1984 By George Orwell: A Look Into The Future?
A Look into the Future? Often times, people conform to the norms of society while inwardly questioning those very same norms. In 1984, George Orwell characterizes Winston Smith as a man with individuality, yet he fits in like a puzzle piece in a time and situation where being oneself is not accepted and is punishable by law. He has thoughts that question the government’s ways and ideals, and even makes an exertion to record them before the Thought Police intervene. Throughout the novel 1984, Winston outwardly conforms to the expectations of society. He makes conscious efforts to maintain a straight face in order to fit in with everyone else and with what the government deems suitable. This demonstrates that Winston is simply trying to
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"In the end the Party would announce that two and two made five, and you would have to believe it. ... And what was terrifying was not that they would kill you for thinking otherwise, but that they might be right. For, after all, how do we know that two and two make four? Or that the force of gravity works? Or that the past is unchangeable? If both the past and the external world exist only in the mind and if the mind itself is controllable— what then?" A huge point that is made here is what the government says is what the truth is, even if it isn’t actually and realistically truthful. This is also where Winston questions the government even more than before, doubting its ways while at the same time doubting his original uncertainty, arousing internal conflict. Winston knows that the government’s tight grip on society is flawed in more ways than one – such as the surveillance, physical control and psychological control – so he distrusts what he is being told and secretly believes what he thinks on his own. This contributes to the meaning of the work by showing just how controlling and devastating the totalitarian government can be towards individuals and society as a whole. As Winston faces this conflict of trying to follow the norms all while trying to keep his individualism, only struggle and confusion will arise from it, creating a chaos in an organized
"In the end the Party would announce that two and two made five, and you would have to believe it. ... And what was terrifying was not that they would kill you for thinking otherwise, but that they might be right. For, after all, how do we know that two and two make four? Or that the force of gravity works? Or that the past is unchangeable? If both the past and the external world exist only in the mind and if the mind itself is controllable— what then?" A huge point that is made here is what the government says is what the truth is, even if it isn’t actually and realistically truthful. This is also where Winston questions the government even more than before, doubting its ways while at the same time doubting his original uncertainty, arousing internal conflict. Winston knows that the government’s tight grip on society is flawed in more ways than one – such as the surveillance, physical control and psychological control – so he distrusts what he is being told and secretly believes what he thinks on his own. This contributes to the meaning of the work by showing just how controlling and devastating the totalitarian government can be towards individuals and society as a whole. As Winston faces this conflict of trying to follow the norms all while trying to keep his individualism, only struggle and confusion will arise from it, creating a chaos in an organized