HSC Task 1 - English Advanced 1984 Essay PDF

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Essay on prescribed text 1984...

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Question: Texts represent the challenges and complexities of human experience, enabling responders to gain new insights Explore this statement with close reference to 1984

Texts have the unique ability to explore the complex nature of human experiences and the challenges that an external context may impose on the individual experience within a collective. In particular, Nineteen Eighty-Four (1984) by George Orwell explores how collective unconsciousness can lead to the suppression of the individual within a bleak and oppressive world. Through mirroring the tyrannical regimes of Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union, Orwell creates a world crippled with fear and devoid of what truly makes a meaningful and purposeful life. This is in order to encourage the responder to truly cherish individual connections of love, privacy and friendship and to safeguard these poignant values against its violations. 1984 remains prescient in the current political and social landscape and provides a warning against the potential dangers of increased surveillance and control by government or corporational authorities. In the bleak and oppressive world of 1984, Orwell constructs a mental condition of collective conformity that is fuelled by an experience of fear, paranoia and suspicion. The citizens of Oceania are plagued by the omnipresence of telescreens and the recurring caption of “BIG BROTHER IS WATCHING YOU,” in that there is “no escape.” Furthermore, through organisational events such as Two Minutes Hate it is evident that the leading Party is metaphorically “drowning...consciousness,” and encourages participation in Anti-sex leagues and feeds on the fear of the perpetual state of warfare. Much like Stalin in the Soviet Union, 1984 is built on the personality cult of ‘Big Brother’ a figurehead that mocks the meaning of fraternal solidarity. Despite the familial connotations of ‘brother,’ the function of Big Brother is, in fact, a means by which the Party is able to secure sole loyalty and obedience. The Big Brother is the “focussing point of love, fear and reverence, an emotion that is more easily felt toward an individual than an organisation.” By providing a false sense of security to its citizens the Party is able to ensure ongoing unconsciousness, as “orthodoxy is unconsciousness.” This is depicted through the characterisation of Parsons, who is representative of the “swallowers of slogans.” He is described by Winston, the conscious protagonist, as an ‘eyeless creature,’ which symbolically suggests that those who are unconscious become blind to the manipulation and control of the Party. This is most evidently portrayed when the people of Oceania ‘swallow’ the change in enemies throughout the novel. Therefore, by creating a state of unconsciousness in 1984 Orwell is able to highlight the complexity of human behaviour especially when regarding the collective experience. By formulating a world of fear Orwell depicts that totalitarianist governments thrive on conformity which ultimately leads to a life where it is “more natural to exist moment to moment.” As a result, the responder is invited to challenge authorities in their own world in order to preserve consciousness and its role in fostering connection and understanding. It is through consciousness that the need for connection to establish meaning and purpose in life is nourished. Through the characterisation of Winston who is, in fact, an anomaly in

the world of 1984, Orwell highlights how one who is aware thirsts for a life that has value, however in suppressive worlds such as those ideologies present during World War 2, this innate desire is not possible. By structuring the dystopian novel into three parts the stages of Winston’s development is emphasised. The motif of the varicose ulcer on Winston’s ankle provides a visual representation of how connection can lead to a life that has meaning. In part one of the novel the ulcer is a depiction of Winston’s suppression of humanity which “itche(s) unbearingly.” However, after forming a loving and intimate relationship with Julia, a representation of the ‘ancient times’ that were governed by values of ‘love, privacy and friendship,’ Winston has a renewed spirit of life. At the prospect of love and understanding a ‘desire to stay alive’ is fostered within Winston and as a result of his new outward individual expression his ulcer becomes a mere ‘stain on the ankle.’ However, in the final part of the novel, this imagery of healing and newfound hope in life is diminished by the horrific torture that Winston endures both physically and psychologically in Room 101. There his ulcer is an ‘inflamed mass’ that symbolises his descent into suppression of individuality and humanity. His only hope during this time is his connection to Julia. However, even this connection is not enough to withstand the inherent human instinct of self-preservation. The true nature by which the Party is able to control the mind is depicted when Winston betrays Julia. By turning Winston’s greatest fears against him he is unable to remain loyal to Julia and cries “Do it to Julia! Tear her to pieces, strip her to the bones.” This ultimate betrayal portrays to the responder that even our most treasured individual connections to our most dear loved ones can be severed in a world of oppression and hegemonic control. Winston’s demise at the end of the novel, as shown through the metaphorical “long-hoped-for” bullet to the brain depicts his fall into “consciously induced unconsciousness.” Where he has become “hollow” no longer human and another number who conforms to the Party as demonstrated by “He loved Big Brother.” Orwell denies the responder and Winston a cathartic ending in order to create a stark warning that dogmatic regimes strip humanity to the bones of self-preservation devoid of connections to others, meaning or purpose. In conclusion, 1984 is an exploration of how human experience is complex in nature. Despite the innate craving for connection the will of survival triumphs in a world of oppression and fear. Orwell’s didactic purpose acts as a warning against violations of humanity that arises from controlling regimes such as those present in fascist and communist ideologies. Orwell encourages the reader to value individual expression and connection as a source of meaning in life in order to safeguard privacy, love and friendship against an upcoming world of technological advancements and invasive powers. Thus providing new insight into the greater world....