George Orwell (UK, 1903 - 1950)
“War is Peace, Freedom is Slavery, Ignorance is Strength”
In 1984, the famous novel written by George Orwell (published 1949), the English Socialist Party (INGSOC for short) rules Oceania citizens with this quote. INGSOC brainwashes their citizens making them believe that everything that is written and said by them is true. The contradictory statements are a clear example of doublethink. Doublethink, according to Orwell, is the power of holding two contradictory beliefs in one’s mind simultaneously, and accepting both of them. This idea creates a mind-control over the people, making a totalitarian regime both physically and mentally possible.
We all know that war and peace, freedom and slavery, ignorance and strength are antonyms. They reflect the opposite. With doublethink, the Party makes the people believe that those contradictions have a clear meaning.
Written by: Luis Polanco
