In the novel 1984 George Orwell depicts a dystopia with his use of a futuristic setting while incorporating the fear of technology. A dystopia is a society where people lead dehumanized and often fearful lives. In a dystopia social and/or technological trends have contributed to a corrupted or degraded state of deprivation and oppression. Governmental tyranny and an exploitation of the people are also prominent in a dystopia.
George Orwell depicts a dystopia in 1984 by using a futuristic setting with the Thought Police and vaporization. The Thought Police constantly monitors the thoughts of the citizens of Oceania ensuring that they will not disobey The Party or Big Brother. This ensures that the currently established government will stay in control (a perfect example of a bourgeois society). If the citizens even contemplate betraying The Party they will be vaporized which is where the Thought Police captures the citizen and they completely disappear. No one knows where they go only that they are erased from all memory and databases. He clearly generates fear by using these forms of technology currently impossible to enhance the theme of a dystopia.
Montage, the main character, fights his urge to fight The Party because he knows what his consequence will be but decides to join the Brotherhood for the common good of all mankind. This is how Orwell places his main character in dissent with society to enhance the overall theme of a dystopia.
In conclusion, Orwell creates a “perfect” dystopia by using a futuristic setting, the fear of technology and by placing the main character in dissent with society. If you are searching for a novel with thought provoking ideas, a twist on society and a different outlook on life I would fully recommend that you read 1984.
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