Patrick Boudreau
Saulis
English 12
11/19/2014
1984 Essay
There are many similarities and differences between the dystopian society of 1984, and our own today. While The United States is a long way from a totalitarianism style government that controls everything down to the thought of an individual, there are many things George
Orwell wasn’t to far from correct about.
Totalitarianism is a prominent theme throughout 1984, with the government controlling everything. The world is a very different place with the government watching, hearing, and monitoring everything. One of the most used phrases throughout the book is “Big Brother is
Watching.” meaning that Big Brother, who is arguably a real figure, or more likely a metaphor for the government as a whole is surveying everything. The Government in this book is very resemblant to the Soviet Union’s during the 1940’s when George Orwell wrote this, however the only difference between Orwell’s dystopian society and the one present during his time is the fact that the one he has created was much more technologically advanced. Another Aspect of the totalitarianism government in this book is the fact that the past is dead, as in everything that has ever existed is no longer a part of the current world.”The Party seeks to control everything – past, present, and future. Another effort towards attaining that goal is to control its constituents’ memory. Without memory, the people cannot know the past. Without memory, the Party is able to control history.” as schmoop.com says. The last aspect of the totalitarianism government is the

fact that those who question the government die. Throughout the book we see multiple characters disappear, with no cause other than they thought “out of line.” The Government takes those who are different in anyway and discard them from society. The government must do this in order to keep those who are capable of thinking in abstract ways from overthrowing the government, much like Winston was going to attempt. “Momentarily he caught O'Brien's eye. O'Brien had stood up. He had taken off his spectacles and was in the act of resettling them on his nose with his characteristic gesture. But there was a fraction of a second when their eyes met, and for as long as it took to happen Winston knew­ yes, he knew!­ that O'Brien was thinking the same thing as himself. An unmistakable message had passed. It was as though their two minds had opened and the thoughts were flowing from one into the other through their eyes. 'I am with you,'
O'Brien seemed to be saying to him. 'I know precisely what you are feeling. I know all about your contempt, your hatred, your disgust. But don't worry, I am on your side!” Clearly displays
Winston’s belief that the government is corrupt, but as he later finds out O’Brien is on Big
Brother’s side, and was only misleading Winston into opening up to him.
Part of how the government controls the people in 1984 is by invoking hate into them.
The government teaches hate from a young age in order to corrupt their minds to only believe in loving big brother. Hate allows for the people to come together in believing in a common enemy, weather it’s Eurasia or Eastasia, the people of Oceania hate one thing after another. Even the belief in hate towards criminals is phenomenal. Everything in their culture revolves around hate.
As Parson’s kids even state “"Who denounced you?" said Winston.
"It was my little daughter," said Parsons with a sort of doleful pride. "She listened at the