Propaganda creates conflict in both reality and dystopian fiction by striving to control how people think. In 1984, Winston’s main internal conflict is a direct result of it. He is surrounded by propaganda “asleep or awake, working or eating, indoors or out of doors, in the bath or in bed—[without] escape” (Orwell 27). The abundance and prevalence of telescreens, hate week, executions, and other information promoting Big Brother or the Party make Winston unsure of what to think; he feels isolated as everyone else around him never doubts any of it. For example, after an update on the war effort, Winston realized that the ally and enemy were switched but he questioned “where did that knowledge exist” as “all others accepted the lie which the Part imposed”. Winston often remembered things or experiences past but disregarded them of they went against the stream of propaganda. However, Winston isn’t alone with this conflict of being subject to propaganda. Just as Orwell warned in the book, propaganda can be used just as effectively in the the real world, and it is by the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria.
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ISIS's graphic videos are tools of modern propaganda used to control the people. They successfully create an atmosphere full of fear and helplessness while sending their message to other nations. According to a leading political writer, Matt Welch, “ISIS’ beheading videos were carefully composed to maximize Western attention and dread” so that ISIS would be widely known and feared (Welch WWW). The videos create conflict a conflict with outside nations. People are quick to fear ISIS as a result of the videos and want them stopped to prevent more brutal killings. Because the footage is dramatic, it has “gained significant media attention” and allowed ISIS “to extend its message widely and potentially expand its recruiting” (Almukhtar WWW). The videos also increase the size of the current conflict because the videos are “inspirational” to other extremists and dissuade locals from helping the opposition. Just as the hanging of war criminals was a “popular spectacle” in 1984, brutal executions by ISIS serve to create conflicts of thought within the minds of the people.
The Inner Party in 1984 strives to control society through propaganda and, for the most part, succeeds in doing so. 1984 serves as a warning to contemporary society about the dangers of propaganda and of the conflicts that it can create. It is a warning that we should heed as we are seeing beheading videos from ISIS. Propaganda is dangerous and has the capability to control us, but only if we give it the power to.
The Inner Party in 1984 strives to control society through propaganda and, for the most part, succeeds in doing so. 1984 serves as a warning to contemporary society about the dangers of propaganda and of the conflicts that it can create. It is a warning that we should heed as we are seeing beheading videos from ISIS. Propaganda is dangerous and has the capability to control us, but only if we give it the power to.