Propaganda in 1984

orwell-1984-propaganda - Epsilon Theory

Propaganda is a way of relaying information and communicating to a group of people. The information that is being shared is often influenced or biased. Often it is filled with lies and partial truths, with the intention of persuading a larger group of individuals. Propaganda appears often in George Orwell’s Nineteen Eighty-Four. Whether it is through telescreens, or slogans (ignorance is strength, freedom is slavery, war is peace), it is obvious to the reader that propaganda techniques are being used in the narrative. For example, the Two Minutes of Hate provokes chaos in which everyone must follow suite. This is an example of the “Bandwagon” propaganda technique. Another tactic being used by the party is “diversion” as they are constantly referencing a war in Eurasia, imposing information onto civilians to remain within Oceania. Finally, Nineteen Eighty-Four illustrates the “distorted data” technique by changing history and language.