THE DESTRUCTION OF INDEPENDENT THOUGHT: A CRITICAL ANALYSIS OF THE PARTY’S STRATEGY IN ORWELL’S 1984

Abstract

The article deals with the party’s strategy in George Orwell’s dystopian novel 1984. It analyzes the motivation of the Inner Party in general and in particular its goal of destroying thought as the main threat; how the party uses various methods to achieve these goals; and some aspects of the novel as the main weapon the party uses in hopes of destroying its main enemy, an independent thought. The study analyzes Newspeak as the main tool used by the Party to achieve its goals. The totalitarian government of Oceania plans to establish control over all information until reality is what the party says it is – to do this, it uses its most powerful weapon, the novel, which consists of simplifying language so that politically unfavorable thoughts are no longer possible. The novel highlights the destructive consequences of a society that prioritizes obedience and conformity over individuality and emotional connections. In this sense, the novel is a warning about the dangers of totalitarianism and a call for people to resist and fight back against such systems of control. It is concluded that considering the Party as a collective mind, as a part of one whole organism, it is possible to determine its main goals and methods of achieving them with the help of Newspeak. From this perspective, the party’s goal is to eliminate any potential threats to its existence by controlling the narrative, suppressing dissent, and eliminating any opposition ideas. This is a classic example of a self-preservation mechanism where the party tries to ensure its own survival by eliminating any potential sources of danger. By understanding the methods used by the party, we can recognize the signs of totalitarianism, develop critical thinking skills, and promote individual freedom.