1984

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Submitted by freefortermpapers on 06/24/2008 03:00 PM

  • Category: Psychology
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1984

Invasion

Privacy is publicity. In George Orwell's classic novel, 1984, The Party's slogans, WAR IS PEACE, FREEDOM IS SLAVERY, and IGNORANCE IS STRENGTH are all contradictory statements that the subjects of Oceania live by. In the novel, this holds true for the privacy of Oceania's citizens. The electronic supervisor, the telescreen, the mind entering Thought Police, and the manipulation of the mind with Newspeak and doublethink are all ways in which the totalitarian government of Oceania invades the comrade's private lives.
The omnipresent telescreens are the book's most prominent symbol of privacy invasion. It is constantly monitoring its citizens and has capability to blast propaganda and observe the people of Oceania. For example, when Winston wakes up in the morning it is time for the "Physical Jerks". When caught by the instructress while he is not doing the full knee bend she exclaims:
"‘Smith!' screamed the shrewish voice from the telescreen. ‘6079 Smith W! Yes, you! Bend lower, please! You can do better than that. You're not trying. Lower, please! That's better, comrade. Now stand at ease, the whole squad and watch me.'(Orwell, 36)."
Furthermore, the people of Oceania are unable to turn off their telescreens so when one is able to it is quite a shocking matter. For instance when Winston and Julia went over to O'Brien's home for the first time, O'Brien turned off the telescreen without even thinking about it. Winston was taken aback by this and was so surprised that O'Brien had that power, which O'Brien explained to Winston that he has that privilege (Orwell, 169). Lastly, the telescreen, though the people of Oceania might be deceived, is everywhere. At the end of the novel when Julia and Winston are found above the store, "The picture had fallen to the floor, uncovering the telescreen behind it. ‘Now they can see us,' said Julia. ‘Now we can see you,' said the voice (Orwell, 221)." The people that are connected...

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