2009, Form B. Many works of literature deal with political or social issues. Choose a novel or play that focuses on a political or social issue. Then write an essay in which you analyze how the author uses literary elements to explore this issue and explain how the issue contributes to the meaning of the work as a whole. Do not merely summarize the plot.
As World War II came to a close, Communism and its ideals threatened the ‘free’ countries such as England and the US. George Orwell’s novel 1984 explores the political issues of Communism’s control over people’s lives. In 1984, Orwell used language and details to explore the oppressive political issues that dominate the book. This politically oppressive regime helps send the message of the dangers of communism.
The language used in 1984 has a lot of symbols. The telescreens are symbolic in that they are always present. One can never turn them off completely as they are always spurting news or propaganda about the Party. They also have a more sinister function of spying on the residents, watching for any misbehavior. This symbolizes to what extent a totalitarian government can abuse technology instead of putting it to good use and benefiting its civilians. It also supports themes throughout the novel such as the abuse of technology, the dangers of totalitarian governments, the control of information and psychological manipulation. Big Brother is another symbol that Orwell uses through out his novel. The words “BIG BROTHER IS WATCHING YOU” are posted on posters everywhere in Oceania. Big Brother is symbolic of the government and how its protective, in reference to brother, yet ominous, in reference to always watching. It is an obvious abuse of power by the government of the inalienable right of privacy.
Many details in the novel help push the political issue of Communism into the minds of its readers. Orwell uses such details as the government banning sex with people to really push into the minds of his readers just how far this government has gone and abused their power, how Communism is controlling people’s lives and that this could happen to them. Another detail is that by the end Winston loves Big Brother. Tortured for months and brainwashed, O’Brien finally makes Winston love Big Brother taking away the individuality treasured among people and his ability to think for himself. Both of these are fears that Orwell has about Communism that he is conveying to us.
Using the language and details of 1984, Orwell created political issues. Winston's love of Big Brother in the end strikes fear into anyone loving the rights that are enjoyed here in the US and in England. Orwell used 1984 to prompt the fears of communism.
Your choice of work for this assignment is capital. Though I though your thesis at first short, it appears to answer all the goals of the prompt simply.
ReplyDeleteYour topic sentence in the second paragraph could be more of a statement that you could subsequently prove as in the third paragraph; in its present form, it is very vague. There is also a lot in this paragraph; separating it into additional paragraphs would do the logical flow of the essay good.
Your statement on message is as simple and accurate as your thesis, but I worry that in its modest form it lacks in specificity that might give it more light; if you could elaborate on what the message is to the English demographic, I think it would be an overall benefit.
Nice job by the way.