude when everyone raged and screamed as the telescreen alternately flashed images of enemy Eurasian soldiers and Goldstein, an abhorred traitor. That morning, Winston had noticed a "bold-looking girl of about twenty-six" who worked in the Fiction Department. This particular girl - wearing the bright scarlet sash of the official anti-sex league - gave him "the impression of being more dangerous than most," and Winston had that unnerving feeling that she was watching him. A few days later, Winston walked through the working-class "prole" neighborhood to the... Free Essays on 1984 In 1948 Eric Blair, better known as George Orwell, wrote a book with chilling insights into the future, 1984. This book did quite a number on the literate world. People who have read this book have had mixed reactions, from fear to hatred of our governmental system. However, 1984 came and went, and no signs of the tales told in the book were realized by the mass- population. There is no Ingsoc, there are no helicopters looking into windows. Most people have written this book off as a good science fiction work. However, this book should NOT be written off, for it has been realized, and is far worse and more subtle than Orwell could ever have imagined. Modern technology is great, however in the wrong hands it can be a dangerous weapon of mass destruction, and worse yet, mass control. In 1984 Orwell showed a world in which the people are under the control of the government through surveillance. Thought Police watch the people through telescreens, microphones and helicopters. Many people do not believe this will come true because they do not see it happening. However, if you look at the current state of technology you will easily see that it is being used, and that it is easier than ever. Many private companies are using these systems to watch both their property and their employees. Surveillance devices have become so small that it is now possible to make a camera and a microphone fit into a very small hole in the wall. Some companies are selling cameras disguised as smoke detectors. Police admittedly use small microphones as 'wires' to get confessions in undercover operations. It is entirely conceivable that the government could be watching us now. Perhaps, though only on a small scale. The "Internet" is the newest buzz word running around, and with it comes new controversies over online surveillance. The people watching probably would not go directly into your account, that would be as illegal as entering your private... Free Essays on 1984 Is Big Brother watching you too? Ever Since George Orwell wrote the novel, 1984, an ominous prediction of the world’s future, people have been finding that his novel is not as far-fetched as it seemed. It is a society controlled by â€Å"Big Brother† and the Party, who know and watch all. The lack of privacy these days is making us feel like we should be hiding like the Winston: By sitting in the alcove, and keeping well back, Winston was able to remain outside the range of the telescreen, so far as sight went. He could be heard, of course, but so long as he stayed in his present position he could not be seen (9). Due to new technology, and new kinds of crime, the government and other organizations are coming up with more and more ways to watch people, very similar to the ideas in Orwell’s novel. One place where privacy is a rare occurrence is the Internet. People enter in personal data, such as their names, addresses, and credit card numbers, and this leads to more frauds than you can imagine. A lot of Internet companies have been scamming people and even selling off their personal information. Luckily, Congress and online privacy groups such as the Online Privacy Alliance are taking action. This year, the 106th Congress has passed over 200 new bills concerning privacy. (Meeks) Despite the reflection of â€Å"Big Brother,† there is actually a strong law that protects your personal information collected by the federal government. Not surprisingly, the federal government is the largest collector of personal information and you have the most to lose should government-maintained information be accessed in some way. The Privacy Act was passed in 1974, and has been added to many times since then to keep up with modern methods and technology. People can access any personal information about themselves that government agencies hold, such as educational, criminal, or medical records. However, just because we can ac... Free Essays on 1984 1984, by George Orwell, is a story of a man's struggle against a totalitarian government that controls the ideas and thoughts of its citizens. The major subject that Orwell puts across is quite obvious throughout the book. He wants to warn people what can happen when the government is given too much power. He wants to show how such governments can develop, and what methods they use to keep the people they are governing in their power. Communication, personal beliefs, and individual loyalty to the government are all controlled by the Inner Party which governs the people of Oceania in order to keep them from rebelling. They use advanced mind reading techniques to discover the thoughts of the people and punish those who show signs of rebellion against the government. The novel is supposed to be a prophetic story; however, it was somewhat wrong in predicting the date when this government will rein. Orwell uses description of technology to show how the government controlled its’ citizens. In the novel, televisions are in most homes and all over the streets. The use of telescreens is an important physical element. It watches citizens, gives war news, music, political speeches and messages from Big Brother. Orwell uses an omniscient character, Big Brother, to show how powerful the government is. Although he is seen on telescreens and his pictures glare out on huge posters that say â€Å"BIG BROTHER IS WATCHING YOU,† nobody actually sees him in person. This was used to let the people know that no matter where they go they could not escape the watching eyes of the controlling government. â€Å"Newspeak† is used to stress connections between language, thought and power. Orwell tells us that nobody will be able to commit unwanted acts or think bad thoughts because actions cannot exist without language to describe or define them. It includes words for everyday activities like eating, drinking, and working. It contains simple nouns and verbs wi... Free Essays on 1984 We are in a world of uncertainty and we can only guess and make predictions about what tomorrow will bring us. The book 1984 by George Orwell, was written in 1949 with his predictions about the future in 1984, thirty five years later. The part that interested me the most was where Orwell explains how we will no longer think on our own and that our thoughts and emotions would be controlled by the "thought police" for example. It was interesting to read about what a person thought in the past about today’s society and read how some of the predictions came true. Freedom was taken away from everyone, they did what they were told and they had to obey, or harsh punishments would take place. A question that Winston asked was "are you treated more like a human being?" (Pg. 77), And they were not treated like human beings it was as if they were like robots not even being able to think on their own, programmed to think and do what they do. Had this prediction that he had made come true? Or would it ever come true? No, is the answer to these question . To this very day we have freedom and have our own thoughts, could this ever happen in the future? I don’t think this will ever occur, we will not be controlled by others and have our original thoughts taken away. The "thought police" will never exist either, I say this because I don’t think there is a power high enough to make people ignore their thoughts or feelings. If this did ever happen this man would be so truly inhuman that mankind itself would destroy each other or die out of bor edom . "Never again will you be capable of ordinary human feeling. Everything will be dead inside you. Never again will you be capable of love, or friendship, or joy of living, or laughter, or curiosity, or courage, or integrity. You will be hallow. We shall squeeze you empty, and then we shall fill you with ourselves." (Pg. 211). What they were doing was dehumanizing man completely. Orwell might have thought... Free Essays on 1984 On a day in April in 1984, a man named Winston Smith comes home, to his apartment in a nearly condemed building. He is thirty-nine years old, it is painful for him to get up the stairs because he has a varicose ulcer above his right ankle. The elevator in his building is always out of service. As he climbs the staircase, he sees on each flight, a poster depicting an enormous face, below are the words â€Å"big brother is watchhing you.†. Winston is a low-level official in the Party. Winston is a member of the higher class, but his life is still under the conrol of the party. In his apartment there is telescreen, it displays random information that the party decides to give the public. Winston keeps his back to the screen, so as not to be seen, for they could be watching him at any moment, or maybe not. From a hidden drawer, winston pulls out a small diary. He found the diary in a store in the prole's district. Winston begins to write in his diary. He writes down about the film s he watched the night before. He looks down and realizes that he has written â€Å"down with big brother† over and over again in his diary. The next day winston opens the door, assuming that the thought police arrived to arrest him. He opens the door and see's that it is only Mrs. parsons, she needs help with the plumbing. Back in his apartment, winston remembers a dream in which a man’s voice’s said, â€Å"We shall meet in the place where there is no darkness.† That night he dreams of a place called the golden country, where the darkhaired girl, that he despises for her abstinence, takes off her clothes an act that destroys the whole Party. A high pitched whistle sounds from the telescreen, a signal that office workers must wake up. Winston thinks about oceania’s history with other countries in the world. According to official history, oceania has always been at war with Eurasia and in alliance with Eastasia. Winston knows that the records have been changed... Free Essays on 1984 1984, George Orwell, New American Library a division of Penguin Putnam inc., New York, New York, Copyright 1949, 272 pages, fiction. â€Å"Big Brother,† a symbol that represents the 1984 government in Oceania (what used to be England) has absolute power over its citizens, and even monitors thoughts. Winston Smith hates this and attempts rebellion with his love, Julia, and the Brotherhood, but is simply tricked by O’Brien, an inner party member. The book is divided into chapters, which tie into each other by continuing on previous chapters and advancing the plot. These chapters make up three books (book one, book two, and book three). Each book is a different section of the plot. There were not any pictures, but there were large bolded statements like â€Å"BIG BROTHER IS WATCHING YOU,† which were used in order to show the importance of these statements and the fear that they bring. I do not think that there should have been any pictures because it is easy to visualize with all of the description. The author wrote this book as a projection of what was going to occur in the future. He wanted to satire what was going on at the time with wars and to denounce communism as well. It is worthwhile because it would be fun to predict the future and make up obscene fantasies about what you think it could be like based on how things are at the present. The author is trying to make the points that sometimes governments take it too far with their power over its citizens, and also at the same time how easily people can be persuaded to believe many things. For instance, the inner party constantly changes Oceania’s state of peace by announcing â€Å"Oceania has always been at war with Eurasia and allies with Eastasia," while the next week they may announce the opposite, and the people believe whatever they say because of the concept the inner party created, called doublethink. I thought that this was funny that people could be brainwa... Free Essays on 1984 1984, by George Orwell, is a story of a man's struggle against a totalitarian government that controls the ideas and thoughts of its citizens. The major subject that Orwell puts across is quite obvious throughout the book. He wants to warn people what can happen when the government is given too much power. He wants to show how such governments can develop, and what methods they use to keep the people they are governing in their power. Communication, personal beliefs, and individual loyalty to the government are all controlled by the Inner Party which governs the people of Oceania in order to keep them from rebelling. They use advanced mind reading techniques to discover the thoughts of the people and punish those who show signs of rebellion against the government. The novel is supposed to be a prophetic story; however, it was somewhat wrong in predicting the date when this government will rein. Orwell uses description of technology to show how the government controlled its’ citizens. In the novel, televisions are in most homes and all over the streets. The use of telescreens is an important physical element. It watches citizens, gives war news, music, political speeches and messages from Big Brother. Orwell uses an omniscient character, Big Brother, to show how powerful the government is. Although he is seen on telescreens and his pictures glare out on huge posters that say â€Å"BIG BROTHER IS WATCHING YOU,† nobody actually sees him in person. This was used to let the people know that no matter where they go they could not escape the watching eyes of the controlling government. â€Å"Newspeak† is used to stress connections between language, thought and power. Orwell tells us that nobody will be able to commit unwanted acts or think bad thoughts because actions cannot exist without language to describe or define them. It includes words for everyday activities like eating, drinking, and working. It contains simple nouns and verbs wi... Free Essays on 1984 In the classic novel 1984, George Orwell explains how a government can abuse the power, which it has obtained. â€Å"Big Brother,† the government of Oceania, that controls the society in which the protagonist Winston Smith dwells, has complete control over every aspect of his everyday life. Orwell could see the makings of a totalitarian government in the rise of authority in Hitler, Franco, and Stalin. Each of these dictators sought to change society and â€Å"control the world.† Although the novel was published in 1949, Orwell was not trying to predict the future; rather his purpose was to warn against the possibilities of a totalitarian government. The government was able to control the very actions of its people by the use of telescreens. Telescreens were in every room of every home and on the streets. These screens allowed for the government to constantly watch and hear every sound or move someone made and, indeed, every movement was scrutinized. One morning, while doing his â€Å"Physical Jerks,† Winston was not putting forth good effort, and the instructor over the telescreen ordered him to do better (Orwell 34). This provides evidence that there were people watching at every moment, and one must do as one was told. Orwell said that, by being able to see one’s every action, the government could more easily control those actions, and thereby control the citizens of the society as well as the society itself. Through the use of literary devices such as imagery, Orwell portrayed the environment around Winston quite vividly. Orwell appealed to every sense to bring the reader into the story and to portray the almost limitless control a totalitarian government might obtain. For example, the government named everything â€Å"Victory,† including Victory Gin, Victory Coffee, and Victory Cigarettes. The items, however, were anything but a victory. Winston explained that, â€Å"The Victory Gin tastes like nitric acid and after s... Free Essays on 1984 The effects of Winston’s brainwashing What has happened to society? George Orwell has written a powerful book about power hungry people of today want to do what ever they want to do ever they want. Oceania is a society of constant brainwashing. Winston was unfortunately a victim of brainwashing. What effect did brainwashing have on him. The brainwashing has effected his daily routine, his thought process, and his attitude toward people. Winston’s whole daily routine was changed. He used to wake up early in the morning and exercise. After that he would go to the Ministry of Love and work as much as 30 hours. Then he usually rode the tube station home. At home he ended the day by drinking his gin. Since his brain washing he woke up at about 11:00 a.m. worked for about 3 hours. After work instead of going home he went to the Chestnut to drink his gin and play chess. At the cafà © his cup of gin was constantly being refilled. He was brainwashed into spending time in the in the cafà ©. A perfect example of this is when he thinks to himself. "Chestnut Cafà ©, which had never seemed attractive as at this moment. He had a nostalgic vision of his corner table, with the newspaper and the chessboard and the ever flowing gin." Orwell 241 he was brainwashed to into going into the cafà © for two reasons. So that he will constantly be in public so he won’t have time to think by himself. To keep him drunk so in his free time he will not be capable of thinking straight. As one can see, the brainwashing affected his daily routine. Not only did brainwashing effect his daily routine. Not only did brainwashing effect his daily routine but it also has effected his thought process. Winston’s thought significant signs of change. His love attraction he ha for Julia had changed. when he saw Julia for the first time since the brainwashing he almost walked right by her. He began to follow her with on fear of being watched. He no longer saw her beauty.... Free Essays on 1984 The Suppression of Love and Eroticism in 1984 â€Å"We are never so helplessly unhappy as when we lose love,† (Sigmund Freud). Throughout life, there are searches of meaning, belonging, and most importantly, love. Being in love with someone and sharing yourself and your life gives an overwhelming sense of completeness. If you live your life without love, compassion, or desire there is not much to look forward too – life would be lonely. In 1984, Big Brother’s manipulative control over the way of life in Oceania suppresses society’s and Winston Smith’s ability to find love and express sexual desire. Big Brother could not control men and women from developing â€Å"loyalties† between one another; however, its undeclared purpose was to completely abolish all the pleasure, meaning, and emotion from the sexual act. The Party made great efforts to psychologically manipulate the people into doing as they say. Many restrictions and regulations made it practically impossible for anyone to even consider going against the Party. First of all, if a couple wanted to get married they would have had to have it approved by an appointed committee. In short, if the committee thought that there was the least bit of physical attraction between the couple, the marriage would be rejected. â€Å"Not love so much as eroticism was the enemy, inside marriages as well as outside it,† (Orwell 57). The purpose of marriage was strictly to procreate for the service of Big Brother, not to unite the love of two people, and for children to eventually turn in their .........