Tuesday, December 11, 2012

How is physical control implemented in 1984?

In 1984, control as a whole is one of the major defining themes, with physical control being tied into every aspect of it. 


In Orwell's novel, Big Brother is able to physically control its people through the use of various technologies, most notably the telescreens that are located everywhere from outside in the public domain to the absent privacy of one’s home. With telescreens in abundance everywhere one looks, how can the government not have physical control over everyone at all times?


Every act, expression, spoken word is be captured by Big Brother, and just a small act of rebellion or sign of disloyalty by the people could mean torture and even death. Therefore, anyone like Winston, has to constantly be on guard to make sure they don’t make the wrong expression or even believe the wrong thing, such as 2+2= 4 (Chapter 23).


Additionally, every morning, the people are required to complete physical exercises in front of the telescreens; just another way to control their whole morning routine from the time they wake up to the time they go to sleep, their physique, and so on, no matter how sick or how tired they felt.


Another way the government controls the people physically is through allowing the people to only engage with another sexually for the purpose of reproduction only. For any other reason, such as love, is strictly prohibited. No matter what one desires or feels for another person, no matter how their bodies react, they must be in control of their actions, less Big Brother find out.


And as the novel concludes, there is no worse pain than physical pain (Chapter 18).

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