It´s easy enough to find literature referring to restrained political periods, but this theme is thoroughly analized in all of Orwell´s literary works. In particular, it is backed and then clearly seen in Orwell´s well known 1984, where in first place the social system is portrayed by cutting down on peoples´s rights, both individually and collectively.
Some basic liberties, or rigths which shouldn´t be denied to anyone in society are completely annihilated. Those rights which we tend to take for granted, freedom of speech, liberty of press, freedom of worship, the right of privacy, feelings, etc. Each and everyone of these rights featured in their lives are under control at all times. Neither does there exist the freedom of assembling together, any form of meetings is denied, which means that social consciousness is lost, so people can´t be enriched by the contributions of each individual.Imagine a society where freedom of assembly exists, individuals joining together, through interests or beliefs, people who have the right to assemble; repeat right as a right and not as a priviledge. In any group a hierarchy exists, more or less rigid, where other members of the group have to toe the line, while others try to obtain a certain rank or post.
The really important factor is that within this group each member will conserve his or her own identity. These characteristics, ideas and beliefs are the ones that individuals will contribute to a particular group. In this way, although a hierarchy exists the group will be governed on democratic principles, enrichening for everyone.This is precisely what the society decribed in Orwell´s 1984 lacks, the right of citizens to assemble freely, individuality is boosted till incredible and extreme heights, everything functions on what "The Party" orders. Without the freedom of meeting, press and liberty of expression we reach the total abolition of belonging to any group.
The characters in Orwell´s 1984 are aware that they belong to a certain social class, with certain obligations, but nothing more. Socializing isn´t favoured at all, so all the mutal enrichment which these relations leads us to, is lost. In other words, no relationship between two or more individuals is established except in the case of Julia and Winston. On the other hand, if we look at the relationship inside the families we can see that it is more coexistant than familiar.
In the book, the relationship of the couple Julia and Winston is one of enrichment, sexual and intimate, which is considered a great error within the system and "The Party".
If we analize the relationship of these two characters with their acquaintances, we realize they have established within this society what one could describe as a very hollow relation. There is mutual distrust among them, formed from their tender infancy due to the fact that inside the educational system the values are those imposed by "The Party": no double thinking nor to perform any impure act thought to be impure of course by "The Party". If any impure act is discovered, it is to be reported immediately to the"Thought Police" whether the offender is a relative or a friend and at the same time one has to feel very proud of it openly, commenting about the act.Distrust grows as in each moment of life someone tries to find the error of another person.
It becomes clearer that in a community with these characteristics there is no feeling of belonging as there is no trust between the members of this society.When referring to the system imposed by the Party, we aren´t just speaking about the Party itself, but rather the supposed personality which is at its head, because we haven´t got to forget that we are dealing with an absolutist hierarchical society. So, obviously, a leader should exist, and in this case "Big Brother".
All totalitarian leaders impose their image as a clear testimony of their presence in veryday life, reminding the people that leaders are not only alive but also that their system is well established in society.
Meanwhile, in 1984 the image of this supposed leader is found printed in every way, from the typical poster to the insignificant calender. The difference between the above mentioned leader is that "Big Brother" has never been seen in public events, which produces doubt of his existence. This idea of uncertainty of leadership cannot be accepted by "The Party", who established leadership of "Big Brother" as an unquestionable fact.At the begining of the novel, the author draws the attention of the reader towards Big Brother´s image, which is depicted in every possible place and in every possible way, which could lead us to a determined historical and political comparison of certain communistic leader. Perhaps this comparision is unimportant, while the outstanding factor is the ideology and imagery which underlies in this type of social system.
As in past times the Church used the imagery to achieve determined aims, so did "The Party".
Its omnipresent banners are imposed effectively through a Machiavellian system resulting in a community with unquestionable doubts, over its imagery in leadership. This controled and restrained society blindly follows all "The Party´s" rules and regulations, taking one of the following choices. One, following the rules or two, completely denying the system. The first brain washed group doesn´t go free from punishment because, while dreaming, they reveal their most hidden or true thoughts, so even the most passionate devotees to "The Party´s" system are sooner or later caught in the trap!.In second place, we find those citizens who bravely decide to oppose the system, becoming a member of the supposed brotherhood, which really will lead them into a well set trap designed and organised by the all powerful "Party".
In both cases, sooner or later, errors are made, citizens are brain washed, punished and then once again returned into society wher they will become the greatest believers of "The Party", knowing therefore the consequences of commiting mistakes, the majority of the culprits will unquestinably follow "The Party´s" scheme.
So, it seems that in a sane and democratic society, what has been stated in reality is not considered democratic or politically correct. Perhaps, that is why Orwell wanted to reflect the unwholesome and putrid enviroment which surrounded certain absolutist states; while at the same time, he also depicts the post war society, which coincided with the publishing of the book.
The vision of this totalitarian society will change depending on when and where and how the book is interpreted. When the book was published it had great repercusions in democratic societies, although on the other hand, due to its political views and ideas the book was censured and rejected by various communist countries.
For the everyday reader, the interest in 1984 will always be constant, because as one knows in the twinkling of any society led by a type of "Big Brother" leader, radical political or social changes can happen suddenly. An argument in support of this aproach, is that we have to clearly distinguish how Orwell´s society was, how this and other absolutist regimes are mirrored in the book, and what second readings we can give to the novel in a democratic and non democratic society, both looked at from an up to date and actual point of view; in other words, Orwell´s political beliefs marked his life and literary works.
After any conflict or war, due to a social, political and enviromental atmosphere, a literary post-war school is always created, as was Orwell´s and Elliot´s case. Orwell was a convinced and radical socialist, even taking part in the Spanish Civil War. We know that he was deeply affected by this war, which is reflected in his Homage to Catalonia. Later, returning to England he found himself involved in a pre-second World War atmosphere, where he suffered all the consequences of shortage of food, ration books, difficulty of finding everyday products, etc. In his own life and his book, the black market, despised and forbidden in society, reflects the lack of goods and the way of survival at different social levels, because in many occasions is the only way for obtaining first hand but not easily obtainable goods.
In this hierarchical pseudo-socialist society, everyone enjoys the same material benefits, for example, they all live in similar houses, but do not have the same quality of live. The "Inner Party" members and civil servants, due to their rank have easier access to quality goods.
We find ourselves before a contradiction, are we speaking about a socialist community or a dictatorship of the proletariat?. We observe a clear distinction between the two classes. A lower class with no priviledges and an upper class who benefits from some advantages. Both social groups are controled by "Big Brother" and "The Party".If anyone strays from the flock they will be driven back and finally eliminated, as submissivness and not rebelion is the trait which marks this type of society. Nowadays, the solution to a restrained and controled regime with the above features would not be seen as fair and whence a solution should be found. Solutions could be as follows, in first place governments would try a diplomatic solution, and if it didn´t work, governments would probably have to give it a military solution, being this the case of the old Yugoslavia. Therefore, we can deduce that the underlying topic in the book, was, is, and will have maximum pre-eminence, and as we have said before, it happens and it could happen anywhere at any time.
All these factors, lead us to think that in this dominating system any kind of freedom has been wiped out, this is the reason why Winston and Julia carry out a series of acts to free themselves from this oppression. These libertarian acts are focused to achieve a complete rupture with the system. This couple doesn´t realize that the phrase "Big Brother is watching you" is not a metaphore but a truth, as a twenty four hour observation takes place. This alertness leads to the annihilation of the human being, as Winston and Julia after fighting against the community are discovered, punished, corrected and introduced once again into society depending on "The Party´s" decision.
If "The Party" is capable of destroying these two characters, the system is also capable of annihilating the rest of the commnunity. So what they really want, is total and absolute power over the citizens, manipulating them in every possible way. This nowadays, would be considered a dictatorship. Thanks to the negative experiences which several countries have experienced with similar systems, people today worldwide try to avoid a dictatorial regime.
Another typical characteristic of dictatorship is the image cult manipulated to convict the masses. In the context of the book, however, is illustrated the contradiction in respect to by the inferior class. The image of "Big Brother" and that of the civil servants who believe in this image or those who deny its existence. These traitors who don´t believe have to be convinced of their mistake. They have to die believing in "Big Brother" not as martyrs fighting for a noble cause, and at he same time becoming seeds of insurrection and discontent for all future generations. This Machiavellian system could be qualified as effective transforming the lies of "The Party" into a unique and great universal truth.
For this reason, the Minister of Love is created. As in the case of Winston and Julia O´Brien becomes the redeemer. For this "The Party" obtains the absolute power over society just as it has been planned from the outset, power, and the power of total domination over mankind, obtaining therefore the complete alienation over this society.
If we consider this problem nowadays, a similar system would be seen as an absurd, although in some concrete cases, one could say that there are still people who are trying to establish the same or similar regime.
© Copyright 1998-1999 R. Marcos Doménech Padbury.
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