Themes

=__ Themes __=

Totalitarianism
1984 is written to warn readers of the dangers of totalitarian government. Orwell was disturbed by the cruelties and oppressions he observed in communist countries, and was concerned about technology. The government has a lot of power by technology. 1984 shows an extreme totalitarian society, with a government with absolute power. The title warned people in the 1950’s that this could really come true. Winston tries to oppose the government, in different ways. Having sex with Julia is an act of rebellion, while thinking bad about Big Brother is thought crime. But he does it.

Psychological Manipulation
The big telescreens every citizen has and which are everywhere around, show a constant stream of propaganda, designed to make the failures of the party look like successes. The telescreens also monitor behavior. Citizens are constantly remember that “BIG BROTHER IS WATCHING YOU”. Children join an organization called the Junior Spies, which brainwashes them and makes them spy on their parents. Sex is forbidden, only allowed to reproduce.

// “’You’re a traitor!’ yelled the boy. ‘You are a thought criminal! You’re a Eurasian spy! I’ll shoot you, I’ll vaporize you, I’ll send you to the salt mines!” (23). // // “The sex instinct will be eradicated. Procreation will be an annual formality like the renewal of a ration card. We shall abolish the orgasm” (220). //

Physical control
The party constantly watches for dishonesty and thoughtcrime. You can’t think bad about the party, that makes you go to prison. Even a tiny facial twitch \could lead to an arrest, that is why you can’t trust your own body anymore. Every morning on the telescreen, there is someone doing exercises to keep in shape and you have to do with. If you don’t, you are in big trouble. Being in trouble in 1984 is not the best thing you can have, because they torture you. They cause you so much pain, change your body, starve you, until the point you get crazy and even believe 2 + 2 = 5.

Control of history and information
The party controls every newspaper, every source of information. They rewrite history books, so that people forget about the past and think this is the real world.

//“We, the Party, control all records, and we control all memories. Then we control the past, do we not?” (204).//


 * Technology**

The microphones and telescreens all over the city take away all privacy. The Party is able to monitor its members almost all the time. They also have an amazing technology for torture, with the newest and best machinery.