1984 Feature Article

Totalitarian state attempts to control all aspects of its citizens’ lives. Freedom of speech and thought, emotions, individuality and privacy are scarce commodities under this regime. This must not make sense to the majority, yet still we do not rebel. You may well believe the party is managing our society well, there is strong evidence that this is not the case. As the party has gained more and more power, it has also taken away more and more rights.

The issue of freedom of speech and thought can be examined in the context of the way we live. We are used to the omnipresent telescreens in our lives, which are presented by Big Brother as a necessary tool for our safety and well being. We accept them as such; that is, we accept that the knowledge gained is being used to enhance society. It is possible however, that the telescreens may have a more sinister role to play. The use of telescreens may detect potential signs of unorthodoxy towards the party. This may symbolize the party’s abuse of new technology. “Who controls the past controls the future. Who controls the present controls the past”. This particular slogan illustrates the party’s technique of using altered history to take away independence amongst ourselves. Freedom of speech and thought should not be eroded to the point where the truth is no longer obvious.

Constant monitoring by telescreens does not allow the individual to interact with others in a natural way, leading to another important issue of personal relationships versus the group dynamic. We have been instructed that making love is “the duty to the party” and “sexual intercourse is to be looked on as a slightly disgusting minor operation, like having an enema”. The party has perpetrated this myth by introducing pitiful anti-sex leagues. If this is true, where are the happy faces and the dynamic relationships between people, which bring meaning to our lives? Winston Smith found fulfillment in his life by having a healthy relationship with a woman. “Never in my life have I felt so happy and satisfied”, he said. This is a leading example of how rebellion can transform our lives for the better.

Propaganda is defined as a type of message aimed

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