How does George Orwell create a culture of fear in '1984'?

Published in 1949, George Orwell's 1984 denotes the deeply authoritarian 'Party' exhibit control over its citizens, redefining social super structures such as family and the media, as it seeks ultimate control over reality itself. Contextually influenced by the rise of totalitarian regimes across Europe, Orwell's novel can be seen as a warning to the dangers of Nazi and Soviet ideology when enabled with the rise of technology seen in the twentieth century. Like all totalitarian regimes, the 'Party's' control is embedded within a culture of fear; personal expression in the form of fashion, relationships and free speech is non existent, in its place is a mandated love for the ominous figure of 'Big Brother.' The novel follows protagonist 'Winston Smith' begin his own personal rebellion against the state with his prohibited lover 'Julia', together they rent a room above an antique shop and begin to plan acts of terrorism against the state. Unable to escape the control of the 'thought police' the novel ends with O'Brian torturing Winston until he gives up Julia, and accepts that '2+2=5' if the party deems it so. The culture of fear is presented as untouchable, as Winston betrays his own moral character with the final line of the novel "he loved Big Brother."

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Answered by Charles L. English Literature tutor

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