Are We There Yet?

The use of humor, irony, exaggeration, or ridicule to expose and criticize people's stupidity or vices, particularly in the context of contemporary politics and other topical issues. In 1984 by George Orwell, the author uses satire in order to criticize the flaws of a totalitarian government. The author utilizes irony, sarcasm and exaggeration to highlight his criticism so that people of a potential dystopian future if they turned to Communism as the answer for their problems.

In the novel, the controlling party's name Ingsoc whose idealized hero is called Big Brother.The party maintains control with the ironic use of doublethink: the ability to think two completely contradictory thoughts at the same time, believing both to be true. The irony in 1984 by George Orwell is embodied in the party's slogan: War is Peace; Freedom is Slavery; Ignorance is Strength. The party slogan holds different meanings, depending on who's reading it, making it an intelligent example of verbal irony. The stark contradictions in each individual oxymoron places emphasis on the overall absurdity of Ingsoc their governmental beliefs. Another example of irony is seen in the three ministries, that complete tasks contrary to their name. For instance, The Ministry of Truth fabricates lies; the Ministry of Love specializes in torture; the Ministry of Plenty causes shortages; and the Ministry of Peace wages war. Once again, Orwell does so in order to captivate his reader's attentions so that they could realize the satirical nature of his novel.

As for sarcasm it can be seen in the location where Winston lives. He lives in the Victory Mansions, Victory Mansions, an apartment for Outer Party members in what used to be London. However, there is nothing victorious about it. The author uses its name as a form of mockery by describing it in poor quality. Orwell criticizes the Party's neglect of living conditions, which fall short for those who are even in the inner party.

The exaggeration utilized by Orwell is seen in the extreme deprivation of freedom from the people. For instance, the states that the people own nothing "except the few cubic centimetres inside your skull." (29) This showcases how they are not even allowed to think for themselves, The main character, Winston, lives in a society where the government practices mind control. This is never more evident than the fact that people are led to believe that "2+2=5." (29) Exaggeration is also seen by the censorship and surveillance within the book. On the telescreens, figures for all types of production are grossly exaggerated in order to indicate an ever-growing economy, when the reality is consonantly recessed. Once again the citizens are shown what to believe. Censorship is seen in the Ministry of Truth where photographs are modified and public archives rewritten to rid them of "unpersons" (people who the Party decided to erase from history).One small example of the endless censorship is when Winston is charged with the task of eliminating a reference to an unperson in a newspaper article. As for surveillance, there are telescreens and hidden microphones everywhere that enable the government to see what people are doing, This reinforces the idea that "Big Brother is Watching You". Orwell criticizes the government's possessive control on its people. The fear of being caught causes people to become obedient citizens.

Overall, Orwell utilizes irony, sarcasm, and exaggeration to criticize totalitarian governments and denounce Stalinism. The author does so in order to raise awareness amongst members of the free world. The chilling warning in 1984 constantly remind us to question whether or not we are enabling our governments to this futuristic society--hopefully not!