Manipulation of the mind and language are depicted as a weapon to show the mistreatment of power. One of the most important themes shown in the novel 1984 is psychological manipulation. The Party is able to control what they think, what they do, and how they interact with each other. The Party enforces these awful ideals through pushing propaganda and lies down the throats of civilians in Oceania. The song “Mind Control” by Stephen Marley reflects similar principles of psychological manipulation in George Orwell’s novel 1984, including rewriting history, lacking independent thought, and using language to change human minds.
Firstly, an issue in 1984 is the concept that history easily changed by members of the Ministry of Truth, like Winston Smith. It is quite ironic that the Ministry of Truth goes by that title because it is far from what it actually is. The novel shows a noticeable difference between truth and fact. In the song “Mind Control” Stephen Marley writes the phrase, “And so you become an invention to distort this earth.” In this quote, Marley emphasizes the fact that common people have the potential to change the world, and a minuscule difference goes a long way. This correlates to a quote in George Orwell’s writing in 1984 saying that, “Who controls the past controls the future: who controls the present controls the past” (Orwell 39). These quotes stress the same idea that distorting the past is an easy way to configure the future differently. Later on, the people who read these history books produced by the Ministry of Truth will then be given false information about events that may have never occurred. Another quote to preview the acts of Big Brother is, “Every record has been destroyed or falsified, every book rewritten, every picture has been repainted, every statue and street building has been renamed, every date has been altered. And the process is continuing day by day and minute by minute. History has stopped. Nothing exists except an endless present in which the Party is always right” (Orwell 155). A theme of irony is shown in the fact that the party is usually never right, and that history has not stopped, and it is impossible for it to do so. Certainly, the act of rewriting history for plans to distort the earth and making people believe erroneous information shows the impact of psychological manipulation towards the members of Airstrip One.
Secondly, not only do the citizens of Oceania have a lack of freedom but a lack of individualism too. They are not allowed to think their own thoughts, engage in certain activities, or behave and express themselves in any way. The way one would think of this concept is that if the civilians of Oceania were never oppressed by Big Brother, never watched under surveillance 24/7, and did not have every action they made monitored, no one would have revolted, or at least the idea of revolting would be less thought of. Big Brother even had a special force called the Thought Police, which use telescreens, completely invading personal privacy, to see if anyone is breaking the list of laws in Oceania. Being in the helpless situation Winston and Julia were in, it would make sense for them to rebel against the government and live independent lives. They had to unleash themselves from the totalitarian government the party had started. Who would not? In the song “Mind Control” by Stephen Marley the title is emphasizing an important theme and if not the greatest symbol in this story. Marley wrote in his song,
“Corruption of your thoughts, yeah, Destruction of your soul, Don’t let them mold your mind, They wanna control mankind.” Controlling mankind is the ultimate goal for Big Brother. Controlling the mind is the easiest way to completely dominate mankind. One of the easiest ways to gain support and interest is through a process that has proven historically to work, propaganda. Orwell writes, “War is peace, freedom is slavery, ignorance is strength” (Orwell 27). Along with this, Big Brother also posts posters stating the infamous words, “Big brother is always watching.” Propaganda is commonly used to send out false information, rumors, or ideas. With the use of propaganda, it is easy to conquer and control the collective mind. The people of Oceania can no longer think for themselves. Clearly, the citizens of Oceania have more than a lack of freedom, but lacking individual thought.
Thirdly, Orwell symbolizes the use of language in 1984 to psychologically manipulate innocent civilians minds. This is one of Orwell’s most critical messages that he sent for the reader to interpret in 1984. Being able to control body language and language itself limits ideas and concepts that humans are capable of creating. Newspeak is a new form of language, hence it is a new way of speaking. Newspeak was created to complete the ideals created by Ingsoc, a political party in Oceania. Newspeak is always improving, they are always removing, renewing, and adding new words every day to produce an ultimate goal that no member of Oceania will be able to think of an idea to question Big Brother’s reign. To “doublethink” explains itself in its own word, basically to accept two ideas that are contradictory to each other but end up believing that they are both actually correct. Newspeak is shown in present society today. The language society has adapted to today uses abbreviations like ‘Lol’ meaning ‘laughing out loud’ or ‘GTG’ resembling the phrase, ‘got to go.’ Stephen Marley writes in “Mind Control,” “You put them in total confusion. To downs-troy their soul, For they practice what You preach, So they’re always in Your reach.” Another point that is interesting about this song is the fact that Marley refers to someone as ‘brother’ in the song, saying, “Come on and get it together, brother man.” These lyrics include clues to compare with Orwell’s novel. Orwell goes more in depth in his article “Politics and the English Language.” Today, one would come to a conclusion that all political arguments are opinionative. Therefore, making a true statement that all opinionative writing is political writing. He uses the word political in the broadest terms so he has a desire to push the world in a certain direction and to alter other people’s ideas of the kind of society they should strive after. Clearly, for these reasons, Orwell symbolizes the use of language in 1984 to psychologically manipulate innocent civilians minds.
To conclude, it is easy to say that a strong theme in George Orwell’s 1984 is psychological manipulation. The Party is able to control what they think, what they do, and how they act. The party enforces these awful ideas by propaganda and blatant lies. Without the constant force of Big Brother, the party would be powerless. In synopsis, the song “Mind Control” by Stephen Marley reflects similar principles of psychological manipulation in George Orwell’s novel 1984, including rewriting history, lacking independent thought, and using language to change human minds.