1984 #3

George Orwell often emphasizes the dangers of Totalitarianism in very humorous and inconceivable ways. Throughout the novel, Orwell will provide examples of the Party acting out in an effort to silence their population; a broad attempt to control the way they behave and think. In most cases, the Party is successful in doing so, yet Winston is observant of these tricks because he was born right on the border of the past and the present. When talking to Mr. Parsons about Winston’s encounter with his children, a sudden message is delivered from the Ministry of Plenty explaining that the chocolate ration had been increased to twenty grams a week (57-58) Almost immediately, Winston caught sight of the Party’s trick thinking that “only yesterday…it had been announced that the ration was to be reduced to twenty grams a week. Was it possible that they could swallow that, after only twenty-four hours? Yes, they swallowed it” (58). Winston is absolutely amazed at the stupidity of his comrades. They believe, without hesitation, anything that Big Brother or his Ministry’s say. The Party has taken complete control of the minds of its citizens; this example merely displays the effect. In order to quell “thoughtcrime” or any instance of rebellion, the Party takes it upon themselves to eradicate any outside understanding, to make their word absolute. Orwell is expressing the dangers of Totalitarianism as means by which the government takes complete control over everything one says, does, or believes. It seems, however, that the Party has eradicated intelligence as well as free will. This humorous example just goes to show the extent to which the Party has become omnipotent in order to guarantee their citizens incompetence.