If one harbours anywhere in one's mind a nationalistic loyalty or hatred, certain facts, although in a sense known to be true, are inadmissible.
George OrwellRead
The ideal set up by the Party was something huge, terrible, and glittering-a world of steel and concrete, of monstrous machines and terrifying weapons-a nation of warriors and fanatics, marching forward in perfect unity, all thinking the same thoughts and shouting the same slogans, perpetually working, fighting, triumphing, persecuting-three hundred million people all with the same face.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Orwell critiques totalitarianism, highlighting the dangers of conformity and loss of individuality.
In this quote, George Orwell paints a vivid picture of a dystopian society characterized by oppressive control and uniformity. He emphasizes the terrifying nature of a world where people are stripped of their individuality, transformed into a collective entity devoid of personal thoughts and emotions. The description of the Party's ideal setup illustrates the grim reality of totalitarian regimes that prioritize power and control over human diversity and freedom.
Themes
TotalitarianismConformityIndividualityDystopiaOppression
In practice
Example use cases
In a discussion about the dangers of authoritarian governments during a political science class.
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Political writing in our time consists almost entirely of prefabricated phrases bolted together like the pieces of a child's Meccano set. It is the unavoidable result of self-censorship. To write in plain, vigorous language one has to think fearlessly, and if one thinks fearlessly one cannot be politically orthodox.
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Not to expose your true feelings to an adult seems to be instinctive from the age of seven or eight onwards.
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As with the Christian religion, the worst advertisement for Socialism is its adherents.
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It is fatal to look hungry. It makes people want to kick you.
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