George Orwell’s 1984 is especially concerned with the power of language. Winston Smith is aware of this power through his work at the Ministry of Truth. Winston spends his entire workday rewriting information to make it fit whatever new truth becomes current that particular day, or even that hour. The Party’s slogans employ paradoxes that are supposed to make people think, but as all the slogans are so contradictory, no one ever analyzes their illogical construction. Oceania is constantly at war, so the key slogan “War is peace” is especially relevant in the society Orwell invented.
The other slogans similarly post that opposites are equal: “Freedom is slavery” and “Ignorance is strength.” When Winston questions his work and the imposition of these absurd statements, he awakens to the power of language and simultaneously to his power as an individual person who can effect change. Even when he is not communicating with others about his awakening, however, the power of language is connected to his downfall. In Oceania, even to formulate a negative idea is not allowed but is considered “thoughtcrime.”
Monday, October 28, 2019
"Engaging texts represent human experiences in powerful ways." How does 1984 explore this statement, particularly in reference to the theme of language?
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