im pretty sure this should be here... but anyways i wrote a paper on the similarities between 1984 and relgion in general for my mormon english teacher lol!!! critique me as much as possible. i already handed it in, but i would like to know if anyone has anything to add or any comments on how bad it is. here goes. please comment.
George Orwell wrote the novel 1984 to point out numerous things that were happening at that moment in time. Long after the year 1984, people who read George Orwell’s work can make a good comparison from his writing to something that he may not have originally intended, such as religion. When comparing George Orwell’s inventions such as the telescreens, Big Brother, and double think to religion, many similarities arise. Three of the main similarities that are most distinct are the instillment of fear, the exploitation of ignorance, and the use of a figurehead.
Through the use of the telescreen, Big Brother can impress fear upon the people of 1984 and use them as instruments of his will. With the telescreen Big Brother can see and hear everything anyone ever does. This ensures that almost everyone follows the rules and tries to serve Big Brother. Without the telescreens, Big Brother would be powerless. He would have nothing to ensure himself that his people are following the rules and abiding by his jurisdiction. The people of 1984 are afraid of Big Brother because he can end their life at any moment without warning. It appears strange that someone would fear death in a world where your life quite literally means nothing. The value of life for the people in 1984 is not for its quality, but for its one purpose to serve and worship Big Brother and Oceania. Religion and its use of fear can ensure its domination over its members. Religion sets up a whole system that enables complete control over a member that believes. Many religions institute a higher being or entity. This entity is omnipotent, it has unlimited power. This means that the all powerful being is omnipresent, which is much like the telescreens. The telescreens act as Gods presence. Because of this entity or God, believers in God know that if they commit a sin they are likely to receive punishments, which is similar to the telescreens and the rule of Big Brother. Religion causes many to believe that they are at the mercy of a higher being and that he or she sees all of our actions. This causes fear in the believers and gives more control to the religious institution. When fear is implicated on someone, they will do what they can to halt the continuation of it. If a religion has no repercussions for wrongdoing, then nothing would keep people from committing sins. These consequences have a major influence on the citizens in 1984. The presence of God has the power to oversee everyone and influence everyone’s decisions. Precisely like the telescreens.
George Orwell’s invention of newspeak and use of ignorance made it possible for people to easily contradict themselves on a wide scale. Newspeak enables Big Brother to make everyone think what he wants them to. When the pressures of fear and self contradiction are added, it enables more opportunities for control. Through newspeak the innocent people of 1984 are ignorant of being controlled by the will of Big Brother. Newspeak erased words and made new ones to get rid of the old English. The goal of newspeak is to limit knowledge and create less of a possibility for rebellion. Because newspeak is Big Brothers way of communicating, any other way would be to contradict him. Because newspeak is trying to eliminate old English eventually there will be no way for anyone to explain anything negative about the party or its purpose. There would be no rebellion whatsoever. Through ignoring the truth, the people of 1984 know that they are safe. Big Brother will destroy anyone at the first hint of rebellion, or if they seem like they know too much. The bible is a good parallel to newspeak. The bible is the word of God, and cannot be challenged. The bible is an absolute fact, the most supreme law. To disregard or change the bible would be a sin. This ignorance of change is very similar to newspeak. The fear of God and committing sin eliminates the desire to disprove the word of God. Religion never acknowledges the possibility of the bible being wrong. If only the bible is right, then nothing else is. This displays clear religious ignorance that is used to control people even further.
A notable similarity that can be seen in 1984 is a comparison of Big Brother to God himself. The similarities are evident on many levels. One of the most evident is that both are most likely non-existent, yet they serve the same purpose. They act as a guiding light. They provide a purpose and an explanation for people. Their presence is always felt, but never seen. People need something to grab hold of and follow, and Big Brother and God provide that to them. The leadership styles of both are very similar. Both are fairly cruel to their followers and enemies alike, yet they give off an air of mercifulness. In the bible there are many examples that show God’s harshness. In Revelation 14:10 it reads “…the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone”. Another example is in Ezekiel 22:31where it reads “…I have consumed them with the fire of my wrath’ their own way have I recompensed upon their heads, saith the Lord God.” These excerpts are just a small example of the vengefulness and violence that God repeatedly showed in the bible. Big Brother also uses violence repeatedly throughout the novel, especially towards the end. This also ties back into the concept of fear. But perhaps the most striking and obvious similarity is the fact that they are both simply symbols in a position of power. They are both worshipped and loved, even without real reason. They are simply figures put in place out of necessity.
Many of the inventions and aspects that George Orwell made in 1984 can be compared to religion. Fear, doublethink and the exploitation of ignorance, the use of brainwashing, and figureheads are very effective elements to obtain control over a group of people. This is evident in religions around the world, and in the novel 1984.
