Power Of Words In George Orwell's Rhetoric

Throughout the history of literature, “words” have been of the utmost importance. This is clearly apparent in 1984 and Rhetoric. Though in different manners, both of these texts use the power of words to convey their respective points to the reader. George Orwell uses words in 1984 to emphasize the necessity of freedom of information and the freedom of speech in our society. In Rhetoric, Aristotle shows how words can be used to build and convey a strong argument using tactics such as ethos, logos, and pathos. Without the importance placed on words in these books, neither of them would have been as significant in the history of writing. 1984 brings a world of dystopia to reality. There is very little information available to the public in …show more content…
This is one way that this totalitarian government ensures that it will never be overthrown by rebels. The other main way the government controls the flow of information among the citizens is by rewriting history to suit the present. An example of this would be if one day the government announced a 20% increase in rations and the next day 15%, they would claim that the original number had always been 15%. By rewriting history, the citizens are never able to see fault in their government and thus have no reason to rebel. If freedom of information was an aspect of this society, Ingsoc would have likely been overthrown. In chapter seven of the book the main character, Winston Smith, says, “Until they [citizens] become conscious they will never rebel, and until after they have rebelled they cannot become conscious.” This could not be any closer to the truth in the world of 1984. Ingsoc’s goal is to gain as much power as possible with no regard for the citizens’ well being. One of the other most important points that shows the repression the people face and the power of words in 1984 is Newspeak. Newspeak