1984 Privacy Essay

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One of the most important themes in the book 1984 is privacy. During the course of the novel, Winston, and all of the other citizens in Oceania, are constantly being watched by the government, Big Brother. Whether it is the notorious poster plastered all over the city telling its people “Big Brother is Watching You”, or the telescreen in every residents home; no has their privacy. George Orwell uses both the telescreen and Big Brother as symbols to rid Oceania’s population of their own privacy. In the world today, everyone has his or her own privacy, whether it be at home or at the workplace. In Oceania, however, there are telescreens allowing the Party to keep surveillance on every citizen at home and in the workplace. The telescreen…show more content…
The telescreens not only can watch the citizens, but they can also listen to what he or she is saying. Hidden microphones are often placed around the city to hear conversations as well. Winston and Julia had to be sure no microphones were hidden about in the areas they were occupying so that the Party would not figure out their affairs. Also, Thought Police agents go undercover and pose as normal citizens to help catch curious people that they believe have taken part in thoughtcrime. Mr. Charrington, the owner of the antique shop, was an undercover Thought Police agent who caught Julia and Winston in their secret room they rented out above his shop. The Spies encourage children to report thoughtcrime if they have witnessed it as well. Parsons’ daughter reports him to the Thought Police when he unknowingly talked ill of the Party in his sleep. Surprisingly, Parsons was proud of his daughter since she was so loyal to the Party and, to him, it shows how well he raised her (Orwell 233). These ways of surveillance should never take place. In Oceania, the citizens have to be 100% obedient at all times or they will be arrested and tortured. Without your own privacy, people basically cannot live the life they want to live because the government is always watching them and making sure they do not do anything against its beliefs. If I were in the same position as Winston, I would also rebel against the Party and Big

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