The Repressive Governments of Zamiatin's We and Orwell's 1984
Benjamin Bulloch
Outline: Thesis: Both Zamiatin's We and Orwell's 1984 have governments that
repress actions and thoughts through the use of physical and psychological force.
I. Intro.
II. We's Government's Use of Psychological Force
A. Number system
B. Sexual Registration
III. 1984's Governments Use of Psychological Force
A. Newspeak
B. Doublethink
IV. Both Government's Use of Physical Force
A. Torture of Winston
B. Operation On Fancy
V. Conclusion
Throughout time, people have wondered what happens when government
gains complete control not only over people's actions, but over the thoughts
that precede them. Is it even possible to gain such omnipotence over human
nature that human beings will renounce all individuality? If such a society
could exist, would human nature truly be conquered, or just subdued sufficiently
that the will of the few could be contorted into the will of the general
population? The British author Eric Blair, better known by his pen name George
Orwell, and the Russian born Eugene Zamiatin both attempt to address these
questions in their respective books 1984 and We.
These novels depict, ". . . mechanized societies whose citizens are
deprived of freedom through physical and psychological conditioning." (Bloom 17)
The amazing thing about these civilizations is that the majority of the
citizenry, at least publicly, applauds the government's totalitarian actions.
Both Zamiatin's We and Orwell's 1984 have governments that repress thought and
action through the use of physical and physiological force.
One of the most visible ways the government of the United State is able
to control the thought and actions of its citizens is by the use and abuse of a
system by which each member of society receives a number at birth instead of
given a name... [continues]
Benjamin Bulloch
Outline: Thesis: Both Zamiatin's We and Orwell's 1984 have governments that
repress actions and thoughts through the use of physical and psychological force.
I. Intro.
II. We's Government's Use of Psychological Force
A. Number system
B. Sexual Registration
III. 1984's Governments Use of Psychological Force
A. Newspeak
B. Doublethink
IV. Both Government's Use of Physical Force
A. Torture of Winston
B. Operation On Fancy
V. Conclusion
Throughout time, people have wondered what happens when government
gains complete control not only over people's actions, but over the thoughts
that precede them. Is it even possible to gain such omnipotence over human
nature that human beings will renounce all individuality? If such a society
could exist, would human nature truly be conquered, or just subdued sufficiently
that the will of the few could be contorted into the will of the general
population? The British author Eric Blair, better known by his pen name George
Orwell, and the Russian born Eugene Zamiatin both attempt to address these
questions in their respective books 1984 and We.
These novels depict, ". . . mechanized societies whose citizens are
deprived of freedom through physical and psychological conditioning." (Bloom 17)
The amazing thing about these civilizations is that the majority of the
citizenry, at least publicly, applauds the government's totalitarian actions.
Both Zamiatin's We and Orwell's 1984 have governments that repress thought and
action through the use of physical and physiological force.
One of the most visible ways the government of the United State is able
to control the thought and actions of its citizens is by the use and abuse of a
system by which each member of society receives a number at birth instead of
given a name... [continues]
Cite This Essay
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(1999, 10). The Repressive Governments of Zamiatin's We and Orwell's 1984. StudyMode.com. Retrieved 10, 1999, from http://www.studymode.com/essays/Repressive-Governments-Zamiatins-We-Orwells-1984-4651.html
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"The Repressive Governments of Zamiatin's We and Orwell's 1984" StudyMode.com. 10 1999. 10 1999 <http://www.studymode.com/essays/Repressive-Governments-Zamiatins-We-Orwells-1984-4651.html>.
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"The Repressive Governments of Zamiatin's We and Orwell's 1984." StudyMode.com. 10, 1999. Accessed 10, 1999. http://www.studymode.com/essays/Repressive-Governments-Zamiatins-We-Orwells-1984-4651.html.
