| George Orwell's 1984 is a novel about totalism, in which the author profoundly reflects the political crisis in the 20'th century and advocates the importance of rationalism. Set in "Oceania" in the future,1984 tells of the story about Winston Smith, a representative of individuals of reason, who suffers comprehensive suppressions in the totalism society. The individuals of reason reflect social reality and criticize the fact that the totalism deprives the citizens of freedom, denies the pluralistic value and distorts the human nature.1984 shows that the totalism enslaves the people at the deeper level. The only way out is to develop and expand rationality.In 1984, the reason for suppressing the individuals of reason is to ensure the totalitarian to rule over the country ultrastablely. The individuals of reason suffer comprehensive suppressions in the field of ideology, public and private life respectively. The individuals of reason are implanted the concept "doublethink" in mind and trained to be obedient ones who will believe any lies by eliminating their memory. The totalitarian keeps the people under round-the-clock surveillance and controls their social activities by various organizations which strengthen the thought control. Telescreen, a typical meadium of one way communication, intrudes into the private room and forcibly occupies the people's reflection time. Telescreen denies private freedom and right completely. Winston and Julia, the representatives of individuals of reason, struggle against totalism, both in mind and in action. Winson, who goes through countless difficulties and setbacks, completes contrasting the present with the past in the field of ideology, public and private life by interviewing old people and making inquiries about historic sites. These historical sites stand for both former artistic culture and the life style, which is different from the present one. Julia rejects the official sermon and chooses the life according with natural instincts. They get a clear understanding of the nature of totalism:a society has no oppositive opinions and its only goal is to seek the power to control the people. But, the intrinsic limitation and expanding the hatred targets make their struggle end in failure. Being arrested, Winston and Julia betray each other without a moment's hesitation when they are threatened with death. They give up their personal beliefs and become the advocators of totalism after being remoulded by totalitarian. Their struggle, based on violence and hatred, ends in failure. The proper way to overthrow the totalitarian administration is to believe in and depend on the Pros or the masses by educating and rousing them. |
