If one harbours anywhere in one's mind a nationalistic loyalty or hatred, certain facts, although in a sense known to be true, are inadmissible.
George OrwellRead
The two aims of the Party are to conquer the whole surface of the earth and to extinguish once and for all the possibility of independent thought. There are therefore two great problems which the Party is concerned to solve. One is how to discover, against his will, what another human being is thinking, and the other is how to kill several hundred million people in a few seconds without giving warning beforehand.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote reflects the oppressive nature of totalitarian regimes, emphasizing the control over thought and life.
In this quote, George Orwell articulates the alarming ambitions of a totalitarian regime, highlighting its desire not only to dominate the physical world but also to eliminate any form of independent thought among individuals. The dual challenges presented by the Party showcase its relentless pursuit of power, revealing how authoritarian governments prioritize control over both the mind and body of the populace, ultimately dehumanizing society.
Themes
TotalitarianismControlIndependent ThoughtOppressionPower
In practice
Example use cases
This quote can be used in a discussion about the dangers of authoritarian governments.
More from George Orwell
All quotes →The creatures outside looked from pig to man, and from man to pig, and from pig to man again; but already it was impossible to say which was which.
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Political writing in our time consists almost entirely of prefabricated phrases bolted together like the pieces of a child's Meccano set. It is the unavoidable result of self-censorship. To write in plain, vigorous language one has to think fearlessly, and if one thinks fearlessly one cannot be politically orthodox.
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Not to expose your true feelings to an adult seems to be instinctive from the age of seven or eight onwards.
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As with the Christian religion, the worst advertisement for Socialism is its adherents.
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It is fatal to look hungry. It makes people want to kick you.
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