English Essay Langauge of Oppression
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you dont grasp the beauty of the destruction of words compare and contrast the use of language as both a tool for oppression and liberation in the novels 1984 and the clockwork orange using critical essays to support your argument
Language is one of the key attributes unique to humanity, words have allowed people to express themselves for thousands of years, yet it can also be used as a psychological tool of oppression. During times of oppression people have used language as a form of liberation which has allowed them to release themselves from their oppressors; a notable example would the African American slaves who used their masters language against them. Yet in 1984 with the introduction of newspeak the possibility of manipulating the language of the Oceanian oppressors seems almost futile as new speak is slowly destroying language and the ability for expression.
Language has always been perceived as key attribute of self expression and liberation, yet that is not always the case as censorship and oppression can manipulate the very essence of language. In 1984 old speak or English is slowly being killed off by the party and they are introducing newspeak which in the words of Syme whole aim of newspeak is to narrow the range of thought, thought crime will literally be impossible as there will be no way of expressing it. Through the introduction of newspeak the last old ideal of liberation will become extinct and no one will be able to even think outside of the parties intentions, this demonstrates the power of language as tool of oppression, as the populace of Oceania will no longer be able to freely articulate as they will no longer know how to. To the western world both during the time when this novel was first published and today this whole concept seems surreal and impossible to even contemplate, censorship and manipulation of language is indeed real. Furthermore the secretive totalitarian state of North Korea has used language as a tool of oppression; this is evident through interviews of people who have managed to venture to the secretive state. There are several similarities between the Peoples Republic and Oceania, and the control of language is a similarity which they both share. In addition censorship has a strong presence in North Korea and the state has complete control over everything. The North Korean people are only show what the party wants