1976. The conflict created when the will of an individual opposes the will of the majority is the recurring theme of many novels, plays, and essays. Select the work of an essayist who is in opposition to his or her society; or from a work of recognized literary merit, select a fictional character who is in opposition to his or her society. In a critical essay, analyze the conflict and discuss the moral and ethical implications for both the individual and the society. Do not summarize the plot or action of the work you choose.
Dystopian novels are commonly written throughout ages of change and political commotion. Authors of those types of novels write them to warn readers what may happen in the future if things continue to change for the worse. In the novel, 1984, the author, George Orwell, uses themes to show people what moral and ethical implications a totalitarian government may have on its citizens.
One theme that Orwell uses is the control of the mind. The Party (government) alters the news and books to change the history that portrays them in bad light. The Party also monitors the citizens carefully and 24/7. The citizens are not allowed to think or speak rebellious thoughts (thoughtcrime) and are forced to suppress sexual urges. Children are turned into Junior Spies to rat out people that commit those crimes. In addition, the Party creates a new language called Newspeak that contains no rebellious words so that people won't think or speak rebellious thoughts.
Another theme that Orwell includes is the control of the mind. The Party uses immoral and unethical tactics to crack Winston Smith (protagonist). The Party takes Julia (Winston's secret girlfriend) away and forces Winston into Room 101. They threaten to let a bunch of rats (Winston's biggest fear) eat his face unless he gives up Julia. Winston tells the Party to do it to Julia instead and in the end, Winston loves the Party. The Party also forces citizens to do physically demanding workouts every morning. If anyone defies the Party or commits a crime, the Party punishes them severly until they learn to love the Party (like what they did to Winston).
These themes serve as warnings to what may happen if countries convert to totalitarianism. The citizens and society will be oppressed morally and ethically.
One theme that Orwell uses is the control of the mind. The Party (government) alters the news and books to change the history that portrays them in bad light. The Party also monitors the citizens carefully and 24/7. The citizens are not allowed to think or speak rebellious thoughts (thoughtcrime) and are forced to suppress sexual urges. Children are turned into Junior Spies to rat out people that commit those crimes. In addition, the Party creates a new language called Newspeak that contains no rebellious words so that people won't think or speak rebellious thoughts.
Another theme that Orwell includes is the control of the mind. The Party uses immoral and unethical tactics to crack Winston Smith (protagonist). The Party takes Julia (Winston's secret girlfriend) away and forces Winston into Room 101. They threaten to let a bunch of rats (Winston's biggest fear) eat his face unless he gives up Julia. Winston tells the Party to do it to Julia instead and in the end, Winston loves the Party. The Party also forces citizens to do physically demanding workouts every morning. If anyone defies the Party or commits a crime, the Party punishes them severly until they learn to love the Party (like what they did to Winston).
These themes serve as warnings to what may happen if countries convert to totalitarianism. The citizens and society will be oppressed morally and ethically.
I think that you should specify WHAT moral and ethical implications in your thesis, or at least in your opening paragraph. Otherwise, it seems like you are just repeating the prompt (with a few changes).
ReplyDeleteYou give evidence, but you don't really answer the prompt or analyze the evidence that you give.
You also said one theme is control of the mind, and that another theme is control of the mind. Remember to re-read your essays for this kind of stuff!
Overall, I feel like you need to analyze a lot more. Don't just give evidence -- tell us what it means and how it responds to the prompt!
I'd try to make your thesis a little more specific, in terms of what themes the author uses. With a clearer lineup of themes, its easier to keep track of what you've done already in the heat of battle on the AP test.
ReplyDeleteAlso, when you're writing a literary essay, you can work with the assumption that whoever is grading your writing has already read the work you're discussing, so you can call Julia Julia without adding the "(winston's secret girlfriend)" unless that information is relevant to your thesis.
What with everything else, though, I definitely agree with Sam. You have tons of solid evidence, but it's just floating around with nothing to really explain it.
I think that this is a very well written essay! I haven't read this book, and I was still able to understand what it was about and connect what you were trying to bring out to the prompt. It could be just a little bit more organized, but I think that as is it isn't bad at all. It would just boost your points up a little bit! One more read through and edit, and this is golden!
ReplyDelete