"Do you begin to see, then, what kind of world we are creating? It is the exact opposite of the stupid hedonistic utopias that the old reformers imagined." Discuss the anti-utopia that Orwell is portraying with reference to totalitarian regimes.
"Do you begin to see, then, what kind of world we are creating? It is the exact opposite of the stupid hedonistic utopias that the old reformers imagined." Discuss the anti-utopia that Orwell is portraying with reference to totalitarian regimes. Hitler, Stalin and Big Brother, tyrants all. Throughout Nineteen-Eighty Four, there are clear similarities between Winston's world and the totalitarian regimes that now form part of our history. However, as O'Brien goes on to explain, there are just as many differences. The concept of a 'utopia' was defined, although not invented, in a sixteenth century essay by Thomas More describing a perfectly ordered world wit complete equality. AS O'Brien expresses, this was the initial aim of the 'old reformers'; indeed, the concept of communism in Russia and China, in its origins, seems closely linked to the principles of Utopia. While O'Brien may simply be referring to More in his dismissal of 'stupid hedonistic utopias,' totalitarian dictators such as Hitler, in principle at least, did have this aim in his quest for the augmentation of the German State. In this respect Big Brother has learnt both from literature and history. As O'Brien states, though the Twentieth Century trend of mass propaganda, dictators such as Hitler and Franco lied to themselves and indeed others with respect to their apparently selfless intentions. He observes
Is there any relief to the grimness in section 1 of 1984
Is there any relief to the grimness in section one of 1984? In the dystopian society Orwell creates in 1984 there is an overwhelming, yet unsettlingly familiar sense of irony; the omnipotent leaders of Oceania, Big Brother and the inner party members, claim to be controlling the everyday lives of the citizens in order to bring them a better life, 'for the good of the party' and 'our new, happy life'. However, this is the distinct opposite to the reality Winston Smith lives in; a totalitarian state which professes to bring hope and happiness, yet in actuality drains any sense of optimism and joy. In a place bereft of any hope, Winston Smith finds himself desperately searching for a sense of individuality and relief. It would be wrong to assume, however, that Orwell's society is completely and utterly deprived of solace, there are, at least in section, one faint glimmers of hope, small fragments to which Winston clings; a person he sees in the corridor, the masses of lower classes, the diary in which he writes. There are little details in Winston's life that do bring a sense of relief; the fact that luckily his room contains an area in which he can remain unseen by the telescreens. This offers him a minute place of solitude in a society where Big Brother is omnipresent. The presence of his diary and his pen, there is relief in the fact that he is able to write, even if it is
Thinking About George Orwell's Nineteen Eighty-Four (1984)
984 by George Orwell is based around politics and the lack of freedoms that are accustomed to us. The party has total control over the country watching every move. Many of George Orwell's books have been based around politics, like Animal Farm, which leads me to believe that he was very much into politics and how they affected his daily life. A number of essays, journals, and letters were put into four volumes that expressed what he thought of politics and current events. Written in 1949, 1984 is based on the spreading fear communism. This book was written the same year that the communist Soviet Union exploded their first atomic bomb, which brought fear to Americans. Panic spread that they would be bombed or taken over. George Orwell wrote what a communist society would evolve into in the future and I believe that Winston is like George Orwell and how he would have reacted. I believe that George Orwell is totally against the idea of the communists and he expresses this through 1984. George Orwell wrote 1984 thinking what one future possibility of how England might be like under a communist government. Winston works for the Party in the Ministry of Truth, located in London where he alters historical records to fit the Party's needs. Winston is constantly watched over by the party with hidden cameras. Everywhere he goes somebody could be watching him and making sure