for Teachers for Schools for Working Scholars for College Credit
for Teachers for Schools for Working Scholars for College Credit
Copyright
Course Navigator
1984 as a DystopiaNext Lesson 

Totalitarianism in 1984

Chapter 2 /  Lesson 13   Transcript
Try it risk-free for 30 days

An error occurred trying to load this video.

Try refreshing the page, or contact customer support.

Coming up next: 1984 as a Dystopia

You're on a roll. Keep up the good work!

Take Quiz Watch Next Lesson
 Replay
Your next lesson will play in 10 seconds
  • 0:00 Totalitarianism and…
  • 1:37 Key Elements of…
  • 2:07 Control of Information
  • 2:53 Physical and…
  • 3:48 Control of Technology
  • 4:58 Lesson Summary
Save Save Save

Want to watch this again later?

Log in or sign up to add this lesson to a Custom Course.

Log in or Sign up

Timeline
Autoplay
Autoplay
Speed
Speed

Recommended Lessons and Courses for You

Lesson Transcript
Instructor: Charles Kinney, Jr.
George Orwell's ''1984''is still one of the most well-known novels about totalitarianism, an overused word that is actually quite scary when you think about it. In this lesson, we'll go over specific references to totalitarianism in ''1984'' and its relation to real-world events.

Totalitarianism and Its Use in 1984

Some people joke that they live in a house with totalitarian parents or a dorm that is a totalitarian state. But true totalitarianism is not some angry parents cutting up credit cards and taking away the Prius for a couple of weeks, or the dorm resident assistant writing you up for partying a little too hard last Friday night. Totalitarianism in an ugly form of governmental control and the total or near total control of the actions, lives, desires and events in its citizens' lives.

Let's look at totalitarianism and how it is examined in George Orwell's famous novel, 1984. George Orwell wrote 1984 in 1949, after seeing the devastating effects of World War II and the horrifying totalitarianism of the time. Adolph Hitler's Nazi Germany, the Soviet Union under Josef Stalin, Benito Mussolini's Italy, and later China under Mao Tse Tung are clear examples of totalitarian states that existed in the early part of the 20th century. Mussolini defined the mindset of totalitarian states when he said, 'All within the state, nothing outside the state, nothing against the state.'

By such definition, North Korea and Eritrea today could be defined as totalitarian states, but there are signs of totalitarianism even in rich, liberal democracies. When we talk about totalitarianism in George Orwell's 1984, and by extension totalitarian states, there are certain elements and tactics these states use to control citizens.

Key Elements of Totalitarianism in 1984

The key element of totalitarianism in Orwell's 1984 is Big Brother. Big Brother, which represents the government, is everywhere. In nearly every aspect of daily life, Big Brother controls what you do, think, eat, and even feel. Big Brother controls everything; information, history, physical, and psychological needs. He is a friend and the enemy of your enemy. He will protect you and save you.

Control of Information

All information, including history, is controlled by the government in 1984. By controlling the past, the government controls the present. At the rally, the government switches sides in its never-ending war with East Asia and Eurasia. Citizens panic, realizing they had made the wrong signs. Winston's job at the Ministry of Truth, which is in fact dedicated to lies and mistruth in classic Doublespeak, is to rewrite history so that it serves the party.

Think of how Nazi Germany invaded the Soviet Union after previously allying themselves with the Soviet Union and signing a non-aggression treaty. Propaganda and forever rewriting the past to serve the present and the future, is presented as information and news in 1984. If Big Brother says it, it must be true.

To unlock this lesson you must be a Study.com Member.
Create your account

Register to view this lesson

Are you a student or a teacher?

Unlock Your Education

See for yourself why 30 million people use Study.com

Become a Study.com member and start learning now.
Become a Member  Back
What teachers are saying about Study.com
Try it risk-free for 30 days
Description

Earning College Credit

Did you know… We have over 200 college courses that prepare you to earn credit by exam that is accepted by over 1,500 colleges and universities. You can test out of the first two years of college and save thousands off your degree. Anyone can earn credit-by-exam regardless of age or education level.

To learn more, visit our Earning Credit Page

Transferring credit to the school of your choice

Not sure what college you want to attend yet? Study.com has thousands of articles about every imaginable degree, area of study and career path that can help you find the school that's right for you.

Research Schools, Degrees & Careers

Get the unbiased info you need to find the right school.

Browse Articles By Category

Browse an area of study or degree level.

Recommended Articles
You are viewing lesson Lesson 13 in chapter 2 of the course:

 Back To Course

1984 Study Guide

9 chapters | 79 lessons

{{courseNav.course.topics.length}} chapters | {{courseNav.course.mDynamicIntFields.lessonCount}} lessons | {{course.flashcardSetCount}} flashcard set{{course.flashcardSetCoun > 1 ? 's' : ''}}

Ch 2. Literary Analysis of 1984
Ch 3. Slogans & Quotes in...

Totalitarianism in 1984 Related Study Materials

Create an account to start this course today
Try it risk-free for 30 days!
Create an account

Explore our library of over 79,000 lessons

Browse by subject
Support