Role Of Authoritarianism In 1984 By George Orwell

The societies in his work are based on their corresponding government and authoritarian methods. In 1984, there is a motif of sheep which serves as a metaphor for society in that they follow anything the Party desires. Winston describes that Goldstein’s face “resembled the face of a sheep, and the voice, too, had a sheep-like quality.” (1984, 16) Having the face of sheep connotes that Goldstein is under the Party’s authoritative influence. Later in the novel, it is explained that there is no war between Eastasia and Eurasia. The Party wants society to have a common enemy because “A peace that was truly permanent would be the same as a permanent war.” (1984, 260) War helps maintain the unification of social structure because it provides society with a common enemy to oppose. Orwell portrays the effects of authoritarianism through the innocence of children. They were role-playing as Thought Police, but Winston had “an uneasy feeling, so vicious was the boy’s demeanour, that it was not altogether a game.” (1984, 30) Innocence tainted by authoritarianism emphasizes the extent to which the Party’s control reigns. Orwell’s inspiration of these “junior …show more content…
Major establishes at the beginning that animals’ “lives are miserable, laborious and short” (Animal, 3). The diction sets a depressing tone and foreshadows the theme of dystopia throughout the novel. Major continues by stating that “the very instant that our usefulness has come to an end we are slaughtered with hideous cruelty” (Animal, 3). Orwell’s choice of diction with “slaughtered” and “hideous cruelty” invoke a sense of despondency. The pigs are influenced by Man’s power and history repeats itself. The animals are trapped in a continuous paradox of authoritarian rule, emphasized with the pigs and men being indistinguishable. By consequence, they have oppressed and continue to lead miserable lives as