1984 - Big Brother Is Watching You
By: Tommy • Essay • 657 Words • May 2, 2010 • 1,744 Views
1984 - Big Brother Is Watching You
Ў°BIG BROTHER IS WATCHING YOUЎ± flashes out to the reader in capital letters. This slogan generally embodies the theme that the author is trying to convey. The darkness of the human nature, free will, and control are all the themes that are embedded within this piece of dark literature. The more we read on in the novel, the more we question the existence of Big Brother. Although physically absent, he still manages to instill constant fear with his presence in the peopleЎЇs mind.
1984 creates a world of totalitarianism in which communism is portrayed to its extreme. It is a world where there is only control. Mankind is the most intelligent beings on earth and it is within its powers to change its own surroundings. They hold great power that will always turn into a destructive force when left unchecked. Deep within the human heart, there lives a lingering darkness that can swallow the weak victims whole, but kept in control by those of strong-will. Everything that happens has to have a reason and here, in the novel, that reason is very clear. It is all about Power, the lust for Power that drives the ever growing darkness. The quest for control and domination is what holds the novel together.
Free will is suppressed to such an extent that not only devious actions are persecuted but thoughts that do not conform to the norm as well. The Party uses coercive and intimidating stimuli to control the citizensЎЇ independent thoughts. The presence of the telescreen in every citizenЎЇs home blasts a series of propaganda that promotes the image of the Party. It also monitors behaviors, every movement one makes is closely scrutinized by the Thought Police. The restriction of free will binds the mind to every command and saying issued by the Party. This is the PartyЎЇs true purpose, to incapacitate the mind so that it is incapable of independent thoughts and is only susceptible to outside ideas.
The sole purpose of the Party is to control people. The social restrictions and control is kept in place by that gnawing fear of the Thought Police. The psychological and physical manipulation that is constantly taking place is what the author wants