This blog is written as a task assigned by the head of the Department of English (MKBU), Prof. and Dr. Dilip Barad Sir. Here is the link to the professor's blog for background reading: Click here.
Video: 1 : "God is Power"
Analysis of '1984' and the Phrase 'God is Power'
In this in-depth analysis of George Orwell's 1984, the discussion revolves around the phrase 'God is power' and its significance in the totalitarian world of Oceania. The Party's control extends beyond mere governance—it dictates reality, truth, and even the nature of belief itself. O'Brien, a representative of the Party, asserts that power is the ultimate force, replacing traditional religious or moral frameworks. This discussion dissects how Orwell critiques both totalitarian authority and religious ideology, exposing the dangers of unchallenged control over the mind and soul of a society.
The Absence and Reappearance of God in 1984
One striking aspect of 1984 is the near absence of religious references for most of the novel. The word 'God' is scarcely mentioned until later in the book, and when it does appear, it is not in the context of spiritual salvation but as a manifestation of absolute power. Orwell deliberately delays the introduction of God into the narrative to illustrate how totalitarian regimes can strip away not just political freedom but also spiritual and existential meaning.
Orwell, a well-known critic of religion, embeds this theme into 1984 in a way that equates faith with submission to authority. The Party positions itself as an omnipotent force, replacing God with its own absolute control. The phrase 'God is power' is not an affirmation of religious faith but rather a chilling declaration of the Party’s philosophy. In Orwell’s dystopia, power itself becomes the divine entity—something to be feared, worshipped, and obeyed without question.
Surveillance, Control, and Psychological Manipulation
Oceania is a society where the Party's surveillance apparatus monitors every aspect of life. Telescreens, the Thought Police, and informants ensure that deviation from Party doctrine is impossible. Citizens are not only controlled externally but are also trained to regulate their own thoughts through self-censorship and fear.
One of the Party’s most insidious tools is doublethink—the ability to hold contradictory beliefs simultaneously. The phrases 'War is Peace,' 'Freedom is Slavery,' and 'Ignorance is Strength' are prime examples of how the Party reshapes reality. This psychological manipulation ensures that even when individuals recognize contradictions, they remain powerless to resist. The phrase 'God is power' extends this logic: the Party dictates truth, and if it says that God is synonymous with power, then that must be accepted as an unquestionable fact.
Power as the Ultimate Authority
O'Brien’s conversation with Winston reveals the true philosophy of the Party. He argues that reality is not an objective truth but something the Party defines: 'Reality is inside the skull.' In this worldview, power is the only constant, and morality, religion, and personal conviction are meaningless. 'We are not interested in those who oppose us. We are interested solely in power.'
Orwell uses this moment to critique not just totalitarianism but also the dangers of any system—political or religious—that demands absolute obedience. If power itself becomes the highest authority, then there is no need for ethical considerations, individual thought, or human compassion. The Party's control over reality, history, and even language itself ensures that it remains unchallenged.
Dehumanization and Loss of Identity
The Party does not merely seek compliance—it seeks to erase personal identity altogether. Winston’s journey from rebellion to complete submission demonstrates this process of dehumanization. By the novel’s end, he no longer possesses independent thoughts, feelings, or desires. His final acceptance of Party doctrine is not just ideological but existential; he ceases to be an individual.
The phrase 'God is power' embodies this transformation. If power is the only truth, then humanity itself is irrelevant. This concept resonates beyond 1984, serving as a warning against any system that strips individuals of autonomy and critical thought in favor of blind allegiance.
Manipulation of Truth and Historical Revisionism
A central theme in 1984 is the Party’s control over truth. 'Who controls the past controls the future; who controls the present controls the past.' By rewriting history and erasing inconvenient facts, the Party constructs a reality where it is infallible. Orwell illustrates how dangerous this kind of revisionism can be, drawing parallels to real-world regimes that manipulate facts to maintain power.
In the same way that the Party dictates history, it also dictates belief. The assertion that 'God is power' is not just a claim but an enforced reality. If the Party says it, then it must be true. This reflects Orwell’s broader critique of systems—whether political or religious—that demand absolute submission to their version of truth.
Critique of Religion and Ideology
Orwell’s critique does not stop at political totalitarianism; he also questions the role of religious ideologies in shaping societies. The transition from worshiping God to worshiping the Party illustrates how authority structures, whether secular or spiritual, can become tools of control. By redefining God as power, Orwell suggests that blind faith—whether in a deity, a leader, or a government—can be manipulated to justify oppression.
Conclusion: The Enduring Relevance of Orwell’s Warning
Through the phrase 'God is power,' Orwell offers a chilling examination of how totalitarian systems erase individuality, rewrite history, and reshape belief to maintain control. The novel serves as both a critique of oppressive political regimes and a broader warning against any ideology—religious or secular—that seeks absolute dominance over human thought.
By analyzing this phrase in depth, we gain a deeper understanding of Orwell’s message: power, when unchecked, does not just control people’s actions; it controls their very perception of reality. 1984 remains a powerful cautionary tale, urging readers to question authority, resist manipulation, and safeguard their own ability to think and believe freely.
Video: 2 : Critique of Religion
Religious Parallels in 1984: An In-Depth Analysis
George Orwell’s 1984 is widely recognized as a political critique of totalitarian regimes, but a deeper analysis reveals that the novel also serves as a pointed critique of organized religion, particularly Catholicism. Orwell embeds religious symbolism and structures within the Party’s mechanisms of control, drawing direct parallels between political oppression and religious dogma. The Party’s hierarchical structure, the ritual of confession, the omnipresence of Big Brother, and the psychological manipulation through suffering all mirror aspects of religious institutions, illustrating Orwell’s broader warning about the dangers of absolute power.
These parallels are not accidental; Orwell’s personal experiences shaped his critical stance toward organized religion. His time during the Spanish Civil War, where he witnessed the Church’s alignment with fascist forces, reinforced his belief that religious institutions often serve as tools of control rather than sources of moral or spiritual guidance. Through 1984, Orwell demonstrates how both religious and political systems manipulate human belief to maintain power, urging readers to recognize and resist such oppression.
1. Orwell’s Dual Critique: Totalitarianism and Religion
Orwell’s 1984 is primarily interpreted as a political allegory, but it simultaneously critiques organized religion’s role in exerting control over individuals. The Party’s methods of oppression are strikingly similar to the ways in which religious institutions have historically maintained authority over societies. By embedding religious parallels within a dystopian setting, Orwell challenges both political and religious structures that demand blind obedience and suppress independent thought.
The Party’s rule is absolute, much like the authority of religious institutions throughout history. Just as religious organizations have dictated moral and social norms, often enforcing compliance through fear, the Party manipulates truth, erases individuality, and punishes dissent. The fusion of political and religious control in 1984 suggests that Orwell saw both as tools for subjugating the masses.
2. The Three Superstates as Abrahamic Religions
The three superstates in 1984—Oceania, Eurasia, and East Asia—represent more than just geopolitical entities; they can also be interpreted as symbolic representations of the three major Abrahamic religions: Christianity, Judaism, and Islam. These faiths have historically been in ideological and sometimes violent conflict, much like the perpetual wars between the superstates in the novel.
The Party manipulates war to maintain control, just as religious institutions have historically used doctrinal differences to justify wars and persecutions. The ever-shifting alliances and enmities between the superstates mirror the way religious factions have fluctuated between coexistence and hostility, often at the expense of the common people. Orwell’s depiction of this endless cycle of conflict serves as a critique of how ideological divisions—whether political or religious—are exploited to consolidate power.
3. Confession as a Tool of Control
One of the most striking religious parallels in 1984 is the concept of confession. The Party forces individuals to confess their "sins" against the regime, extracting false confessions through psychological and physical torture. This mirrors the Catholic practice of confession, where believers admit their sins to a priest to seek absolution.
However, while religious confession is framed as a path to redemption, the Party’s version serves a more sinister purpose: it reinforces its control by erasing independent thought and ensuring absolute submission. The forced confessions in 1984 strip individuals of their agency, compelling them to betray themselves and others. This reflects Orwell’s concern that religious institutions, under the guise of spiritual guidance, can be used to manipulate people into compliance.
4. Big Brother as a Divine Figure
Big Brother’s omnipresence in 1984 is eerily similar to the concept of an all-seeing, all-knowing deity in monotheistic religions. The Party presents Big Brother as a benevolent yet omnipotent force, watching over citizens at all times, ensuring their loyalty, and punishing transgressions. This mirrors the religious belief in an omnipresent God who observes and judges human actions.
The Party's constant surveillance is justified as a form of protection, much like religious teachings that frame divine watchfulness as an act of care. The phrase "Big Brother is watching you" echoes the idea that God sees everything, reinforcing a culture of fear and obedience. This parallel suggests that Orwell viewed the manipulation of belief—whether political or religious—as a powerful tool for control.
5. The Party’s Hierarchical Structure as a Religious Organization
The Party’s rigid hierarchy bears a strong resemblance to religious leadership structures. The Inner Party functions like a priesthood, controlling knowledge and interpreting the "truth" for the masses. Just as religious authorities claim to be the gatekeepers of divine wisdom, the Inner Party dictates reality, deciding what is true and false.
The Party demands unwavering faith from its followers, much like religious institutions demand faith from their believers. The suppression of doubt and critical thinking within the Party reflects how religious organizations have, at times, discouraged questioning in order to maintain their authority. Orwell’s critique suggests that blind faith—whether in a political or religious leader—can be dangerous, as it allows those in power to shape reality according to their own interests.
6. Room 101 as Religious Punishment (Purgatory or Hell)
Room 101, the infamous torture chamber in 1984, serves as a psychological and physical crucible designed to break individuals completely. It can be interpreted as a secular version of purgatory or even hell, where sinners suffer until they are purified of their disloyalty to the Party.
This bears similarities to the concept of purgatory in Catholicism, where souls undergo suffering to cleanse themselves of sin before reaching salvation. In 1984, however, the suffering in Room 101 does not lead to redemption but to total submission. The experience erases individuality and ensures complete obedience to the Party, demonstrating the extreme lengths to which totalitarian and religious institutions may go to enforce loyalty.
7. Orwell’s Personal Discontent with Religion
Orwell’s critique of organized religion in 1984 is deeply personal and shaped by his real-world experiences. During the Spanish Civil War, he witnessed the Catholic Church align itself with fascist forces, reinforcing his belief that religious institutions often serve as enforcers of authoritarian rule rather than champions of moral integrity.
His disillusionment with organized religion is reflected in 1984, where the Party functions much like a religious institution that demands unwavering faith, punishes heresy, and enforces its own version of truth. Orwell’s portrayal of the Party’s mechanisms suggests that he saw both political and religious systems as capable of exploiting human beliefs for control.
Final Reflections
Orwell’s 1984 is not just a warning against totalitarianism; it is also a critique of the dangers posed by organized religion when it becomes intertwined with power. The novel draws strong parallels between political oppression and religious structures, highlighting how both can manipulate human beliefs to enforce control.
By embedding religious symbolism into the Party’s rule, Orwell challenges readers to critically examine the ways in which authority—whether political or spiritual—demands submission. His novel serves as a cautionary tale against blind faith in any system, urging individuals to question the structures that govern their lives.
References :
DoE-MKBU. (2023b, February 21). Critique of Religion | 1984 | George Orwell [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zh41QghkCUA
DoE-MKBU. (2023c, February 21). God is Power | 1984 | George Orwell [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cj29I_MU3cA
Orwell, G. (1984). 1984. In Planet eBook [Book]. https://www.planetebook.com/free-ebooks/1984.pdf
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