PROPAGANDA
Last week Tina suggested that perhaps the novel itself is one elaborate piece of propaganda. What do you think? Does fiction that addresses political issues function as a subtle form of propaganda disguised as art? What is the distinction between propaganda and simply voicing one's political opinions? Can literature or, more generally, art change anything?
STRUCTURE
As we've just finished reading Part I and have moved on to Part II, I want to pose some questions about the novel's structure. What similarities do you notice between the beginning and ending of Part I? What function does Part I serve in the novel? Consider this, not much happens in Part I: Winston writes in a diary, goes to work, thinks a lot, drinks gin, talks to his colleagues, is fascinated by a female party member, and buys a paperweight. Or, would you argue that more takes place? Is Part I simply and a very long and involved exposition? While you've read very little of Part II, what differences do you notice already?
Propaganda is used by the Party and seen throughout the novel as far as we have read. Tina’s opinion of the novel itself being one elaborated piece of propaganda in my opinion is very interesting. According to the “New Oxford American Dictionary,” propaganda is defined as “information, esp. of a biased or misleading nature, used to promote or publicize a particular political cause or point of view.” Here the novel describes a controlling Party, through the eyes of Winston. The reader consequently is influenced by Winston’s opinions, which in this case, communicates an absurdity to the political system of the Party. Therefore, the book might be seen as a piece of propaganda.
ReplyDeleteIn my opinion, I believe that anything illustrating only one side of a situation or event, such as art, fiction addressing political issues, and a person voicing his/her opinion, can be interpreted as a form of propaganda. However, it only really becomes a form of propaganda when the public is influenced by it. This gives the people the power to believe what is expressed or not. In all, all forms of arts have influence on certain people, which therefore causes them to think differently, and change their beliefs, choices, and ways of life.
After reading Part 1 of the novel and some of Part 2, we can clearly see a difference between the two. Part 1 served more as an introduction and “tool” to draw/inform the reader of the situation. At the beginning and end of Part 1, Orwell mentions slogan, telescreens, “Big Brother,” and the “place where there is no darkness” (forms of propaganda). This generally sums up the mood of the novel and general setting, getting the reader ready for the “start” of the novel (course of actions in Part 2 and on). I call it more of the “start” of the novel in the sense that I personally believe that Part 1 was a long and involved exposition, and Part 2 starts the actions of the novel that might influence course of events. In Part 2, Winston and meets with Julia, which we learn is a character against the party, but different from Winston. Julia is more optimistic than Winston is, and does not have the “passive acceptance” of the situations Winston has.
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ReplyDeleteFrom Tristan: I believe that part 1 in the novel is almost wholly more important than part 2. I was immediately drawn in from the first page of this dystopia novel, however coming upon part 2 it seems to be grabbing at the threads of a boring love story. Which to me, although there is a large rebellious point to this action, draws away from the dark dreary mood that this novel has set. It paints the grey streets red and colourful, creating a fictitious grace period for Winston and Julia to enjoy, almost like a honeymoon. Which, personally, I hope ends as soon as possible to pick up this novels pace again. Julia as well as a new introduction is such a blatantly brainwashed character which I never expected someone like Winston to fall for. She stands for all the right reasons to rebel, attack and weaken Big Brother as much as she can. But when it comes to things like philosophy, dreams and history she is uninterested and doesn't seem to care how she came to live in such a horrid life but only to the on Propaganda & Structure
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