1984

             This blog, inspired by a thought-provoking activity assigned by Dr. Dilip Barad, delves into key insights from two video analyses. By examining these videos, we have gained a deeper and more nuanced understanding of 1984 and its broader themes. Click here

1984


Video:1 "God is Power":


              In 1984, George Orwell includes references to God, which may seem unusual because the society in the novel—Oceania—is strictly atheistic. The ruling Party does not allow religion, and its leader, Big Brother, is treated almost like a god himself. Orwell, known for being critical of organized religion, deliberately introduces the idea of "God" in a world where faith has been erased.  

             The word "God" is mentioned about eight times in the novel, but it only appears late in the story. One of the most important moments is when O’Brien, a powerful member of the Party, tells Winston, "God is power." This phrase reflects the Party’s belief that ultimate power is the only thing that matters. In Oceania, there is no higher moral authority—no traditional God, no natural laws, only the Party’s control.   

              This idea connects deeply to the novel’s main themes: surveillance, propaganda, and totalitarianism. The Party controls every aspect of life, including truth and reality itself. By saying "God is power," O’Brien is reinforcing the idea that power, not morality or faith, determines what is right. This highlights Orwell’s warning about how unchecked power can corrupt leaders, destroy individual freedom, and turn a government into a tool of oppression and manipulation.


Video:2 "Critique of Religion"


             This video takes a deeper look at 1984 by George Orwell, arguing that the novel doesn’t just criticize totalitarian governments but also organized religion, especially Catholicism. The speaker explores how Orwell’s depiction of the Party’s control mirrors religious structures, showing how both systems can manipulate people’s beliefs and actions.  


Main Themes & Ideas


1. 1984 as Both Political and Religious Critique 

               Most people see 1984 as a novel about government oppression, but the video argues that Orwell also critiques religious institutions. The Party’s control methods resemble religious practices, suggesting that Orwell believed power—whether political or religious—could be used to dominate people’s lives.  

2. The Three Superstates & Religion 

The novel divides the world into three superstates:  


             The speaker suggests these represent the three major Abrahamic religions:  

              Each religion, like the superstates, has its own beliefs, conflicts, and power struggles. Just as the superstates are always at war to maintain control, religious groups have historically been in conflict over their doctrines and influence.  

3. Confession & Guilt as Tools of Control

              In 1984, people must confess to “thoughtcrimes,” even if they haven't done anything wrong. This is similar to religious confessions, where people admit sins to a priest. The Party, like religious institutions, uses confession to enforce guilt and submission.  

             By making people confess, the Party (like the Church) doesn’t just punish them—it reshapes their thinking, ensuring they remain obedient and afraid. This reinforces the idea that controlling someone’s beliefs is more powerful than physical punishment alone.  

4. Big Brother as a God-Like Figure 

             Big Brother is always watching, just like God in religious teachings. People are taught to love and fear him at the same time. The Party uses Big Brother as an all-seeing presence to ensure loyalty, much like religious followers are expected to be devoted to their deity.  

            This comparison suggests that Orwell saw similarities between political propaganda and religious faith—both demand unquestioning belief in an authority figure.  


5. The Party's Pyramid Structure and Religious Hierarchies 

               This structure resembles religious organizations, especially in Christianity, where power is centralized (e.g., Pope, bishops, priests, and laypeople). Orwell may be suggesting that power, whether in politics or religion, often works the same way—through rigid hierarchies that keep the majority under control.  

6. Room 101 as Purgatory

            Room 101, where people are tortured until they fully submit to the Party, is compared to purgatory—a place in some religious beliefs where souls suffer before being "cleansed" and allowed into heaven.  

             In both cases, suffering is used to "purify" a person. In 1984, Room 101 forces people to betray their deepest beliefs and accept the Party as the ultimate authority. Similarly, in religious doctrine, suffering can be seen as a test of faith or a way to earn redemption.  

7. Orwell’s Personal Criticism of Religion

             Orwell’s negative view of organized religion came partly from his experiences during the Spanish Civil War. He saw the Catholic Church support authoritarian regimes, which made him distrustful of religious institutions. He believed that both governments and religious organizations could use power to oppress people rather than liberate them.  


Key Takeaways

             1984 is not just about political dictatorship—it also critiques how religious institutions can manipulate and control people.  

               The Party’s methods—surveillance, confession, and punishment—mirror religious practices, suggesting Orwell saw similarities between political and religious power.  

                 The novel warns that any system demanding total obedience, whether political or religious, can become oppressive.  


Conclusion:

This analysis encourages us to think beyond 1984 as just a book about government surveillance. It suggests that Orwell was making a broader point about how power works in all institutions, including religion. The video makes us reflect on how authority figures—whether politicians or religious leaders—can shape beliefs, enforce obedience, and use fear to maintain control. It enges us to question who holds power over us and how they use it.


References:

DoE-MKBU. (2023c, February 21). God is Power | 1984 | George Orwell [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cj29I_MU3cA

DoE-MKBU. (2023b, February 21). Critique of Religion | 1984 | George Orwell [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zh41QghkCUA

Orwell, G. (1984). 1984. In Planet eBook [Book]. https://www.planetebook.com/free-ebooks/1984.pdf



Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Critical Analysis of the End of “For Whom the Bell Tolls”:

Image
“ For Whom the Bell Tolls ” by Ernest Hemingway : Introduction of Author:                                                             Ernest Hemingway (1899–1961) was an American novelist, short-story writer, and journalist, widely regarded as one of the most influential writers of the 20th century. Known for his distinctive writing style characterized by simplicity and economy of language, Hemingway pioneered the "Iceberg Theory" (or theory of omission), where deeper meanings are implied rather than explicitly stated. His works often explore themes of courage, masculinity, love, war, and loss, reflecting his own experiences as an ambulance driver in World War I, a journalist during the Spanish Civil War, and an avid adventurer. Some of his most famous works include “The Sun Also Rises” (1926), “A Farewell to Arms” (1929), “For Whom t...
Read more

Anthropocene: The Human Epoch

Image
Anthropocene: The Human Epoch : This thought provoking task was given by Dr. Dilip Barad.  CLICK HERE  Introduction: The concept of the Anthropocene has become one of the most contested yet fascinating terms in contemporary discourse. Emerging from geological studies but expanding into philosophy, literature, and cultural criticism, it attempts to define the present epoch as one dominated by human activity. The first three pages of the material highlight how the Anthropocene is more than a scientific category: it is also a cultural and ethical problem, forcing us to rethink our place on Earth, our responsibility towards non-human species, and our complicity in planetary crises. Unlike previous epochs named after natural phenomena, the Anthropocene foregrounds humans as the primary geological agents, leaving behind an indelible mark on the planet’s systems. The film Anthropocene: The Human Epoch captures this unsettling reality through a combination of aesthetics, narrative, an...
Read more

Jean Rhys' Wide Sargasso Sea

Image
This thought provoking task on Jean Rhys' Wide Sargasso Sea  was assigned by Prakruti ma'am to enhance our critical thinking. Introduction to the Author: Jean Rhys Jean Rhys (1890–1979) was a Dominican-born British novelist and short story writer whose works explore themes of alienation, identity, gender inequality, and colonial displacement . Born as Ella Gwendolen Rees Williams in Roseau, Dominica, Rhys was of Creole descent — her father was a Welsh doctor, and her mother was a white Creole of Scottish origin. This mixed cultural background deeply shaped her sense of belonging and became a central influence in her writing. Growing up in the Caribbean, Rhys experienced the racial and social tensions of colonial life firsthand. She often felt out of place — not fully accepted by the black Caribbean community or the white Europeans. This sense of cultural in-betweenness later became one of the most significant themes in her novels. In 1907, she moved to England for her ed...
Read more