“Power, Propaganda, and the Pen: A Critical Essay on Orwell’s 1984 in the Age of Surveillance Capitalism”
Published on: farazparvez1.blogspot.com
By: Faraz Parvez (Pen name of Professor Dr. Arshad Afzal)
Power, Propaganda, and the Pen: A Critical Essay on Orwell’s 1984 in the Age of Surveillance Capitalism
There are books that entertain, and there are books that illuminate the world like a bolt of lightning. George Orwell’s 1984 is the latter. It is a novel that doesn’t just haunt literature shelves—it haunts the conscience of humanity. This essay takes a critical look at Orwell’s masterpiece in light of today’s world, where surveillance is less about soldiers and more about smartphones, where propaganda isn’t shouted—it’s softly whispered through curated feeds and trending hashtags.
Orwell’s Dystopia: A Literary Postmortem of Truth
In 1984, Orwell envisioned a world where language was controlled, memory was manufactured, and truth was a slippery illusion. At the core of this dystopia was the notion of “Newspeak”—a language designed to eliminate independent thought. Today, one could argue, Newspeak lives on in the strategic simplification and distortion of truth by corporations, media empires, and populist politics.
Consider modern slogans:
- “Data is the new oil.”
- “Enhancing user experience.”
- “Peace through strength.”
Each phrase is soaked in ambiguity—comforting, yet dangerous. Orwell warned us that language would not only reflect reality but shape it. In this critical analysis, we see how his warning rings terrifyingly true.
Big Brother Rebranded: From Dictator to Device
Orwell’s “Big Brother” was once a glaring, moustachioed emblem of totalitarianism. Today, Big Brother is subtler. He doesn’t yell from a telescreen—he whispers through your phone. The surveillance state is no longer solely a government project. It’s now a symbiotic partnership between private tech giants and state apparatuses. Facial recognition, geolocation tracking, behavior prediction: Orwell’s telescreen has become sleek, handheld, and addictive.
This essay critiques how surveillance capitalism thrives on Orwellian principles but wears the mask of convenience and personalization. We voluntarily surrender our data—not under threat, but in pursuit of convenience. Orwell predicted control through fear; we now face control through consent.
The Ministry of Truth: Now in Your Pocket
“Who controls the past controls the future. Who controls the present controls the past.”
This famous Orwellian mantra finds uncanny resonance in the age of AI-generated images, fake news, and social media echo chambers. Memory-holing inconvenient truths is now a feature, not a glitch.
In this critical lens, Orwell’s Ministry of Truth is reinterpreted not just as a state institution, but as a metaphor for the content moderation wars, historical revisionism, and algorithmic curation that shape public consciousness today. Truth is no longer absolute. It is fragmented, branded, and marketed.
Resistance, Rebellion, and Relevance
Why read Orwell today? Because the pen, even in digital form, still holds the power to resist. This critical essay urges readers to see 1984 not as mere fiction, but as a prophetic mirror. It compels us to ask: Are we already in Oceania, and if so, who is Winston now?
Whether it is the suppression of dissent, control over language, or the construction of mass delusion, Orwell’s world seems disturbingly familiar. But literature allows us to interrogate power without permission—and that is its most radical power.
Understanding the Critical Essay: A Note for Readers
A critical essay is more than a book report. It is an exercise in literary autopsy—cutting open the text, inspecting its organs, and understanding how it breathes. It involves analysis, interpretation, and argumentation. You’re not just reading—you’re conversing with the author, the time period, and the cultural forces that shaped the text.
We at farazparvez1.blogspot.com are launching a regular series of such essays to educate and inspire students, writers, and thinkers. Expect essays on fiction, poetry, current events, historical controversies, and global literature.
Stay with Us:
We promise you a literary feast—rich with satire, essays, fiction, and critical thought.
Become part of a thinking community that still values the art of reflection in the age of scrolling.
Contact the Author:
Email: arshadafzal2001@gmail.com
Twitter/X: @DrArshadAfzal1
Visit Us:
farazparvez1.blogspot.com
Literature that laughs, resists, and remembers.
