1984 Rhetorical Analysis

Many writers living in the aftermath of World War II expressed a great deal of contempt toward totalitarian systems of government in their works. George Orwell wrote the dystopian novel 1984 to force his readers to question the integrity of their governments. The article “Backpacks and Briefcases” urges us to ask what the rhetor may be responding to as a means of discovering the exigence of the rhetorical situation (Bolin 48). The publication of the novel coincides with the aftermath of World War II and the rise of more totalitarian forms of government, such as Stalinism in Russia. Orwell’s response to these events also plays to the mindset of his audience, who is living in the same period and thus has the same fearful perspective on totalitarianism.

Orwell’s primary protagonist, Winston Smith, works for The Party by editing history, already leading the audience to believe that this fictional government can not be trusted. He spends his days modifying dates and production predictions in the national newspaper so the rest of Oceania can live under the impression that their economy is improving, rather than plummeting (Orwell 39). This parallels the ways in which totalitarian systems sought to brainwash and hide the truth from their citizens through propaganda. The propaganda present throughout the novel is reminiscent of those of Nazi Germany, depicting “monstrous figure[s] of Eurasian soldier[s]” that drive even the least patriotic proles to support the war effort (Orwell 149). Orwell is aware that his audience will have a strong reaction to these images, having only recently been subject to bombardments of similar messages during the wartime.

Knowing the context in which the novel was composed, as well as the background of the author can allow us to draw what his purpose is. Bolin encourages readers to ask what it is the rhetor wants them to do with their message (52). I would interpret all of Orwell’s appeals to the authority of government as a message to his readers to question the societies that they live in. While there is no direct message of uprising or warfare against totalitarian systems, at the very least Orwell wishes for others to call into question the extent to which their governments run their lives. To some extent, the rhetorical purpose of the novel is to convince the readers to become active consumers of the political rhetoric that surrounds them.

Inherent in all sides of the rhetorical triangle and all facets of the rhetorical situation are the three artistic appeals proposed by Aristotle, but Orwell plays primarily to pathos (Bolin 52). The love story between Winston and Julia allows the reader to form a personal connection with the characters, and thus sympathize with them to a greater extent when the government interferes in their affair, resulting in their torture (Orwell 222). A potentially dry message about governments stripping individuals of their autonomy presented in narrative form makes all the difference to a reader.

It is critical to not only be fully aware of the rhetoric presented to us in academic settings and in novels, but also that which is presented to us in our daily lives. This can make all the difference in how we choose to perceive the world we live in.

Works Cited

Bolin, Laura Carroll. “Backpacks vs. Briefcases: Steps Toward Rhetorical Analysis.” Writing Spaces: Readings on Writing. Ed. Charles Lowe and Pavel Zemliansky. Vol. 1. West Lafayette, IN: Parlor P, 2010. 45-58. Writing Spaces. Web. 27 Jan. 2016.

Orwell, George, and Erich Fromm. 1984. New York, NY: Signet Classic, 1961. Print.