Main Theme of 1984 by Orwell - Essay Example

Essay, English Revision set on 05-02 15:12:07 3) Connectively, proofread the paper in full for format, grammar, and syntax so that the paper may successfully pass our next QAD check With these in mind, please, make necessary alterations in a timely manner. QAD Topic: 1984 By: George Orwell Themes Manipulation The main theme of manipulation runs through all other subsidiary themes in the novel 1884, like repression, loyalty, rebellion, psychological manipulation, memory and the past etc. Even the name, George Orwell is manipulated and his real name is Eric Arthur Blair (1903-1950)! A reader is the witness, as to how the theme of manipulation is implemented at every turn of the plot of the novel. An important enemy of the Party is the past heritage of the country. Therefore, it wishes to destroy the memory of the past by all means. Its goal is to own total control—past, present and future. Every source of information is carefully re-written, the content is modified, documentary evidences and historical records are amended as per the current needs. The Party bars the members to keep records in writing relating to their lives and decrees that the photographs, if any and documents are destroyed through “memory holes” installed throughout Oceania. Memory is unreliable, no one is willing to accept it as documentary evidence, and the citizens have no other option but to believe the information tendered by the Party. This is the style of the Party for manipulating the past to control the present and future. 1984 by Orwell is the warning manual about the dangers of totalitarianism, how through manipulation, communist governments sustain and increase their political hold on the citizens. Access to Government departments and functionaries is extremely tough and about one such department, Ministry of Love, Orwell writes, “Even the streets leading up to its outer barriers were roamed by gorilla-faced guards in black uniforms, armed with jointed truncheons”. (Orwell, n. p.) Many intellectuals begin to think that communist principles are theoretically sound but they either ignore or not aware of the widespread cruelties and oppressions. The technological advancement helps the cause of the government. Manipulation through misinformation They say, when the lie is repeated from hundred platforms a thousand times, it becomes the truth. The Party uses the spiritual concept of controlling the mind, but the psychological stimuli designed by them creates negativities, and overwhelms the mind’s capability for self-regulating thought processes. He becomes the slave to the information broadcasted through the telescreens and the shortcomings of the Party are hyped as triumphs and successes. Orwell writes about one such warning board, “BIG BROTHER IS WATCHING YOU, the caption beneath it ran”. (Orwell, n. p.)It is the sign of terror-cum-manipulation. It gives the strong impression that the controlling authorities are on scrutiny of the citizens always. The influence and fear of the Big Brother is so strong and Orwell writes, “Always the eyes watching you and the voice enveloping you. Asleep of awake, working or earing, indoors or out of doors, in the bath or in bed—no escape. Nothing was your own except a few cubic centimeters inside your skull”. (Orwell, n. p.) As part of destroying the past, family structure is attacked, and the children are designated as Junior Spies, to keep a watch on the movements of their parents as for locating the incidents of disloyalty to the Party. Orwell describes the style in which the young children are groomed to serve the interests of the Party. “The songs, the processions, the banners, the hiking, the drilling with dummy rifles, the yelling of slogans, the worship of Big Brother -- it was all a sort of glorious game to them. All their ferocity was turned outwards, against the enemies of the State, against foreigners, traitors, saboteurs, thought-criminals”. (Orwell, n. p.)This is the worst form of manipulation. More is in store for the citizens. They are expected to suppress their sexual desires, as sex is treated as a procreative duty to create new Party members. The pent-up frustration is manipulated to express fierce display of hatred against the political opponents. The Party’s plan for physical control through manipulation is amazing. Body control is also given equal importance as that of mind control. The party functionaries are ever vigilant to trace disloyalty, even a tiny facial twitch will be considered as an act of dissent and that individual is liable to be arrested. One’s nervous system is one’s greatest enemy. Army-style schedules are in store for the civilians. They need to participate in mass morning exercises known as Physical Jerks, and a long work schedule awaits them in the government agencies and by the end of the day people are not only tired but exhausted. None is allowed to defy the Party’s mandate. One is liable to be “reeducated” through the processes of brutal torture, for weeks together. The impact of physical torture is so much that the one that suffers it, is willing to testify that 2+2=5. The dystopian world of Oceania is a terror-ridden society, where "War is Peace; Freedom is Slavery; Ignorance is Strength". (Orwell n.p.).Much before the internet revolution, Orwell anticipates the devastating consequences of motivated and evil applications of technology. Apart from the telescreens, through hidden microphones at the vantage points in the city, the Party draws a scheme to monitor the activities of its members at all times. Even for routine jobs they are used and Orwell writes, “The telescreen was giving forth an ear-splitting whistle which continued on the same note for thirty seconds. It was seven fifteen, getting-up time for office workers”. (Orwell, n. p.) In addition, the Party put into operation complex mechanisms to exercise control on economic production and sources of information and the machinery created for torture is awesome. Manipulation through language Manipulation of language as the tool of mind control is one of the important messages in 1984. It is through language, that an individual structures the ideas and expresses one’s opinions. With total control of the language with a centralized agency, the origin of disobedient and rebellious thoughts is addressed to, because the citizens will not have mental access to the alternative vocabulary and their thinking stops at the level designed and desired by the party functionaries. The Party, as conceived by Orwell, introduces a new language known as Newspeak, to replace English and terms and expressions amenable to Party’s ideology will be introduced to build the language, and no citizen will be able to conceptualize alternative ideas, other than what is desired by the Party. The language is constantly being refined and perfected as per the demands of the ideology of the Party to hold on to its absolute power. Orwell writes about the Party’s viewpoints about the developments taking place in the area of new language formation, “We’re destroying words -- scores of them, hundreds of them, every day. We're cutting the language down to the bone. The Eleventh Edition won't contain a single word that will become obsolete before the year 2050”. (Orwell, n. p.) The planning to demolish the rich heritage is perfect! Manipulation through propaganda Propaganda is the mainstay of Party’s manipulative power and skill. This is looked after by the Ministry of Truth, where Winston is employed and the Ministry is accountable for distributing publications and information. The facts and figures emerge from this Ministry, as per the dictates of the Party. Party decides what to tell, when to tell, and whether to tell or not. Old information is constantly being updated, with no consideration for reality. Propaganda is in total control. Manipulation of the familial traditions: For example, Winston’s mother is an affectionate woman, deeply loved her children and does her best to support them during the aftermath of the Revolution and the rise of the Party to power. The Party resents the interfamilial allegiance and love and allegiance shall be at the disposal of the Big Brother and the Party. Bonds between the parents and children stand terminated. Children are designated as spies to keep a watch on their parents and report to the Thought Police about their father and mother. Human nature is suppressed. Youth is taught to rebel against the parents. "It was almost normal for people over thirty to be frightened of their own children". (Orwell n. p.) They are afraid of their shadows! The final destination for such moves of manipulation is to destroy the family unit totally and the children are taken care of in the party nurseries and other facilities. Everyone shall love only the Big Brother and Oceania and there is no scope for any other type of emotional love. Manipulation through loss of identity The vestige of independence and identity is destroyed through the external appearance of the individual. The apparel the citizens wear is the same; they eat the same food and live collectively in apartments. It is a criminal offence to have independent thoughts and if detected, may result in severe punishment. Independence is equated with insanity. Leaving nothing to chance and to complete the process of brainwashing the party has produced Hate Song for Hate Week celebrations, with the sole purpose of spreading negativity. The party is powered by loyalty from all ends. Party’s mandates are accepted without question or hesitation, even if it means murdering the innocents. Works Cited Orwell, George. 1984 n. d. Web: http://msxnet.org/orwell/Accessed on April 29, 2013 Read More