Many people argue whether George Orwell’s 1984 was written purely to criticize, or if it portrays society today. I believe that George Orwell wrote 1984 in order to express his feelings about how society is governed. There are many examples of irony that support my position. 1984 is a political satire, the Orwell used to criticize man’s use of power. The slogan of Oceania is War is Peace, Freedom is Slavery, and Ignorance is Strength. These three phrases reflect some of the disturbing factors of our society today, which is why I believe that 1984 resembles Orwell’s dystopian creation.
1984 is a dystopian novel set inn Airstrip One, which used to be Britian. Oceania is always at war with another superpower, and their main goal is to achieve the most power throughout their world. The main character is Winston Smith, a man who works for the party and is supposed to change history to match what the party has told him. Winston lives in a society where he is constantly listened to and watched by telescreens and microphones to make sure he is enthusiastic about hate, and to make sure he doesn’t commit any crimes. Everywhere Winston goes he always sees posters that say, “Big Brother is Watching You.” Big Brother is the party leader that may or may not be real. The official language of Oceania, the country where Airstrip one is located, is Newspeak. Newspeak is the only language in Oceania that lessens it’s words each year so that it is harder for people to commit thoughtcrime. Winston is a dedicated worker, but often thinks about rebellion against Big Brother. Winston idolizes a man named O’Brien that he thinks is part of the Brotherhood, a terrorist group who constantly sabotages the party. Winston begins to like a woman named Juli…
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… They ignore the fact that what they might be doing could be morally wrong because all they want is to be the best. They are ignorant, but that is what gives them the strength to go after what they want, no matter what they have to do. Someone could say there is nothing wrong in wanting to better yourself and working for the good of others but steps in which people take can also hurt others around them. I believe this happens in every nation, just as it happens in Orwells 1984.
Even though there are many reasons why people disagree with the statement that 1984 is like society today, I obviously agree. We may not be to that point yet, but there are many similarities between our societies. The slogan, War is Peace, Freedom is Slavery, Ignorance is Strength, shows how frightening the dystopian society in 1984 is. Hopefully conditions do not ever reach the same level.
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