1984 Overview

Genre and Purpose 1984 is a dystopian novel wherein Orwell offers a warning against the dangers of totalitarianism in Europe and across the globe. Bear in mind that dystopian novels offer criticism and warning about social trends through exaggerated, worst-case scenarios. Orwell warns against: Invasions of privacy through constant surveillance. Corruption of human emotions. The control of language and information. Forced repression of individual thought and expression.

Characteristics of Dystopian Society Propaganda is used to control the citizens of society. Information, independent thought, and freedom are restricted. A figurehead or concept is worshipped by the citizens of the society. Citizens are perceived to be under constant surveillance. Citizens have a fear of the outside world. Citizens live in a dehumanized state. The natural world is banished and distrusted. Citizens conform to uniform expectations. Individuality and dissent are bad. The society is an illusion of a perfect utopian world.

Types of Dystopian Control Corporate control: One or more large corporations control society through products, advertising, and/or the media. Examples include Minority Report and Running Man. Bureaucratic control: Society is controlled by a mindless bureaucracy through a tangle of red tape, relentless regulations, and incompetent government officials. Examples in film include Brazil. Technological control: Society is controlled by technology—through computers, robots, and/or scientific means. Examples include The Matrix, The Terminator, and I, Robot. Philosophical/religious control: Society is controlled by philosophical or religious ideology often enforced through a dictatorship or theocratic government.

1984 Main Characters Winston Smith: A member of the Party; a worker at the Ministry of Truth with a nagging sense that something is wrong with society who takes action, hoping to find others who share his beliefs. Big Brother: The figurehead of the Party; he is an almost godlike omniscient and omnipresent entity in the society of 1984. Emmanuel Goldstein: The figurehead of the true enemy of the Party; it is rumored that he heads a group of underground dissidents know only as The Brotherhood. O’Brien: A member of the Inner Party who Winston thinks may not be truly devout to the cause of the Party. The dark-haired girl (name TBA): A member of the Party; a member of the Junior Anti-Sex League; Winston feels she represents all that is wrong with society and the Party.

1984 Society The world is divided into three major superpowers that are constantly at war with each other. Oceania (where Winston lives; includes London and Airstrip One) Eurasia Eastasia The society in Oceania is divided into three groups. The Inner Party small ruling class; powerful; educated The Party larger, though still fairly small middle-class workers; somewhat educated The Proletariat by far the largest segment of the population; low-class workers referred to as “Proles” in the novel; uneducated