DOUBLE THINK AND DISTORTION OF HISTORY IN ORWELL’S 1984

Abstract

This study explores the  dystopian world in Orwell’s 1984 where the government, represented by the Party has complete power over all aspects of life, including the truth, the history, and even the reality. Doublethink is  the single most powerful tool the Party has in its quest to remain the unassailable ruler over its citizenry the practice of accepting two contradictory beliefs at the same time, like "War is Peace" and "Freedom is Slavery." This form of mental manipulation is useful for the Party to govern not just people but how they think, so dissent or rebellion is psychotic lightly as proposed ideas or way of thinking are forbidden. At the very heart of the Party's grip is the incessant manipulation of history; it is a reality in Orwell's world where the past is consistently massaged to suit the present demands of the regime. If true, historical facts are erased and written over to forge a new reality that serves the interests of the Party, making it nearly impossible for citizens to know what is true and what is false.  The article further explores  the extent to which these ideas, Doublethink and historical distortion, form the cornerstones of Orwell’s construction of a totalitarian power structure. By closely investigating these mechanisms, the paper discusses their influence on the sense of reality and critical thinking of the individual and position within the greater community under authoritarian governance.