“Faded into Mist”: George Orwell’s 1984

Abstract

Abstract

In the light of Pierre Nora's contribution on memory studies and Hanna Arendt on totalitarianism, this article explores the function of memory in 1984. Arendt believes that memory is dangerous for the totalitarian powers, that is why they deliberately tackle memory for the sake of their present interests. Nora states that some issues have energetic power and those subjects are capable of retrieving the past memories. In Orwell 's 1984 past memories (ink, book, diary, and pen) are prohibited. This paper argues that in 1984, the past memory of Oceania is dangerous for the party, that is why the party distorts and falsifies past memories of the individuals who live in Oceania in a minute by minute manner. The reason is that controlling memories are connected with the identity and unity of the Oceanian community and it is the source of social stability. The memory does not serve the party; therefore, it is melted into mist by the party. Instead, the Big Brother invents a new type of memory that fulfills the party's ideological aims. Media is used for the implementation of this new memory.

Keywords

• Memory,Past,Totalitarianism

References

1. Arendt, Hannah. The Origins of Totalitarianism. Cleveland: World Pub. Co., 1967. Soft copy
2. Assmann, Jan, and John Czaplicka. "Collective memory and cultural identity." New German Critique 65 (1995): 125-133.
3. Foust Vinson, Sarah Katherine. "Storied Memories: Memory as Resistance in Contemporary Women's Literature." (2010).