The Spectre of Totalitarianism in 1984

In the novel Nineteen Eighty-Four, Orwell uses many literary techniques to create the theme that totalitarianism is destructive. He does so by utilizing extensive imagery, focusing on the deterioration of the Victory Mansions, the canteen exactly where the Celebration members consume lunch and the general discomfort of the citizen’s lives to show the reader how totalitarianism has destroyed the top quality of life in Oceania. Orwell also uses the characterization of the common population to demonstrate how the totalitarian government has destroyed their sense of individuality and frequent sense. Lastly, Orwell uses the characterization of the principal character, Winston Smith, to show that a totalitarian government can destroy one’s morals, beliefs, and self-worth. These 3 tactics are employed throughout the novel to warn us of what could occur if a totalitarian government was to take more than.

The quality of life in Oceania has been significantly impacted by the ruling totalitarian government. The Party purposely keeps the normal of living dangerously low so that the men and women of Oceania feel like they do not have the power to stand up to the Celebration and make a alter. The Celebration knows that 1 can’t assist but be “sickened at the discomfort and dirt and scarcity, the interminable winters, the stickiness of one’s socks, the lift that never ever worked, the cold water, the gritty soap, the cigarettes that came to pieces [and] the food with its strange evil tastes” (63), but they do practically nothing to adjust it. If the citizens of Oceania had been able to appreciate luxuries, they would really feel stronger and more able to rebel against the government. By tactfully keeping the citizens of Oceania struggling in order to have the bare necessities, the Party keeps the civil peace by getting an obedient population.

The Victory Mansions are yet another instance of the poor high quality of life that the totalitarian government imposes. When Winston methods via the glass doors, he reflects how “the hallway smelt of boiled cabbage and old rag mats… [and that] it was no use attempting the lift. Even at the ideal of occasions it was seldom operating, and at present the electric existing was reduce off for the duration of daylight hours” (3). This shows that not only is the government denying the individuals satisfactory goods such as clean garments they are also depriving them of electricity. Not obtaining electrical energy for the duration of the day signifies that there can be no hot water, no use of kitchen appliances, and no way of reaching the top floors of the Victory Mansions effortlessly. Such basic factors are getting kept from the people so that their quality of life remains undeniably low, making sure that they will continue to obey the Party.

Ultimately, Orwell uses imagery to describe the workers’ canteen to demonstrate how totalitarianism is destructive. The canteen is “a low-ceilinged, crowded room, its walls grimy from the make contact with of innumerable bodies battered metal tables and chairs, placed so close together that you sat with elbows touching bent spoons, dented trays coarse white mugs all surfaces greasy, grime in each crack and a sourish, composite smell of undesirable gin and poor coffee and metallic stew and dirty clothes” (62). Becoming forced to eat in such a vile environment proves that the Party does not at all prioritize the comfort or nicely-being of the Outer Party members. Winston wonders to himself “why [1 need to] really feel it to be intolerable unless 1 had some sort of ancestral memory that factors had after been various,” (63) which proves that the high quality of life in Oceania had not usually been so poor, and that the totalitarian government had created it this way by imposing rations on necessities, nearly banning luxuries, and not caring about the wellbeing of the folks. The description of the canteen indicates just how low the quality of life is for the workers, and shows how totalitarianism has come to destroy any bit of contentment that could have come with their midday meal. The use of imagery describing the lack of the bare necessities in Oceania, the Victory Mansions, and the canteen exactly where the Outer Celebration members dine serves to efficiently demonstrate how totalitarianism is destructive to good quality of life.

In addition to imagery, Orwell makes use of the characterization of the common population of Oceania to prove that totalitarianism is destructive to individuality and frequent sense. The folks of this country have been subjected to numerous propaganda, persuading them to fully think that Big Brother has brought them a much better life, thoughtcrime is unthinkable and unacceptable, and to be frightened that anti-Party movements or thoughts will not be tolerated. These messages have been subconsciously driven deep into the minds of the citizens of Oceania, so significantly that they have lost the capability to consider for themselves, and blindly believe all that Huge Brother tells them. The very first evident glimpse of such brain-washed behaviour is for the duration of the Two Minutes Hate, when a little sandy-haired lady flings herself forward over a chair, and “with a tremulous murmur that sounded like ‘My Saviour!’ she extended her arms towards the screen,” (18) which is immediately followed by “the entire group of folks [breaking] into a deep, slow, rhythmical chant of ‘B-B! …. B-B! ….’”(19) The Two Minutes Hate is a kind of propaganda which is aimed at the citizens of Oceania whilst they are in groups, permitting them to take on group mentality. This makes them feel stronger and much more strong when truly, they are more vulnerable. The whole group is mesmerized, falling very easily into the slow chant of Huge Brother’s name, losing their individuality.

Secondly, we see how totalitarianism is destructive to the frequent sense of the folks of Oceania when “it appeared that [have been] demonstrations to thank Large Brother for raising the chocolate rations to twenty grammes a week. [] Only yesterday, [Winston] reflected, it had been announced that the ration was to be decreased to twenty grammes a week. Was it feasible that they could swallow that, soon after only twenty four hours? Yes, they swallowed it.” (61) Winston observes the crowd and doesn’t realize how they can so blindly believe every word that they are told about Massive Brother. As though they do not bear in mind what they had been told yesterday about the chocolate ration becoming lowered, they simply accept and believe that Massive Brother has raised it for them out of the goodness of his heart. Frequent sense has failed the individuals of Oceania, and has been overtaken by their adoration for the leader of the totalitarian government that guidelines more than them. One more example of how totalitarianism can destroy one’s individuality or widespread sense is Parsons’ break down when Winston runs into him in the Ministry of Adore. When asked what he’s in for, “[Parsons says] “Thoughtcrime!” practically blubbering. The tone of his voice implie[s] at when a comprehensive admission of his guilt and a sort of incredulous horror that such a word could be applied to himself.” (244)

Parsons is convinced that even although one particular may not intend to commit thoughtcrime, if they do, it is punishable. He is terrified of what the Celebration will do to him, and feels truly accountable for committing a crime. When Winston asks him if he is really guilty of committing thoughtcrime, “[Parsons cries] ‘Of course I’m guilty!’ with a servile glance at the telescreen. ‘You do not feel the Celebration would arrest an innocent man, do you?’ His froglike face grew calmer, and even took on a slightly sanctimonious expression. ‘Thoughtcrime is a dreadful factor, old man.’ he mentioned sententiously. ‘It’s insidious. It can get hold of you without having you even knowing it.’” (245) At this point, Parsons shows just how loyal a follower he is, by no means doubting the Party’s judgement and he is nearly thankful that they arrested him. He believes that thoughtcrime is an atrocity and cannot believe that he was a thoughtcriminal all along. He is proud of his youngsters for turning him in, and is willing to modify. Parsons no longer has the frequent sense to realise that he has committed no actual crime, and that he is being punished for expressing his thoughts. Via analyzing the behaviour of the folks for the duration of the Two Minutes Hate, the reaction that the men and women have over the chocolate ration getting been ‘raised’ to twenty grammes per week, and ultimately, Mr. Parsons reaction to getting arrested for thoughtcrime, it is evident that totalitarianism is destructive to one’s widespread sense and individuality.

Orwell also uses the characterization of Winston Smith to prove that totalitarianism is destructive. Near the beginning of the novel, Winston is a man who thinks that he understands specifically how the government is trying to handle the men and women of Oceania, and he despises how very easily the people think the lies and propaganda. One particular day, whilst considering about the constant warfare amongst Oceania and the two other powers of the globe, Winston concludes that Oceania is at the moment at war with Eurasia and as a result, according to altered historical documents, Oceania had always been at war with Eurasia. In reality, “ as Winston well knew, it was only four years because Oceania had been at war with Eastasia and in alliance with Eurasia.” (36) This proves that Winston nevertheless has memories of the past and he uses them to remind himself of the genuine past, and not the one that has been conjured up by the Party in order to hold Big Brother happy. At this point, Winston hates both Big Brother and the Celebration. He refuses to think what they tell him, and he tries to hold on to his individuality and his memories so that he can maintain himself grounded.

Sooner or later, Winston is arrested by the Thought Police and brought to the Ministry of Enjoy. At 1st he attempted to resist their punishments, but “when his nerves have been in rags right after hours of questioning, even this appeal could lessen him to snivelling tears… he became basically a mouth that uttered, a hand that signed, what ever was demanded of him. His sole concern was to uncover out what they wanted him to confess and to confess it rapidly, before the bullying began anew (254).” This point in the novel is exactly where the effects of totalitarianism commence to destroy Winston as a individual. A totalitarian government does not stand for individuality, and frowns upon any individual who tries to oppose them. Because Winston has rebelled a lot of instances against the Celebration, by writing in his diary and by falling in adore with Julia, he has grow to be an enemy of the Party who must be rehabilitated and forced to enjoy Big Brother regardless of whether he wants to or not. Winston is starved and beaten, tortured with electric shock and threatened with his worst worry in order to have him submit to what the Party wants, totally destroying his morals and beliefs. But in the finish, for Winston, “It was all appropriate, everything was all correct, [and] his struggle was completed. He had won the victory over himself. He loved Huge Brother.”(311) This final sentence was absolute confirmation that totalitarianism has destroyed Winston as a person. He by no means wanted to enjoy Big Brother, or think that which the Celebration wanted him to believe. However, in the end, Winston could not take any a lot more physical or mental abuse, and had no other decision but to do what he was forced to do love Large Brother, even if that meant that his morals and individual beliefs would be destroyed by it.

Orwell’s comprehensive use of imagery, along with the characterization of the brain-washed basic population of Oceania, and the characterization of Winston Smith worked together to prove that totalitarianism is destructive not only physically, but also to one’s individuality, typical sense, and personal beliefs. Energy can be a excellent factor, but when energy falls into the hands of a dictator such as Massive Brother, that energy could destroy us before we know it.