"1984"

Paper Summary:

This paper looks at George Orwell's work, "1984," and particularly focuses on the depiction of the totalitarian regime. It discusses the purpose of this work and draws allusions between Orwell and Winston Smith to attempt to better understand the message of the text. It examines language, theme, symbolism and the social, historical and political context of the novel.

From the Paper:

"The last image of Winston with 'two-gin scented tears' trickling down his face as he realises he has learnt to love Big Brother, is the haunting conclusion that perhaps the reader did not expect. But it is the conclusion which gives the novel much of its power. The totalitarian government embodied in characters like O'Brien and the Young Spies have been victorious and Winston's fight for change, for individuality and for freedom has been lost and his efforts in vain. He has become what he despised, a loyal and loving member of the Party. The reader is left to view the world around them. Even today, over fifty years after its publication and over twenty years after the date of 1984, its underlying message is still relevant - human freedom is the most precious principle of life and every effort must be made to preserve this. In regimes across the world even today in China, North Korea and indeed at home this freedom is being challenged. Just as the Party controlled and restricted Winston's movements, actions and even his thoughts to such an extent his entire identity was reshaped, governments across the world seek to do the same."

Sample of Sources Used:

• York Notes, Notes on Nineteen Eighty Four edited by Professor A.N Jeffares & Professor Suheil Bushrei Longman York Press, 1983
• Longman Study Texts, Nineteen Eighty Four edited by Linda Cookson, Longman, 1983
• Borman, Gilbert Cliff Notes: Orwell's Nineteen Eighty Four, Hungry Minds, 2000
• Thomas, Edward, Orwell, Oliver & Boyd, Edinburgh & London, 1965
• Eisenberg, Michael Human Activity, Bloombury, 1998

More papers on "1984":

• Book Review # 74481 : "Orwell's Vision in '1984'"
• Comparison Essay # 73704 : "Orwell's "1984" and American Society"
• Comparison Essay # 71032 : "Orwell's "1984" and Freedom of Thought"
• Analytical Essay # 921 : "George Orwell's Novel "1984": The Paradoxical Government"

APA Citation:

MLA Citation: