In the dystopian novel 1984 by George Orwell the main message is fear and hate as a means of control. Orwell examines the sneaky ways governments create fear and hate among their people in order to gain or hold on to power. Fear and hate are ramped up by politician’s subgroups and governments propaganda is used to control people telling them that they need to be afraid. Hatred is the correct response to alleviate that fear with enough exposure the people can be convinced of anything and the telescreen subjects people to nearly constant exposure. This is shown by the use of similes and allusions.
The first of many literary devices is allusion. Allusion is a technique with which the author connects real events with real narrative without directly naming it as such. 1984 was written during the raise of communism in Europe, the novel is rife with allusion. Many of the sense in 1984 can be compared to Nazi Germany or Stalinist Russia. For example in chapter , Orwell describes the “Spies” a group of children whose purpose it is to gather information on members of the community and report misconduct to the party. This is an allusion to the Hitler Youth of Nazi Germany.
Another literary device used by Orwell is a simile. For example “He felt as though he were wandering in the forests of the sea bottom, lost in a monstrous world where he himself was the monster he was alone.” In the comparison of Winston to a monster, we might guess how alone it would feel to be on the wrong side of society. Winston is the outsider, where the wrong movies could mean death. Orwell uses a great many similes in 1984.
In 1984 the leaders of the dystopian society attempts to convince their citizens that they’re well cared for by the government. Every citizen knows they could be watched at any time. There are telescreens everywhere, through which higher ranking party members can watch and record their activities. According to the party this is for the betterment of the citizens and citizens who resist or disobey are labelled as traitors and soon disappear.
George Orwell wrote the book 1984 for a specific reason which is to show the impact a government can have on its citizens. How making people feel fear as a method of power and control. Without the citizens being afraid they will do what they want and not fear punishment. The government feels is everyone is constantly worrying about consequences they will obey the rules and to the party having everyone the same and following the laws is a perfect society.