Throughout history, composers have created copious ways of passage inviting audiences to explore their understandings of individual and collective human experiences, as well as expand their views of the world. Furthermore, these texts provide audiences with great insight into the anomalies and inconsistencies in human behavior. They invite the readers to see the world and its institutions differently, challenge their assumptions about society, or give means to reflect personally based on their particular lives and cultures. The dystopian novel, 1984, written by George Orwell explores both the collective and individual human experience of oppression, love, and fear by delving into complex and challenging ideologies and their manifestation in a hypothetical society. To a great extent, the text challenges ideas about political and personal oppression by inviting the audience into an alternate reality where individuals’ basic human rights are not only stripped from them, but the constant governmental surveillance overwhelms all aspects of their lives.
Oppression can be expressed in several different forms, whether it be interpersonal, institutional, or ideological, oppression affects a large spectrum of our modern society. Those who differ from the norm in categories of race, sex, origin, class, and other sectors usually find themselves alienated by their political and religious figures, situations reflecting this are seen throughout numerous times in history. This collective human experience of oppression is shown in 1984, bringing to light the effects and dystopian extremities of a corrupt totalitarian society that people in countries such as North Korea, Sudan, and Libya may have to endure. The novel invites readers to explore the world through a different perspective giving great insight into how others may live and how their actions and choices may affect their future. Orwell demonstrates how governmental powers can ultimately become corrupt resulting in the exploitation of fundamental human rights and principles. Citizens of ‘Oceania’ are under persistent surveillance and repeatably scrutinized by authorities through the ubiquitous signs reading “BIG BROTHER IS WATCHING YOU,” this symbolism reflects that of a dictatorial god-like power constantly monitoring people’s lives, the recurring use of this phrase presages its citizen’s that the party expects absolute compliance and commitment to their conventions. These conventions determine every aspect of life in Oceania, limiting its citizen's freedoms and rights. The indefinite reinforcement of these conventions invites readers to delve into the complex realm of this dystopian society and the effects it proclaims upon its citizens. Conversely, for some readers, 1984 further reinforces their depth of knowledge of contemporary issues that coincide with the challenges and ideologies that the novel manifests.
Save your time!
We can take care of your essay
- Proper editing and formatting
- Free revision, title page, and bibliography
- Flexible prices and money-back guarantee
Orwell pointedly incorporates the development of plot and characterisation throughout the novel inviting readers to undergo the individual human experience of love through an alternate dystopian reality. With recent debates surrounding same-sex marriage and its legalization, several governmental powers have put forth sanctions stating that such an act is rebellious and against all religious scripture. Winston’s relationship with Julia interrelates with issues such as this, evident by the oppressive behavior of the ‘INCSOC Party’ banning intimate relationships unless for means of procreation. Demonstrated from the perspective of Winston it is clear to see that a loving relationship is not only rebellious but also outright dangerous, this is reinforced through the repetition in the quote “Folly, folly his heart kept saying”, Winston states that the idea of hiding and expressing love with Julia is foolish because being caught would result in severe punishment. Through Orwell’s depiction of how love is cogitated as rebellious, readers begin to understand that certain sentiments can become debilitated and suppressed through the implantation of paranoia and self-censorship and how certain oppressive restrictions may affect the lives and fundamental rights of those around them.
Orwell additionally incorporates the emotion of fear to further delve into this horrific vision of a world. Through assumed contextual awareness of the behavior of totalitarian dictators such as; Joseph Stalin and Adolf Hitler, it is made clear that the symbolic figurehead ‘Big Brother’ and ‘The Party’ use fear as a way to instill order and obedience in their citizens. The individual human experience of fear is distinctively conveyed throughout the novel. 1984 is set in a society where citizens are at constant risk of incarceration, torment, and execution if they were to show any sign of doubting ‘Big Brother's’ authority. Citizens of ‘ Oceania’ often ‘self-police’ since “There was, of course, no way of knowing whether you were being watched at any given moment.” By having a constant fear of prosecution weighed against their shoulders, residents of Oceania illustrate the phycological effects of what’s known as the Foucauldian panopticon theory. Through this Orwell invites his readers to delve into a more centralized view of totalitarian realities and the phycological effects they instil.
It is evident through George Orwell’s novel, 1984, that composers go to a great extent in inviting their audiences to see the world differently through their representations of individual and collective human experiences. By making excellent use of plot development and characterization, Orwell has conveyed human experience through the form of love, fear, and oppression. Orwell delves into complex and challenging ideologies and their manifestation in ‘Oceania’s’ hypothetical society. Through this, he provides readers with exceptional insight into the anomalies and inconsistencies in human behavior and how the instilment of various proclamations and legalities affect them as a collective.
Stuck on your essay?
