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1984 and Reality
In June, 1989 an event that would shock the world and change history forever took place, or did it? This event was captured on video, documented in photographs and witnessed by millions, but to this day, the one, ten, hundreds, or millions of people who died at Tiananmen Square are denied by the Chinese government. While this may seem impossible in this age of media invasion of information, it was foretold in George Orwell’s cautionary tale of government control, 1984. The events of Tiananmen Square and 1984 are oddly similar which is discussed in William Lutz’s article “No One Died at Tiananmen Square.” Both use government as an abuser of power and manipulation of the mind over reality.
In Orwell’s vision of the future, the totalitarian government of Oceania is in complete control of its people, just as the Communist party in China controls all aspects of life. O’Brien explains to Winston, “We are interested solely in power. Not wealth or luxury or long life or happiness; only power, pure power (Orwell 275). Similarly, Communist China is not interested in the welfare of its people, but in the complete submission and compliance of its citizens. As demonstrated at the Tiananmen Square protest, the Chinese government sent in troops to kill all those who opposed party leaders. Those who did not agree with party leaders were eventually “talked to” and “apologize[d] for bringing great harm to the Party and the country” (Lutz). In both governments, those in control used power in an abusive way to force compliance and love for those in power.