Conflict

After analyzing the novel 1984 by George Orwell, there is no doubt that the conflict that appears in the book's plot has also been influenced by the post-colonial theory. There are several different types of conflicts that can appear in a narrative such as the one that is being dissected, such as man versus nature, man versus man, and even man versus self. However, in the case of the book 1984, the conflict that the audience is being presented with is the issue of man versus society - Winston Smith against The Party. Winston, the protagonist of the novel, begins to question the society he resides in - Air Strip One, Oceania, currently under the jurisdiction of the totalitarian government known across the fiction world as 'The Party'. Oceania is technologically advanced, having surveillance devices in all homes keeping watch on its citizens, making sure that there is no committing of 'thoughtcrimes'.The Party effectively controls almost all aspects of life within its colonies, something that irks Winston. He hates the way The Party represses the potential relationships he can have, as well as his 'sexual desires'. He hates the way The Party propagates false information, and forces people to believe it with doublethink. He also hates how they convince everyone that Big Brother is always right, giving fire to a sense of rebellion in Winston. Winston makes it clear right from the start that his position on the government is negative with him despising the totalitarian government, but on the other hand he is too afraid to speak out because he knows first hand how the government deals with internal opposition. Winston goes through with this sort of 'rebellion' by performing small thoughtcrimes, until finally writing 'DOWN WITH BIG BROTHER' into his journal. Shortly after, Winston is apprehended for his crimes, tortured, and brainwashed to follow the orders of The Party. The relationship between The Party and its inhabitants is analyzed well within the story via the post-colonial theory. The oppressive totalitarian government expands its influence to neighboring states, colonizing and forcing its ideals onto the indigenous people. This is a pattern within imperialism, which is no different within the novel 1984.