Orwell’s Inspiration Adolf Hitler, Joseph Stalin, and Benito Mussolini; what do all of these names have in common? To some, they are the benevolent leaders that rescued their countries from obliteration. On the contrary, they may also be considered as the ruthless totalitarian rulers who were responsible for some of the most heinous events in history. However, for George Orwell, these powerful men were an inspiration. Throughout his entire life, Orwell had numerous "experiences that involved propaganda and totalitarian regimes" (Sedlak par. 1) and this motivated him to use their utopia to deliver a powerful message. Orwell was inspired by their regimes, not because he developed an admiration for them, but because he could use the example
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Governments used propaganda to make the public believe in a false reality. Whether it be on small issues or large ones, propaganda was meant to convince the public that the ruling power was almighty. In the world of Oceania, Winston Smith worked in the Records Department in the Ministry of Truth and was employed to rewrite history in the Party’s favour. Similarly, George Orwell “worked on propaganda for the BBC” (“George Orwell 1903-1950”). Altering the past was crucial because it made sure there was consistency throughout history. In Oceania, Big Brother used this numerous times when speaking about the economy and war. Allowing the state to have control over mass media made it possible for leaders to censor what goes through. “No publication, film, art, or music is allowed to exist without the permission of the state” (Littell 876). There were no songs in Oceania, except those that promoted the Party’s Hate Week. “The speeches, the shouting, the singing, the banners, the posters, the films, the waxworks, the rolling of drums and squealing of trumpets” (Orwell 187) marked the beginning of Hate Week and the immense amount of propaganda. This idea was drawn from how “their (the rulers’) power was and is demonstrated by huge parades at the Nuremberg Nazi party gatherings, or victory parades on the Red Square in Moscow, and also by communist parades in the North Korean capital Pyongyang” (Bemholz 105). Another quality that totalitarian leaders had that made propaganda possible was their convincing speeches. Hitler, along with many other dictators, was a powerful orator and could put “massive crowds into a frenzy with the power of his oratory” (“RULING THE TOTALITARIAN STATE: LEADER, ARMY, PARTY”). All throughout Oceania, Big Brother’s speeches and songs were heard, there was no escaping his influence and slowly the public began to trust every word he said. Posters and
Governments used propaganda to make the public believe in a false reality. Whether it be on small issues or large ones, propaganda was meant to convince the public that the ruling power was almighty. In the world of Oceania, Winston Smith worked in the Records Department in the Ministry of Truth and was employed to rewrite history in the Party’s favour. Similarly, George Orwell “worked on propaganda for the BBC” (“George Orwell 1903-1950”). Altering the past was crucial because it made sure there was consistency throughout history. In Oceania, Big Brother used this numerous times when speaking about the economy and war. Allowing the state to have control over mass media made it possible for leaders to censor what goes through. “No publication, film, art, or music is allowed to exist without the permission of the state” (Littell 876). There were no songs in Oceania, except those that promoted the Party’s Hate Week. “The speeches, the shouting, the singing, the banners, the posters, the films, the waxworks, the rolling of drums and squealing of trumpets” (Orwell 187) marked the beginning of Hate Week and the immense amount of propaganda. This idea was drawn from how “their (the rulers’) power was and is demonstrated by huge parades at the Nuremberg Nazi party gatherings, or victory parades on the Red Square in Moscow, and also by communist parades in the North Korean capital Pyongyang” (Bemholz 105). Another quality that totalitarian leaders had that made propaganda possible was their convincing speeches. Hitler, along with many other dictators, was a powerful orator and could put “massive crowds into a frenzy with the power of his oratory” (“RULING THE TOTALITARIAN STATE: LEADER, ARMY, PARTY”). All throughout Oceania, Big Brother’s speeches and songs were heard, there was no escaping his influence and slowly the public began to trust every word he said. Posters and