A Dystopian Society in the Works of George Orwell

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Literature has always played an important role in presenting the hidden realities of the world in a context familiar to us. This in turn serves to conceptualize what we may not realize at first or what may be unseen by us. Dystopian literature is one such line of work that portrays how populations are controlled through media, kept ignorant and consequently in fear. The speculative fiction works of 1984 by George Orwell, Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury and The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood are all examples that highlight the role of these tools in maintaining effective control of a society. Perhaps the single most important and powerful control mechanism for these regimes is the control of the media. In 1984, all forms of media are directed by the state. Each and every room in the state has a ‘telescreen’, which spews propaganda at the general public. It can never be turned off; only dimmed. The telescreen spits out constant falsified economic figures, war victories, and renditions of the national anthem to instill patriotism in the residents of Oceania. Moreover, there is a daily ritual of a ‘Two-minutes Hate’ where citizens of Oceania must watch a two-minute film showing the party’s enemies, particularly Emmanuel Goldstein. Members are encouraged to yell, shout, and even throw things at the screen to show their hatred for the enemy. The film ends with an enemy soldier pointing the barrel of a gun at the audience. After the two-minute hate, the members turn to praising Big Brother and the party for saving them from such an enemy. The telescreen serves a dual purpose, as it is means of surveillance as well. Citizens are constantly being watched for any signs of treachery or thoughts not in line with the party’s views. As Winston states, there is no hiding from the screen, as it sees all and hears all: There was of course no way of knowing whether you
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