Examples Of Doublethink In 1984

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A second important point George Orwell makes in 1984 is if governments assume too much power, they will ultimately control how and what people think. In Airstrip One, the government uses the manipulative practices of “Doublethink” and “Newspeak” to control thought. Towards the end of the novel, Winston receives “The Book” which he believes is the book written by Goldstein, public enemy number one, containing Goldstein’s teachings. In the book, Goldstein explains how governments control the people and keep them in line through doublethink. The book claims: “Doublethink means the power of holding two contradictory beliefs in one's mind simultaneously, and accepting both of them” (234). The government of Airstrip One reigns in public thought …show more content…

With Doublethink, citizens accept without question that there can be conflicting histories or facts. They accept the “contradictory beliefs” and eventually succumb to the version the government wants them to believe. In Airstrip One, the Records Department of the Ministry of Truth employs people to create false records. Once these false records are created they are immediately hailed as truth as a result of Doublethink. Also, Oceania’s mottos, "War Is Peace; Freedom Is Slavery; Ignorance Is Strength" are embraced and believed by the citizens because of Doublethink. Doublethink is an effective tool for resolving conflicting facts or ideas and controlling thought so citizens think exactly the thoughts the government wants them to think. Another technique that the government uses to control thought is to restrict the vocabulary of the citizens by creating a new language known as Newspeak. Syme, an author of the Newspeak dictionary says, "Don't you see that the whole aim of Newspeak is to narrow the range of thought? In the end we shall make Thoughtcrime literally impossible, because there will be no words in which to express it"

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