Salaam6
Shanna Salaam
English 150
Professor Thomas
May 21st, 2018
The Totalitarian Regime in Oceania
George Orwell 1984 explores how the four ministries; Love. Peace, Truth and Plenty are deliberately designed to control over the state of Oceania while simultaneously restricting any chance of rebellion.
The story takes place in a dystopian society of London which can be identified as a place where methodical thinking depicts every aspect of the society. There is this God-like figure, a symbol, referred to as Big Brother, who keeps control over its citizens through a combination of manipulation and fear. Presumably the leader of the opposition party, he is a depiction of supremacy and pries into the lives of every citizen of Oceania. They are taught to love him even more than they love themselves. Along with this omniscient figure, the four ministries, the Thought police, as Brax explains, “is a special police force, who spy on people and arrest those who commit thoughtcrime” (Brax 1), hate week and newspeak, all married together to generate that dreadful dystopian atmosphere.
Orwell begins by introducing the main character or the protagonist, Winston Smith. He is a low-level worker in the Ministry of Truth or Mini true. He lives in a complex known as Victory Mansions, which is ironic because there is nothing mansion-like about his apartment. His description of the apartment mirrors the tone and atmosphere in his world. The hallways “smelt of boiled cabbage and old rug mats…It was no use trying the lift” he said, “and even at the best of times it was seldom working, and at present, the electric current was cut off during daylight hours (Orwell 1). This quote basically symbolizes the depression and frustration that blanketed the entire population. Boiled cabbage smells like fesses and old rug mats smells disgusting. To live in a building with that kind of stench with an elevator that seldom works and electricity that is being regulated on a daily basis is a clear indication that the citizens are being neglected in the same manner as the building.
The initial indication that The Party operates as a totalitarian government is the contradictory and illogical slogan that is publicize, “War is Peace, Freedom is Slavery and Ignorance is Strength” (Orwell 16). By keeping the masses thinking that endless war is being fought to continue to keep them safe is a great way of keeping them subjugated. For instance, with regards to freedom, an uncontrolled society symbolizes the removal of the Party’s authority. As a result, they make certain that they block access to society’s freedom in order to keep them enslaved and unaware. Ignorance is bliss to the masses because it helps them remain content, hopeful and strong. It also benefits the Party because its keeps their agenda going. This logic can apply to any situation whatsoever. For example, if you have a partner who constantly gets into confrontation and claims it’s to ensure your safety or constantly ke...
