Rebels of the Party In the book 1984 by George Orwell, a new world order has been introduced. The book revolves around a member of the Outer Party of Oceania, Winston Smith. In the year 1984, the world is divided among 3 sections, Oceania, Eurasia and Eastasia. Oceania is split into 3 classes, the Inner Party as the upper class, the Outer Party being the middle, and the proles being the lowest. The Party is the government of Oceania, it controls everything, it sees everything and it is everything. It is led by Big Brother, a mysterious figurehead who is never actually seen in person. Winston questions the Party’s actions and everything they stand for. The only thing pleasurable to Winston, about the party is a fellow Outer Party member he meets named Julia. She unlike Winton who is middle aged, is very young. They form an instant forbidden relationship, as relationships are against the law between Outer Party members. Winston is unhappy and angry with his life which fuels his rebellious tendencies towards the Party, while Julia is much more educated about the Party and has a very different idea of rebellion. Winston’s and Julia’s opinions on party doctrine are highly distinct. Winston dreams of rebellion and the downfall of Big Brother and the Party. (Orwell 18). Julia, although hates the Party as much as Winston, cares nothing for the Party’s actions, only about her own rebellious acts. (Orwell 122). Julia, even though wanting to rebel does not really understand what she is rebelling against while Winston is overwhelmed with the lies Big Brother and the Party has been
forcing upon Oceania. In my opinion they will never successfully rebel due to the fact that the Party is too powerful. Winston and Julia lack the power and motif as well, especially Julia. In the “1984 Rand Paul” video, he spoke of many similarities between todays world and the world of 1984 by George Orwell. One such similarity is the power the government has over the people, much like the powers implemented by the Patriot Act. The Patriot Act’s goals are to strengthen domestic security and to enhance the powers of law enforcement agencies with in order identify and stop terrorists. It also grants the power to unlawful searches and seizures. The government can tap phone calls as well as survey a person if they believe that person is a threat to national security. Although this act was rectified in order to prevent attacks and secure the safety of the United States, it still violates the basic rights granted to citizens by the Constitution. 1984 is a concept, not a reality. The world of 1984 and the world today is much different. 1984 contains telescreens that spy on almost everyone at almost all times, a government who has restricted even the simplest things as being in a relationship or thinking for ones self, and a whole department dedicating to rewriting history so that it becomes non-existent in the present. (Orwell 4-6). This is hardly comparable to the world of today. The world today consists of democracies, peoples rights, and peace. There are some conflicts between countries but they are mainly resolved by peaceful means, unlike never-ending warfare as present in Oceania. One would have to be crazy to force this kind of government and oppression upon their country and citizens. Laws are in place in society to govern the people, but only to have order and the people have freedoms, unlike 1984 where the government acquired power to have power. If 1984 was to exist today the world would be a horrid place, the world today isn’t the best but it is considerably more habitable.