1984 Totalitarianism Essay

Imagine if a totalitarian leader like Hitler or Stalin rose to power today; what would the world be like? George Orwell (1903-1950) didn’t need to imagine this; he lived it. Exposure to the class system in boarding school, British colonialism, the India Imperial Police Force, and Nazism shaped his understanding of totalitarianism. Through these experiences, Orwell came to recognize the human tendency to idolize a leader, and the oppressive conditions that result. This prompted him to write his book 1984, published in 1949, four years after Hitler’s death. In his book, Orwell warns his readers of the unbearable consequences of totalitarian government, and he successfully demonstrates the detrimental effect on those living under such a government. …show more content…
This class is represented by the character Winston Smith, whose role is to facilitate Big Brother’s rule by rewriting history. Through Winston’s first person account, the reader sees the result of the abject fear that permeates every second and aspect of his existence. If he acts, thinks, loves, or even shops outside the will of Big Brother, he exposes himself to potential torture and death. Stripped of all choices, he is robbed of his own power and voice, and therefore, is left with nothing but to dutifully fabricate and follow the power and voice of Big Brother. Through this process, he is dehumanized. However, Winston re-finds his humanity in a forbidden loving relationship with a woman named Julia. This relationship intensifies Winston’s desire to be free in every area of his life, and gives him hope that Oceania can be set free from the totalitarian rule of Big Brother. This leads him to trust someone who should not be trusted, a man named O’Brien, who is a high ranking member of the Thought Police. O’Brien eventually arrests and tortures Winston with his biggest fear (rats), forcing him to reject Julia and replace his love for her with love for Big