Invisible Enemy

 We keep hearing about the war that is going on between London and Eurasia, yet besides the bombs dropping in the city, there is no proof that there actually is a war. Seeing that the government has complete control over the media produced and can twist anything to their liking, they absolutely have the means to fabricate a war. They are even able to switch the name of the enemy from Eastasia to Eurasia without people remembering. As Julia brings up to Winston, it is possible that they could be dropping the bombs on their own people. As we've seen the Party doesn't really care for anything but their own control and survival, so killing innocent civilians does not seem out of sorts for that kind of government. Even the POWs that get carted through the streets when Julia and Winston are meeting could just be random people from elsewhere, rather than Eurasian soldiers.  

When you think about it, it's not that farfetched. After all, what better way to promote compliance and assert control than war or some national emergency. The first example that comes to my mind is the V for Vendetta movie (I don't remember if it was in the book as well). In the film, the Norsefire regime creates a deadly disease that they release upon their own citizens and blame on terrorists. Through this, they are able to assert a totalitarian regime. This seems to be the same goal of the Party. The war quells any resistance that may remain among the people, as the Party is leading the war and supposedly keeping them safe. Additionally, it allows the Party to save money through rationing food and supplies in the name of the war effort. Meanwhile, the inner-Party members can continue living their lavish lives. 

What do you guys think? Is the war real or is it just a ploy? 

Comments

  1. NiiicoFebruary 22, 2021 at 7:35 AM

    I think the 1984 "war is peace" slogan definitely fits in to this. As you mentioned, by continuing to promote a war with other countries, the elites are able to continue to hold all power in society. It also serves as a way to draw attention away from other aspect of the failed society; it doesn't matter how many people have shoes back home when the war effort is supposedly going strong.

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  2. Nicholas PFebruary 22, 2021 at 7:38 AM

    It reminds me of when Bush lied about Saddam Hussein having weapons of mass destruction in order to attack Iraq. The claims were totally fabricated, but they suited his warmongering agenda so he spat lies that he knew were false. The party's war against Eurasia/Oceania is just the same propaganda tool.

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  3. L. MoffittFebruary 22, 2021 at 7:39 AM

    Good question -- it does seem like all this is merely a war machine and it doesn't matter who the "enemy" is as long as it keeps going.

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  4. KiranFebruary 22, 2021 at 7:42 AM

    I think that the war likely started out as a real thing, however it could be very likely that after seeing the effects of the war they made up a fake one to keep the people under control. After all, if you have a war going on, it's the perfect reason to search people's houses, or take them away because they were a spy.

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