This blog was assigned by Dr. Dilip Sir Barad. It's about George Orwell's novel 1984. For further information, here is the blog link.Teacher's blog
Video : 1
The phrase "God is power" appears twice in Part 3 of 1984, first spoken by O’Brien during Winston’s interrogation and later written down by Winston himself after his complete acceptance of the Party’s ideology. This phrase encapsulates the Party’s belief that absolute power is the ultimate truth, replacing traditional religious and moral values with total loyalty to Big Brother. Orwell uses this idea to highlight how totalitarian regimes seek to dominate not just people’s actions, but their thoughts and beliefs as well.
Frequency of "God" in 1984
The word "God" appears around eight times in the novel, each time reinforcing the Party’s ideology and its replacement of religion with state worship. The Party does not allow any belief system that exists outside of its control, even religious faith.
First Reference: The Poet in Room 101
One of the earliest mentions of "God" occurs when a poet in Room 101 accidentally uses the word while composing a rhyme:
"God" was used to rhyme with "rod."
For this seemingly harmless act, the poet is immediately punished, demonstrating the Party’s strict control over language and ideas. This moment also reflects the function of Newspeak, which is designed to eliminate words and concepts that could challenge the Party’s authority. By removing words like "God" from common speech, the Party ensures that religious thought and any independent belief system disappears over time.
O'Brien’s Explanation: Power as God
During Winston’s interrogation, O’Brien expands on the meaning of "God is power" by equating divine authority with the Party’s control:
He claims that Party members are "the priests of power," suggesting that the Party has replaced traditional religious institutions.
O’Brien argues that power itself is divine because it allows the Party to dictate truth and control reality.
He implies that historical religions controlled people’s minds by shaping their beliefs just as the Party does now.
This explanation reinforces the novel’s totalitarian theme. Orwell presents a world where religious faith is irrelevant because the Party demands absolute obedience. Traditional morality, once defined by religion, is now dictated by Big Brother.
Power Over Individuals: The Destruction of Identity
O'Brien also explains that power does not belong to individuals it exists only as a collective force. He tells Winston:
"An individual has power only by ceasing to be an individual and merging with the Party."
In other words, personal identity must be destroyed for power to be truly effective. The Party does not merely control people’s actions; it erases independent thought, making individuals part of a larger system where personal beliefs and free will no longer exist. Power is not just about physical control it is psychological and ideological.
The Party’s true power lies in controlling human minds, not just their bodies. This reflects Orwell’s warning about the dangers of totalitarianism, where oppressive regimes seek to eliminate individuality and force people into absolute conformity.
Winston’s Acceptance: "God is Power"
After enduring relentless torture and psychological manipulation, Winston finally accepts the Party’s ideology. He writes "God is power", signifying his belief that the Party’s control is absolute.He no longer questions the Party’s version of truth, history, or morality.
He acknowledges that whatever the Party declares to be reality must be accepted without question.
At this moment, Winston’s spirit is completely broken. The phrase "God is power" is no longer just something O’Brien tells him it is something he now believes. This symbolizes the Party’s total victory over Winston’s mind.
Significance of the Quote
1. Power as the Ultimate Truth
"God is power" represents the Party’s core belief: power is the highest authority. The Party replaces religious faith with worship of the state.
The novel critiques the dangers of absolute political power, showing how it can control even people’s thoughts.
2. The Party’s Aim: Replacing Religion and Morality
Orwell compares totalitarian rule to religious dogma, where people must believe without questioning. Just as religious institutions once dictated morality, the Party now decides what is right and wrong. Big Brother replaces God as the ultimate source of truth and faith.
3. Reflection of Totalitarianism’s Corrupting Influence
The Party’s power mirrors dictatorships throughout history that sought to control every aspect of life. The novel demonstrates how power corrupts those in control will do anything to maintain it. Orwell warns that blind devotion to any leader or ideology whether political or religious can lead to oppression.
The Novel’s Warning: The Dangers of Totalitarianism
Orwell uses 1984 to warn against the consequences of absolute power. The Party’s dominance leads to:
Oppression and exploitation individuals lose all rights and freedoms.
The destruction of truth history and reality are rewritten by those in power.
The suppression of independent thought people are forced to believe contradictions, even when they know they are false.
The novel serves as a cautionary tale, showing how governments can manipulate ideology to maintain control over society.
Critique of Religion in 1984
The video also suggests that 1984 is not just a critique of political power, but also of religion itself:
The Party uses doublethink to manipulate beliefs, just as some religious institutions use paradoxes to enforce faith.
Orwell implies that religion and totalitarianism both demand absolute belief often without questioning.
The Party’s slogan "War is Peace, Freedom is Slavery, Ignorance is Strength" mirrors the contradictions found in religious or political ideologies that force people to accept illogical statements as truth.
While Orwell does not explicitly attack religion, he suggests that any system that demands unquestioning faith whether political or religious can be used to control people.
Conclusion :-
In 1984, the phrase "God is power" represents the Party’s complete domination over reality. Orwell uses this concept to highlight the dangers of absolute power, the destruction of individual thought, and the replacement of religion with state ideology. By equating power with divinity, the Party ensures that Big Brother is the sole authority, eliminating any competing belief systems. The novel ultimately serves as a warning against totalitarianism, showing how blind devotion whether to a political leader, ideology, or even religious doctrine can lead to oppression and the erasure of free will.
Video: 2
The video explores the religious critiques present in 1984 by George Orwell, drawing parallels between the novel and organized religion, particularly Catholicism. While 1984 is primarily seen as a political satire, the video questions whether it can also be interpreted as a critique of religious institutions.
Parallels Between Religion and 1984 :
The discussion begins by examining how the structure of Orwell’s dystopia mirrors religious systems. The three superstates Oceania, Eurasia, and East Asia are compared to the three major Abrahamic religions: Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. The Party’s demand for absolute loyalty and belief in contradictory truths is likened to religious faith, which often requires adherence to dogma.
Confession and the Role of Power :
The novel’s system of forced confessions bears similarities to Catholic confessions. Winston’s journey, from resisting the Party to ultimately surrendering, mirrors a religious sacramental experience that includes penance, mortification, and restoration. The Party’s control over individuals’ minds is depicted as a spiritual conversion, where believers must abandon independent thought and embrace the Party’s doctrine.
Orwell further reinforces this connection by describing the Inner Party members as "priests of power." Power itself is treated as divine, replacing traditional religious belief with the worship of the Party. Big Brother functions as an omniscient god-like figure, always watching and guiding his followers.
Religious Symbolism in the Party’s Structure
The Party’s pyramidal hierarchy is compared to the Christian Trinity, with different levels of authority ensuring strict control over people’s lives. Rules governing behavior, such as restrictions on sexuality and the regulation of marriage, reflect religious influence.
Room 101, where Winston is psychologically broken, is compared to Dante’s Inferno or Purgatorio, with O’Brien acting as a Lucifer-like figure. The purpose of Room 101 is not just punishment but "purification," ensuring total submission to the Party’s ideology.
Orwell’s Personal Views on Religion
The video also examines Orwell’s own views on religion, citing his writings where he expressed his dislike for God and Jesus. His experiences during the Spanish Civil War, where he saw the Catholic Church collaborating with fascist regimes, reinforced his skepticism toward organized Christianity. This anti-religious sentiment is also reflected in Animal Farm, where the character Moses and his tales of "Sugar candy Mountain" symbolize religion’s role in pacifying the oppressed.
Conclusion :-
The video concludes by arguing that 1984 is not only a critique of totalitarian political systems but also a warning against the dangers of religious institutions that demand absolute obedience. It suggests that Orwell viewed both political and religious ideologies as potential threats to democracy, capable of suppressing free thought and individuality.
Thank you for reading..
Reference:-
DoE-MKBU. "Critique of Religion | 1984 | George Orwell." YouTube, 21 Feb. 2023, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zh41QghkCUA.
DoE-MKBU. "God is Power | 1984 | George Orwell." YouTube, 21 Feb. 2023, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cj29I_MU3cA.
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