Class Distinctions in George Orwell’s 1984 Essay

1984, a novel by English writer George Orwell, was a cautionary tale about the perils of a totalitarian society. variant distinctions are one of the worst dangers that were discussed in the novel. It was portrayed as a means for Big Brother to maintain his rule over Oceania. The diametrical social classes in Oceania viewed each other as competitors for scotch, political and social dominance. In the process, the possibility of a political rebellion in Oceania is quelled.Oceania is composed of threesome social classes the Inner troupe (about 1% of the population), the out Party (about 18% of the population) and the Proles (about 81% of the population). The respective lifestyles of these sectors were characterized with inequality the Inner Party enjoyed more privileges than the Outer Party, although they both(prenominal) made up the Party of Oceania. Members of the Inner Party were accorded key government positions, had larger incomes and lived in sonsy homes. In sharp contrast , members of the Outer Party lived in dilapidated flats.They also had to devote even their forego time to Party activities such as community hikes and games or risk being suspected as a traitor (K-1. com, n. pag. ). The proles are the backbone of Oceania they are employed in industry and on farms. However, the Party accepts them as members of society only because of their capacity to produce. As a result, the proles live in extreme penury. They await in districts where there are fewer telescreens and policemen they dont have any contact with the present as long as they did non commit any wrongdoing.Consequently, proles can indulge in prohibited things such as prostitution, old books, old furniture and alcohol. The Party, on the other hand, does not pay oft attention to what they do the former regards proles as too uneducated and disorganized to pose as a serious threat to their rule (K-1. com, n. pag. ). Given that the ideology of the Party is Ingsoc (English Socialist Move ment), it is ironic that inequality is truly rampant among the citizens of Oceania.The novel provided an explanation to this phenomenon through the fictional book The Theory and Practice of Oligarchical Collectivism. The latter(prenominal) believed to be written by a certain Emmanuel Goldstein, the leader of the dissident group the Brotherhood. But it morose out that the Thought Police created the book in order to trap Winston Smith (SparkNotes, n. pag. ). The books first chapter, Ignorance is Strength, argued that human societies are traditionally divided into three classes the in high spirits, the Middle and the Low.The objective of the High is to incite its dominance over society. The goal of the Middle, on the other hand, is to attain the status of the High. As for the Low, it is too bustling trying to find a way out of poverty to be concerned with matters that do not directly affect it. As a result, struggles throughout history share the same pattern. The Middle overthrows the High with the help of the Low in the name of justice and liberty. Once the Middle becomes the High, it thrusts the Low back to its schoolmaster marginalized position.A new Middle group will then emerge to repeat the cycle. The second chapter, independence is Slavery, was explained to Winston by OBrien. According to OBrien, the goal of attaining immunity is useless due to the inevitability of death. Thus, when liberty is Slavery is reversed to Slavery is Freedom, it is implied that complete submission to the Party will grant an individual freedom in the form of experiencing the Partys immortality and omnipotence.The third chapter, entitled War is Peace, first identified the three superstates of the world Oceania (the United States and the British Empire), Eurasia (Russia and Europe) and Eastasia (China, Japan and Korea). The chapter went on to argue that these superstates waged war with one another for economic reasons they wanted to gain unlimited access to the natural res ources of foreign lands and to find new markets in which they could grace their surplus goods. Furthermore, war in itself is already a possible solution to an economic slump.An increase in the number of jobs in the defence sector due to war will increase economic natural process by increasing the income of consumers (NewspeakDictionary. com, n. pag. ). Big Brother remained in power in Oceania through class distinctions. Class distinctions kept the people divided and fighting among themselves. As a result, Big Brother was able to talk through ones hat them into serving his interests. The longer the people remained divided, the longer they remained enslaved.