The Discourse of Historicity in George Orwell’s 1984



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Submitted May 21, 2023
Published Jun 18, 2023
10.24018/ejlang.2023.2.3.105

Abstract viewed = 2471 times

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The issues of historicity, the Party's control over memory and history, and the effect of Newspeak on historical consciousness are all covered in this in-depth analysis of George Orwell's dystopian classic 1984. This study explores the ways in which the Party manipulates historical records, the importance of comprehending historicity, and the ways in which language and memory are shaped and controlled within the novel's totalitarian society by drawing on the theories of New Historicism, including authors like Michel Foucault, Stephen Greenblatt, Catherine Gallagher, Hayden White, and Louis Montrose. By carefully examining these ideas, this analysis illuminates the complex relationship between language, memory, power, and historical interpretation, underscoring the perils of authoritarianism and the necessity of keeping a range of viewpoints and critical thinking.
Keywords: Authoritarianism Control George Orwell History Historicity Language Memory Manipulation New Historicism Party Power Totalitarianism

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