This notion of the mistruth that propaganda is one of great interest to the novelist and journalist, George Orwell. It
was 'when fighting in The Spanish Civil War for the Republican side against the Franco led fascists, that he first became aware of the persuasive use of propaganda to support modern totalitarianism regimes'. According to Orwell,
'history stopped in 1936' (Townsend 2017). Having always noticed that no event is ever reported in its complete truth, it was not until being in Spain that he realised the true extent of this deceit. He 'saw newspaper reports which did not bear any relation to the facts... great battles reported where there had been no fighting, and complete silence where hundred of men had been killed' (Townsend 2017).
From this realisation, came the inspiration for Orwell to write the notorious marxist,
dystopian novel; 1984. Whereby, he gives account of an entirely totalitarian rule over society, that he predicts will become societies future state. The novel is set in Oceana,
where civilians live under rules of complete suppression, where humans have been entirely stripped of their individuality and any sense of freedom. Whats more is his characterisation of the leader Big Brother, who is appropriately named for his societal position. The term 'big brother', implicates a figure within which people can place their trust, who will guide and protect them. Strongly resembling figures such as Hitler and Stalin. Disguising their true motives of achieving a rule of complete control and submission of civilians, under the pretence of someone who cares for and only wants to benefit their people. Brainwashing society into adhering them through the calculate use of propaganda. Propaganda is consistently being broadcast on tele screens that are inescapable, continually penetrating the minds of civilians Furthermore, these screens work in a two way basis. Thus, citizens must always put forth a positive persona to the screen, since they know that Big Brother is always watching them on the other side.
Anon, 2012. (11) Nineteen Eighty-Four - Offical Trailer [HD] YouTube [Online]. Available from: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=urrqW4_3IBg.
For a visual representation, to bring to life the world that Orwell forebodes I have placed a trailer for one of its modern film adaptations above.
was 'when fighting in The Spanish Civil War for the Republican side against the Franco led fascists, that he first became aware of the persuasive use of propaganda to support modern totalitarianism regimes'. According to Orwell,
From this realisation, came the inspiration for Orwell to write the notorious marxist,
where civilians live under rules of complete suppression, where humans have been entirely stripped of their individuality and any sense of freedom. Whats more is his characterisation of the leader Big Brother, who is appropriately named for his societal position. The term 'big brother', implicates a figure within which people can place their trust, who will guide and protect them. Strongly resembling figures such as Hitler and Stalin. Disguising their true motives of achieving a rule of complete control and submission of civilians, under the pretence of someone who cares for and only wants to benefit their people. Brainwashing society into adhering them through the calculate use of propaganda. Propaganda is consistently being broadcast on tele screens that are inescapable, continually penetrating the minds of civilians Furthermore, these screens work in a two way basis. Thus, citizens must always put forth a positive persona to the screen, since they know that Big Brother is always watching them on the other side.
Anon, 2012. (11) Nineteen Eighty-Four - Offical Trailer [HD] YouTube [Online]. Available from: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=urrqW4_3IBg.
BBC, BBC History -
Historical Figures: George Orwell(1903 - 1950) [Online]. Available from:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/historic_figures/orwell_george.shtml.
Britain’s wartime Propaganda
Ministry, Orwell | The Ministry of Information [Online]. Available from:
http://www.ministry-of-information.com/orwell/.
Townsend, A., 2017. Orwell
and Orwellian. Propaganda today becomes the truth tomorrow [Online].
Available from:
https://www.adamtownsend.me/orwell-orwellian-propaganda-today-becomes-truth-tomorrow/.
For a visual representation, to bring to life the world that Orwell forebodes I have placed a trailer for one of its modern film adaptations above.