Psychoanalysis And Marxism And 1984 - 2034 Words

Psychoanalysis, Marxism, and 1984 Applying modern theoretical lenses to historic works can lead to an alternate understanding of a text - perhaps one the author did not intend. Novels, like George Orwell’s 1984, can be analyzed through multiple lenses. The strongest analysis, however, can be conducted through the lenses of Marxism and psychoanalysis. Through these complementary lenses, readers gain an understanding of social constructs (Marxism) and the effects of these constructs on human behavior (psychoanalysis). Relating these lenses, then, to the life of Orwell’s Winston Smith, readers can assess his place in society and understand how his role in the re-writing of history affected his life. Marxist theory is based upon the†¦show more content†¦Fear of this all powerful government, after having seen what the likes of Stalin, Mussolini, and Hitler were doing to the world, 1984 can be read as a warning about what society can evolve into if we allow it. Every society already contains a social hierarchy, allowing it to function and grow. How difficult would it be to take over this structure and bend it to new, nefarious needs? Isaac Asimov, celebrated science fiction author, reviewed 1984 for the New Worker publication. In the review, Asimov explored the governmental structure of the story. Orwell presents Big Brother as immortal, but has also given two ways to maintain â€Å"eternal tyranny† (Asimov 6). Asimov points out that in Orwell’s world, Goldstein was created as a universal symbol of hate. This universal symbol was a way to a way to control and â€Å"robotize† the masses. Asimov goes on to note that this is nothing new and that â€Å"every nation in the world has used various neighbours for the purpose of hate† (Asimov 6). He also points out that in order to maintain control, the government must rewrite history and makes that statement, â€Å"No one will check the lie against the facts, and, if they do, they will disbelieve the facts† (Asimov 6). People, in general, will believe what those in power say as long as it fits their own wants and needs. Machiavelli stated, â€Å"Men are so simple and so much inclined to obey immediate needs that a deceiver will never lack victims for his deception†Show MoreRelatedCriticism of Freudianism as Unscientific2247 Words   |  9 Pagesï » ¿Sigmund Freud and his critics: Criticism of Freudianism as unscientific Sigmund Freud today is honored as the founder of modern psychoanalysis. His concept of the human psyche has been used to analyze everything from individual psychologies to the structure of Hamlet. 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