For my final post, I want to talk about Winston and Julia getting caught by the government. I find it so interesting how the government can make them do things the way they did. After they got caught they were broken and beaten until they believed twisted lies. O’Brien and the government made them believe in only the thoughts the Party's and government wanted. On page 234, it states, “No one dares trust a wife or a child or a friend... there will be no loyalty except, for loyalty for the party. There will no love, except the love for Big Brother.” They only want the people to love and have trust in Big Brother, not a family member or friend.  The people of Oceania should love and praise Big Brother as their “savoir” like on page 7.

It is not very common for Oceania to see people come back from being caught by the government but Winston and Julia both returned as every single other citizen. Winston’s identity and appearance is broken, and people can see it. Julia’s physical appearance at the very end of the book mentions how and broken she looks as well. The party completely destroys Winston and Julia, to not even be there self at all. They are both just like puppet on strings. In my last blog I talked about propaganda and “Big Brother”. They tortured them with propaganda to break them and replace it with happiness and faith in the Party’s. By the end of the book, Julia and Winston are released and act if nothing has happened, because that is what they believe. Winston and Julia do not even know they had feelings for each other. The last sentence in the book quotes, “he loved Big Brother.”

What are some things or events in the book you thought were really out of the ordinary, like for me was the relationship between Julia sand Winston. Winston talks about how much he hates Julia because he loves her. Then on page 107, Julia slips Winston a note saying “I love you”. I found this kind of strange. Did you find this strange too? What is your impression on Orwell’s novel, 1984? Did you like the book, if so why?

What does Big Brother have to do with total government? In George Orwell's book, 1984, Big Brother is known as a god like symbol to the people of Oceania. Big Brother keeps people in control and in favor of the government. Everyone is expected to be respectable to him and follow what he (the government) wants. In Oceania, everyone seems to be afraid of big brother. “Big Brother is watching you” is posted almost anywhere you look. His face is on a big poster board over the city to make people fear them or in our case the government. Big brother is used as a frightening technique to totalitarian government to possess absolute power. If you are caught betraying him, you aren't to be found again. No one knows or really cares to what actually happens, but you are no longer seen again. They use this fear as another skill to control its subjects, and to extent of the power and control of government.

The first few chapters have a big part telling about the telescreens in their homes. The telescreens are another way that the government or in the story, ‘Big Brother’ is watching them. In 1984 they are known as an instrument, which is always on some kind of propaganda. Any hint of obedience or dislike can be detected by many such as the Thought Police, telescreen, or even your children who will not hesitate to betray you to the authorities.

There is no real truth in Oceania. The effect of Big Brother and propaganda takes a citizens opinion to believe they want something different. They twist the truth to make them seem higher in power. He parties and Big brother manipulate them to break them down and then replace the hatred by fear and faith for the Party, Big Brother, and the government. 1984, emphasizes throughout the book how government puts in citizens minds that there is no such thing as bad; only ungood. Governmental use of manipulation and physical control is used to maintaining its power.

In today's society, it is not this harsh. Although, the government today is not as brutal as in 1984; it is still somewhat real in today’s society. We have the cameras and technology to “spy” or “watch” others. We also have phones that can tracks where we are. In the presidential debate, Donald trump states, “We need toughness”. This proves the kind of society we are coming to next. It is terrifying knowing that someone could control us, like in 1984.

Do you think our society will become like in '1984'? What kind of events are similar to the society and government in ‘1984’, today?

Throughout the first half of 1984 by George Orwell and it is confusing concept to grasp. The information is twisted and contradicts itself throughout the book. In Orwell's novel, 1984, throughout the beginning of the book he talks about the Three Slogan's of the party. But what exactly do these three slogan's mean? What do they mean to Winston?

War is Peace

Freedom is Slavery

Ignorance is Strength

If you didn't notice all three slogan's contradict themselves. War means to fight but peace means to have no harm. It makes the mind believe that these things are true. Winston can see how controlling the government or "Big Brother" is. They try to confused people in to believing these slogans. Sadly, it is working for many. Unlike Winston who writes repeatedly, "DOWN WITH BIG BROTHER, DOWN WITH BIG BROTHER" does not want to be watched all the time. Big Brother as their major propaganda, and makes them think twisted information. The party has the slogan's to make everyone believe in them. They repeat it over and over to tattoo the slogan's in their minds. Why do you think that is? Also why do you think the story has a lot of propaganda? Propaganda can easily persuade people with your emotions and is used as a brainwash. The people are persuaded to think that the party is actually there to help them. Like on page .., after people riot, Big Brother comes on the screen and a lady is filled with joy to see Big Brother. All Big Brothers, the party and Goldstein do is manipulate them.

In the novel, propaganda is used to keep the people under controlled, to think and act any way they want them to. Characters in the book and even in our society today are influenced with the double speak and propaganda. Even today no one knows the real truth. The Three Slogan’s “War is Peace. Freedom is Slavery. Ignorance is Strength.” and Big Poster boards with “Big Brother is Watching You” are used as Propaganda as a way for the Party’s way to have control.

In the picture below, you can read the Three Slogan's. You can also see the three picture that go next to it. What do these picture mean to you and what do they show? Also how do you think in the book they represent the people in that society? In today’s society do we still have propaganda? If so, What are some ways we are persuaded?