1984 Essay 9th grade
1984 Essay
People often wonder about why the world is the way it is. Some think that humans have changed over the years of evolution, but this statement is only partially accurate. Yes, humans have changed and evolved, but basic human tendencies have always been around. 1984 by George Orwell is a book that describes and demonstrates human tendencies that were relevant to the time the book was written and that are relevant to today.
Orwell used Kohlberg’s first three stages of moral development in 1984. Punishment and obedience is the first stage and is shown in the book when the people walk down the street and see posters that say “Big Brother is watching”. This stage of Kohlberg’s moral development is mainly stating that people are afraid of the consequences of their actions. The second stage is Bartering and Exchange. When the children turn in their parents to the thoughtpolice in the book, this stage of moral development is demonstrated. This stage states that the kids turn in their parents because they want to be rewarded for their “Good Deeds”, the children don’t know any better than they get praise from society for doing this task. The Third stage is interpersonal conformity. In the book Winston observes his peers and decides that he isn’t that much different. This stage says that people act a certain way around other people because they have learned to “Socialize their behavior” (Kohlberg)
Orwell also used Kohlberg’s last three stages of moral development in 1984. Stage four is Law and Order. In the book 1984 the people known as the thought police go around trying and succeeding in capturing people that they believe have committed thought crime. The stage says that those who do not obey need to be punished. The fifth stage is Prior Rights and Social Contract. Winston became aware of the society around him and he began to realize that it was wrong. The definition of this stage says the character knows what they are entitled to and fight for their rights.
People often wonder about why the world is the way it is. Some think that humans have changed over the years of evolution, but this statement is only partially accurate. Yes, humans have changed and evolved, but basic human tendencies have always been around. 1984 by George Orwell is a book that describes and demonstrates human tendencies that were relevant to the time the book was written and that are relevant to today.
Orwell used Kohlberg’s first three stages of moral development in 1984. Punishment and obedience is the first stage and is shown in the book when the people walk down the street and see posters that say “Big Brother is watching”. This stage of Kohlberg’s moral development is mainly stating that people are afraid of the consequences of their actions. The second stage is Bartering and Exchange. When the children turn in their parents to the thoughtpolice in the book, this stage of moral development is demonstrated. This stage states that the kids turn in their parents because they want to be rewarded for their “Good Deeds”, the children don’t know any better than they get praise from society for doing this task. The Third stage is interpersonal conformity. In the book Winston observes his peers and decides that he isn’t that much different. This stage says that people act a certain way around other people because they have learned to “Socialize their behavior” (Kohlberg)
Orwell also used Kohlberg’s last three stages of moral development in 1984. Stage four is Law and Order. In the book 1984 the people known as the thought police go around trying and succeeding in capturing people that they believe have committed thought crime. The stage says that those who do not obey need to be punished. The fifth stage is Prior Rights and Social Contract. Winston became aware of the society around him and he began to realize that it was wrong. The definition of this stage says the character knows what they are entitled to and fight for their rights.