1984 #1

Orwell writes in more than one of his publications about the direct relationship between the scope of a society’s vocabulary and the capacity of that society to think independently.  In a 1946 essay titled “Politics and the English Language”, Orwell warns that “if thought can corrupt language, language can also corrupt thought.”  He cautions his readers of the vicious circle of certain usages becoming too familiar and as a result losing or altering their connotations.  Orwell predicts that this effect on language could either limit or expand the consciousness of a civilization.  Naturally, Orwell utilizes this tactic in the very etymology of his new language, Newspeak.  In the appendix of 1984, which Orwell wrote two years after writing his essay, Orwell describes the language that he invents in order “to meet the ideological needs of Ingsoc, or English Socialism” (299).  Orwell portrays this Socialist society as dangerous and imprisoning, so it follows that “The purpose of Newspeak was…to make all other modes of thought impossible” (299).  The language accomplishes this by taking broad concepts and groups of terms that Ingsoc would like to do away with and condensing them into simple compound words.  For example, “All words grouping themselves round the concepts of liberty and equality…were contained into a single word crimethink,” the word crimethink meaning ‘heretical and forbidden thought’ (305).  Newspeak disposes of freedom by making it literally impossible to ponder; when a child does not grow up knowing a word associated with the concept of having the ability to do what you wish, it would be too difficult for the child to think of that concept without words, and the child could live his entire life never pondering the possibility of freedom.  The Party that rules Oceania can therefore control its people’s thoughts by limiting their vocabulary and abbreviating any concept that might be dangerous to the Party’s power, thereby limiting the thoughts that it is even possible to think.

Winston, the protagonist of 1984, is often caught up in the waves of passionate hatred toward people who deviate from the Party.  However, Winston sometimes catches glimpses of independent thought during which he can see the way the Party has brainwashed the people of Oceania.  During one of these short instances of independent thought, he makes eye contact with O’Brien, a fascinating and mysterious government agent.  At this moment, from this simple exchange of glances, Winston knows he is not alone.  An entire conversation passes between their eyes, one that says, “I know precisely what you are feeling.  I know all about your contempt, your hatred, your disgust [of the Party].  But don’t worry, I am on your side!” (17).  This instantaneous conversation is the antithesis of the way the Party uses abbreviated thought.  It shows how abbreviated thought can not only suppress thought, but serve as a vehicle for more abstract thought.  Instead of hiding the connotations of Winston’s thoughts of dissent, his eye contact with O’Brien carries them further than they could ever get with words.