George Orwell

George Orwell’s 1984, “was identified by Geoffrey Stokes as the first major twentieth-century dystopian novel, which is a modern variation of the traditional utopian novel”(qt’d in World Literature Criticism 2574). The word “utopia” originates from the Greek language; “outopia, meaning ‘no place,’ or else ‘eutopia,’ meaning ‘good place,’ pointing to the idea that a utopia is a non-existent land of social perfection” (Frye 478). It therefore follows that an anti-utopia is the exact opposite of this, a place in which the condition of life is extremely bad. Orwell’s 1984 is anti-utopian in that it depicts a nightmare world where people have no rights; they are controlled by a totalitarian government which seeks power for its own sake and eliminates individual freedom. Through his portrayal of governmental surveillance, the prevention of relationships and the principles of a manipulative government system, Orwell reveals a true anti-utopian society.

To begin, the government in 1984 controls the thoughts and action of its citizens through surveillance. Whatever one does is monitored day and night by telescreens that can simultaneously send and receive video and voice. The telescreens are

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A nervous tic, an unconscious look of anxiety…”(65). Obviously, Winston feels that meeting with Julia is nearly impossible. The first time that they see each other after their rehabilitation process is ended, Julia gives Winston “a quick look of dislike” and says to him, “‘after that, you don’t feel the same towards the other person any longer’” (306). This is exemplified as a particular victim is about to be taken to room 101, the worst place of torture:

“Do anything to me! You’ve been starving me for weeks. Obviously, the Party does not concern itself with the public welfare as it eliminates it individual freedom and the right to privacy. Winston first discovers Julia’s feelings towards him after reading “I love you” on a tiny piece of paper that she had casually slipped into his hand (113). They come to find an antique shop in the proletariat section of the town where they can rent a room; “so long as they were actually in this room, they both felt, no harm could come to them” (158). Evidently, the people have to be extremely cautious or they will be caught and punished by members of the Party. By this means, the government is able to make itself look good, and protect itself from their injustices. By making it impossible for individuals to act upon their natural desires to love, the party is able to “prevent men and women from forming loyalties which it might not be able to control” (68).

The government also controls its citizens by preventing relationships. Man’s natural desire to love is obviously of no importance to the government. The Party’s intentions are further illustrated as Syme, a specialist in Newspeak, discusses his thoughts about the language with Winston:

“It’s a beautiful thing, the destruction of words…You haven’t a real appreciation of Newspeak Winston…Don’t you see that the whole aim of Newspeak is to narrow the range of thought? In the end, we will literally make thought crime impossible because there will be no words in which to express it.

Approximate Word count = 1849
Approximate Pages = 7 (250 words per page double spaced)

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