Psychological Manipulation in 1984
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In the novel, 1984, George Orwell portrays psychological manipulation when he writes, "The frightening thing, he reflected for the ten thousandth time as he forced his shoulders painfully backward (with hands on hips, they were gyrating their bodies from the waist, an exercise that was supposed to be good for the back muscles)-the frightening thing was that it might all be true. If the Party could thrust its hand into the past and say of this or that event, it never happened-that, surely, was more terrifying then mere torture and death" (34). This statement shows that the government has the power to actually alter history. Even if a person has lived through a certain event it does not mean that that person's memory will coincide with history.
The telescreen, which Winston is watching in the above passage, is the main source for psychological manipulation. The ever-present telescreen constantly reminds people that "Big Brother is watching them" so that they do not try to do anything wrong. It does not allow them to think what they want to or do what they want to do, and therefore it has control over the people's thoughts and actions. Also the telescreen is constantly spewing out propaganda for the Party. The party does this by not letting them think, because thinking is a crime and people get arrested for it. Also, the party has the people do physical jerks, which are painful exercises, while telling the people what is going on in their lives...