The Dangers of Totalitarianism George Orwell Essay

Hiding in the shadows yet standing in full view, the signs of totalitarianism and the dangers that accompany it in 1984 are everywhere. Orwell is able to paint a frighteningly realistic picture of the all-consuming monster that is a totalitarian state. It tries to hide its negative traits by covering them up with promising lies that bring a good public image to the state. When a totalitarian style of government is employed, it gains control over every aspect of life for any unlucky citizen or bystander who happens to come under its reigns. George Orwell demonstrates his theme of Totalitarianism and the dangers thereof; illustrating itself throughout the entire story through everything from obvious signs such as the constant monitoring of†¦show more content†¦Ignorance leads to a cause and effect situation where â€Å"Until they become conscious they will never rebel, and until after they have rebelled they cannot become conscious.† (61) When the people lose their abi lity to be conscious of what is happening in their government, the government can continue to push the people in whatever direction it chooses. Another key part in the scheme of totalitarianism is terror reign. Terror reign is where a government uses great force to make the people fear for their lives and in turn, do whatever the state says to do. In the case of the society in 1984, the state which took the name â€Å"Big Brother† (5) takes control of every aspect of life for every citizen in the nation. Control over a nation such as this one requires support from the civilian police as well as a special force called the â€Å"Thought Police† (24) who are similar to the CIA or the Secret Service, doing the state’s dirty work quietly and quickly. Thought crime, it is the act of having a thought that is negative towards the state, and in a totalitarian world, where the power lays solely in the political leaders, even thoughts are monitored. When a thought appears that could be potentially harmful, the Thought Police are deployed to dispose of the threat. Can a thought really be a crime? Yes, it can; at least it can in the minds of the political leaders calling the shots. In the world found in 1984, there is not a singleShow MoreRelated George Orwells 1984: Unmasking Totalitarianism1749 Words   |  7 Pageshand, George Orwell stood in direct opposition. 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Through the themes in 1984, George Orwell demonstrates that a dystopian society created by totalitarian rule can infiltrate the minds of its citizens through various mediums. The famous novel falls into