Examples Of Marxism In 1984

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Marxism Approach to 1984 Final Draft During the course of our history, leaders and controlling governments employed the principles of Marxism in order to take and maintain control over the working class or proletariat. Such practices are evident in 1984. The novel 1984 was written by the English author George Orwell. The Party has total control over all of the citizens in Oceania and uses the Marxist theory to do so. Throughout the book, Winston Smith, a party member, discovers the evils of the party and attempts to stand against it. The Party uses its power over the proletariat to develop propaganda, classism is used as a means of allowing the Party and its associates more power and control than the average citizen, and under the Party rule…show more content…
In the Communist Manifesto, these classes are described in terms of dual oppositions, with one party as the oppressor, the other as the oppressed and argued that the capitalist bourgeoisie mercilessly exploited the proletariat. Orwell utilizes this aspect of the theory in his novel. The previously described bourgeoisie is akin to the Party in 1984 as likewise the Party is in control of all activity in the society. The proles or proletariat constitute for a vast majority but yet, they are inferior to the Party members. However, the proletariat has power in number. Marx predicted that the continued exploitation of this underclass would create great resentment. Eventually the proletariat would lead a revolution against the bourgeoisie. The final struggle would lead to the overthrow of the government. Winston made this realization as he stated “If there was hope, it must lie in the proles, because only there, in those swarming disregarded masses, eighty-five present of the population of Oceania, could the force to destroy the Party ever be generated.” (Orwell…show more content…
Individuals were restricted in owning personal items or materials. Party members, like Winston, were to possess only what was absolutely necessary for their daily life. It was difficult to obtain a razor blade for example. Rations were distributed and that was meant to be sufficient. The only way to obtain what was wanted was to go into the shops of the proles however, that was prohibited. “Party members were supposed not to go into ordinary shops (“dealing on the free market,” it was called)…” (Orwell 6). The party tried to maintain control through preventing people from owning material possessions. By preventing people from owning material possessions the citizens are held in poverty. If the citizens are held in poverty they will remain in ignorance. This ignorance is what the Party is aiming for in order to be able to do whatever they desire without
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