1984: Oppression Through Surveillance from "summary" of The George Orwell Collection by George Orwell
In 1984, people are constantly monitored and surveilled, making it difficult for individuals to freely express their thoughts and emotions. This creates an oppressive environment that stifles creativity and encourages conformity.- In his famous work 1984, George Orwell examines the effects of a totalitarian regime on its people. He paints a picture of a society where every citizen is monitored and oppressed by state surveillance.
- The protagonist, Winston Smith, represents the powerless position one can find themselves in when all basic liberties are stripped away.
- His personal struggles with a dead-end job and lack of access to information perfectly depict the despair many may feel under a well established authoritarian government.
- Political control is demonstrated through spies surveying their neighbours, and the constant threat of force if any resistance is shown.
- Despite his best efforts to rebel against the system, Winston is eventually broken down and brainwashed into accepting the status quo.
- This serves as both a warning to anyone trying to defy the party’s authority, and a cautionary tale about what could happen if we allow our freedoms to be taken from us.
