Totalitarianism In 1984 And Joseph Stalin S USSR
Jason Yan
Mr. Kennedy
ENG 4U1
3 July 2015
Totalitarianism in 1984 and Joseph Stalin’s USSR
George Orwell’s 1984 depicts a culture of terror, suspicion, and hatred which forces all human bonds to no longer exist and isolation to remain a way of life. Although the overall situation in Oceania seems outrageous and impossible, many of the inventions and beliefs put forth by the novel have existed during Joseph Stalin’s rule in the 20th century. 1984 presents a totalitarian dystopian world where there is no freedom and citizens are being brainwashed constantly. While writing the novel shortly after World War Two, George Orwell was influenced and inspired by regimes such as Hitler’s Nazi-Germany and Stalin’s Soviet Union. Many features of Big Brother and Oceania mimic those of Stalin and the USSR. Through propaganda and media control, citizens glorify their leaders as their heroes and saviours. With the ability to manipulate the past, present, and future, this allows leaders to change history thus controlling their citizens’ ways of thought. Both Big Brother and Stalin carefully keep tight surveillance of citizens in order to monitor and keep track of all activities during all times. Through Orwell’s depiction of Big Brother, and the demonstration of Stalin’s rule, the two show us the horrors of totalitarianism and the control of information and history. “WAR IS PEACE FREEDOM IS SLAVERY IGNORANCE IS STRENGTH.” (Orwell 3). In 1984, The Party’s use of lies, myths, and false information control the thinking of the citizens. Propaganda increases the citizens’ morale and makes them think that what The Party does is always right. The Party’s slogan demonstrates the concept of “doublethink”. Orwell states “Doublethink means the power of holding two contradictory beliefs in one’s mind simultaneously, and accepting both of them.” (223). Through doublethink, the Party is able to force its subjects to accept any and all of its ideas, even if they are completely illogical.
Mr. Kennedy
ENG 4U1
3 July 2015
Totalitarianism in 1984 and Joseph Stalin’s USSR
George Orwell’s 1984 depicts a culture of terror, suspicion, and hatred which forces all human bonds to no longer exist and isolation to remain a way of life. Although the overall situation in Oceania seems outrageous and impossible, many of the inventions and beliefs put forth by the novel have existed during Joseph Stalin’s rule in the 20th century. 1984 presents a totalitarian dystopian world where there is no freedom and citizens are being brainwashed constantly. While writing the novel shortly after World War Two, George Orwell was influenced and inspired by regimes such as Hitler’s Nazi-Germany and Stalin’s Soviet Union. Many features of Big Brother and Oceania mimic those of Stalin and the USSR. Through propaganda and media control, citizens glorify their leaders as their heroes and saviours. With the ability to manipulate the past, present, and future, this allows leaders to change history thus controlling their citizens’ ways of thought. Both Big Brother and Stalin carefully keep tight surveillance of citizens in order to monitor and keep track of all activities during all times. Through Orwell’s depiction of Big Brother, and the demonstration of Stalin’s rule, the two show us the horrors of totalitarianism and the control of information and history. “WAR IS PEACE FREEDOM IS SLAVERY IGNORANCE IS STRENGTH.” (Orwell 3). In 1984, The Party’s use of lies, myths, and false information control the thinking of the citizens. Propaganda increases the citizens’ morale and makes them think that what The Party does is always right. The Party’s slogan demonstrates the concept of “doublethink”. Orwell states “Doublethink means the power of holding two contradictory beliefs in one’s mind simultaneously, and accepting both of them.” (223). Through doublethink, the Party is able to force its subjects to accept any and all of its ideas, even if they are completely illogical.
Cited: Bio.com. A&E Networks Television. Web. 3 July 2015. "Falsification of History." Falsification of Photographs. Web. 3 July 2015. "How Did Joseph Stalin Use Propaganda to Manipulate People? - Homework Help - ENotes.com." Enotes.com. Enotes.com. Web. 3 July 2015. Orwell, George. 1984. Harlow: Penguin, 2003. Print. MLA formatting by BibMe.org.