“George Orwell, born as Eric Arthur Blair, witnessed the rise of totalitarian regimes in the 20th
century, from Nazi Germany to Soviet Russia. He saw the effects of propaganda, state control,
and the loss of individual freedoms firsthand. These experiences deeply shaped his worldview,
leading him to explore the dark side of power in his writing. In 1949, Orwell published 1984, a
chilling vision of a society where the state controls not only actions but even thoughts.”
1. What is freedom?
2. Can reality be controlled by government?
3. What are your ideas about surveillance?
The setting of 1984 is a dystopian world in the year 1984, mainly in the city of London, which is part
of a fictional superstate called Oceania. Oceania is constantly at war, and the government, led by
the Party and its figurehead Big Brother, controls everything.
The society is bleak and oppressive:
• Homes and workplaces are monitored by telescreens, which act as both surveillance cameras
and propaganda devices.
• The Ministry of Truth, where the main character works, is responsible for altering historical
records to fit the Party’s version of reality.
• The Ministry of Love is a terrifying place where anyone who disobeys the Party is tortured and
brainwashed.
• The Proles’ neighborhoods are the slums where the working-class people live, mostly ignored by
the Party because they are not seen as a threat.
This setting creates an atmosphere of fear, control, and hopelessness, reflecting the Party’s total
domination over every aspect of life.
Plot
George Orwell’s 1984 follows Winston Smith, a low-ranking member of the ruling Party in the
city of London within the nation of Oceania. In Oceania, everyone is constantly watched by Big
Brother, the Party’s term for its intense surveillance system. The Party has created a new language,
Newspeak, designed to eliminate rebellious thoughts by removing words related to freedom and
rebellion. Simply thinking against the Party, called “thoughtcrime,” is the worst offense. Winston
feels frustrated with the Party’s restrictions, which forbid free thought, personal relationships, and
individual expression. He starts to watch a Party leader, O’Brien, whom he suspects may secretly
oppose the Party. At his job in the Ministry of Truth, Winston’s role is to alter historical records to
match the Party’s needs, so the Party’s version of reality always appears true. He notices a dark-
haired girl, Julia, who seems to be watching him, and he worries she might report him. Winston
knows the Party lies about its alliances, including claiming it’s always been at war with Eastasia.
Despite the risks, Winston finds some solace in the poor, working-class neighborhoods of the
“proles,” who live with little interference from the Party. One day, Julia slips him a note saying, “I
love you.” They begin a secret relationship, hiding from Big Brother’s constant watch. While
Winston is convinced they’ll be caught, Julia is more hopeful. Their bond only strengthens
Winston’s hatred for the Party. Finally, Winston receives an invitation to meet O’Brien. He and Julia
visit O’Brien’s luxurious apartment, where he claims to be a member of the Brotherhood, an
underground group against the Party. O’Brien gives them Emmanuel Goldstein’s Manifesto, the
Brotherhood’s supposed handbook. Back at their rented room, Winston reads it to Julia. Suddenly,
soldiers burst into the room, capturing them. Mr. Charrington, the shop owner where Winston
bought his diary, turns out to be a member of the Thought Police. Winston is taken to the Ministry of
Love, where he finds out that O’Brien was loyal to the Party all along. O’Brien tortures Winston,
finally taking him to Room 101, where he must face his deepest fear: rats. As the cage of rats is
lowered toward him, Winston breaks, screaming for the torture to be done to Julia instead. This
moment destroys Winston’s resistance. Released back into society, Winston now has no feelings
for Julia and returns to his job, completely loyal to the Party and Big Brother.
1. Character Development
Winston Smith
Winston begins as a seemingly ordinary worker under the oppressive regime of the Party, harboring
a quiet, internal rebellion through his diary. His rebellion progresses from private dissent to active
resistance when he becomes involved with Julia. As the novel unfolds, his psychological journey
mirrors his physical degradation—his initial courage and clarity are replaced by fear, confusion,
and ultimately complete submission to the Party. His mental and spiritual collapse, culminating in
his love for Big Brother, symbolizes the Party’s terrifying ability to extinguish individuality and
humanity.
Julia
Julia offers a stark contrast to Winston's intellectual rebellion. She is a pragmatic, pleasure-driven
character who rebels not out of ideological conviction but as a means to reclaim personal
enjoyment under the Party's oppressive rule. Her relationship with Winston serves as his entry
point into more tangible acts of rebellion, highlighting the tension between ideological resistance
and personal defiance. Julia’s eventual betrayal under torture demonstrates the futility of
resistance in a totalitarian system.
O’Brien
O’Brien represents the Party’s manipulation and ultimate authority. Initially appearing as a
potential ally and mentor to Winston, he embodies the sophisticated and duplicitous evil of the
regime. His betrayal of Winston and subsequent role as his torturer underscore the Party’s
psychological dominance. Through O’Brien, Orwell portrays the intellectual and moral decay
inherent in unchecked power.
2. Thematic Analysis
Power and Control
Orwell explores how totalitarian regimes maintain control through surveillance (the omnipresent
telescreens), language manipulation (Newspeak), and historical revision (constant rewriting of the
past). The Party's use of psychological torture and propaganda reveals the mechanisms by which
power corrupts and perpetuates itself.
Individual vs. State
The novel dramatizes the struggle between personal freedom and the overpowering force of the
state. Winston and Julia’s love represents a brief rebellion against the Party's dehumanizing
influence. However, their ultimate failure demonstrates the Party’s ability to override even the most
basic human instincts and emotions.
Truth and Reality
Orwell’s concept of doublethink—the ability to hold contradictory beliefs—shows the Party’s
control over truth and reality. By manipulating language, facts, and even memories, the Party
enforces a reality where objective truth is irrelevant, emphasizing the dangers of propaganda and
cognitive dissonance.
3. Symbolism and Motifs
The Glass Paperweight
The paperweight symbolizes Winston’s desire to preserve the past and find beauty and truth. Its
destruction during his arrest signifies the shattering of his dreams and hopes, mirroring the fragility
of resistance.
The Telescreen
A constant reminder of the Party’s surveillance, the telescreen serves as both a tool of control and
a symbol of oppression. Its two-way functionality demonstrates the Party’s absolute power over
individual privacy.
Room 101
As the embodiment of personalized fear, Room 101 represents the Party’s ultimate method of
control. It breaks the human spirit by exploiting individual weaknesses, stripping people of their
humanity and independence.
4. Contextual Analysis
Historical Context
Written in the aftermath of World War II, 1984 draws on Orwell’s observations of totalitarian
regimes like Stalinist Russia and Nazi Germany. The rise of mass media and propaganda, combined
with Orwell’s experience of British wartime censorship, heavily influenced the novel’s portrayal of
power and control. The Cold War's early stages also shaped its warnings about ideological
extremism.
Literary Context
1984 belongs to the dystopian genre, following the tradition of works like Yevgeny Zamyatin’s We. It
became a defining piece of political fiction, influencing subsequent works such as Margaret
Atwood’s The Handmaid’s Tale. Orwell’s detailed world-building and thematic focus have made
1984 a template for exploring issues of power, freedom, and truth.
5. Critical Interpretation
Author’s Intent
Orwell intended 1984 as a warning against totalitarianism, emphasizing the dangers of unchecked
power, truth manipulation, and societal control. The novel critiques humanity's vulnerability to
oppression and explores the psychological impact of living under constant surveillance and
propaganda.
Impact and Significance
The novel introduced terms like "Big Brother," "thoughtcrime," and "doublethink" into political
discourse. Its exploration of surveillance, censorship, and propaganda remains relevant,
particularly in the digital age. 1984 continues to serve as a cautionary tale about the dangers of
authoritarianism and the erosion of personal freedoms.
6. Technical Elements
Structure
The novel’s three-part structure reflects Winston’s journey:
1. Hope: His growing awareness and initial acts of rebellion.
2. Happiness: His relationship with Julia, symbolizing personal freedom and resistance.
3. Destruction: His capture, torture, and eventual submission.
The appendix on Newspeak provides an academic framework, underscoring the Party’s linguistic
control and its long-term implications.
Style Choices
Orwell employs plain, clear prose to highlight the stark realities of life under the Party. Newspeak
exemplifies the corruption of language, while detailed physical descriptions create an oppressive
atmosphere. Emotional intensity in personal moments contrasts with the mechanical language of
the Party, emphasizing the loss of individuality.
7. Personal Response
Reader Engagement
The novel resonates with readers due to its universal exploration of fear, surveillance, and the loss
of freedom. The conflict between love and loyalty, as well as the psychological horror of Room 101,
creates a profound emotional impact, ensuring the story’s lasting relevance.
Critical Evaluation
The novel’s strengths lie in its psychological depth, prophetic vision, and political insight. Its
cultural impact is undeniable, influencing how we discuss and understand concepts of power,
control, and truth in modern society.
Orwell’s 1984 remains a masterful exploration of human nature, power, and the fragility of freedom
in the face of oppression.
