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There also exists manipulation of the source texts on which the historical commentary relies, carried out with the intention of supporting a certain thesis. Systematic misrepresentation of this type has become important, for example, in the contemporary production of daily news. (7)
(7) The systematic manipulation of the news media has been addressed not only by historiographers and scholars in this field but also by authors of fiction, among them George Orwell, who in his book 1984 gave one of the more complete descriptions.
In: Historiological Discussions, Silo
Chapter 1: The Past as Viewed from the Present 1.1 The Distortion of Mediated History
George Orwell (1903 - 1950)
George Orwell (1903 - 1950)
Writer.
Writer.
Biographical data
Biographical data
1903: Born Eric Arthur Blair on 25 June in Motihari, India, he grew up in a British colonial family.
1922–27 Police service in Burma: After his education at Eton College, Orwell joins the Imperial Police Service in Burma, which shapes his critical attitude towards colonialism.
1933 Publication of Down and Out in Paris and London: His first book describes his experiences in poverty and establishes his literary reputation.
1936–37: Participation in the Spanish Civil War: Orwell fights on the Republican side and later describes his experiences in My Catalonia (1938).
1945: Publication of Animal Farm: The satirical fable about the Russian Revolution is a great success and makes Orwell internationally known.
1949 Publication of 1984: His most famous work, a dystopian warning against totalitarianism, is published.
1950 Orwell dies of tuberculosis at the age of 46.
Topics
His life and work reflect his personal experiences: his rejection of British imperialism after serving in Burma; his commitment to democratic socialism after seeing poverty in London and Paris; and his opposition to Nazism and Stalinism, shaped by his participation in the Spanish Civil War.
Totalitarianism, authoritarianism, imperialism and colonialism: Orwell criticises totalitarian forms of government, such as in ‘1984’, where state surveillance and the manipulation of truth are central; in his essays and novels, such as ‘The Burmese Days’, he criticises British imperialism and its dehumanising effects.
Social injustice: In works such as Animal Farm, he examines how power structures oppress the working class and how ideals can be betrayed.
Manipulation of language: Orwell explores how language can be used as an instrument of control and propaganda, especially in 1984 with the concept of Newspeak.
The struggle for truth: His characters often fight against disinformation and propaganda, which reflects his own concern for truth in a world full of lies.
Humanity and suffering: Orwell is interested in the human experience of pain and suffering and in the need for empathy and solidarity between people.
Social classes: Orwell deals with class differences and their impact on interpersonal relationships and social structures.
The nature of power: In his works, he often analyses how power corrupts individuals and institutions, as well as the dynamics between oppressors and oppressed.
Literary works
‘Down and Out in Paris and London’ (1933) - An autobiographical account of his life in poverty in both cities.
‘Burmese Days‘ (1934) - A novel criticising British imperialism in Burma, based on his own experiences as a colonial police officer.
‘A Clergyman's Daughter’ (1935) - A novel about the life of a young woman struggling with her identity and society's expectations.
‘Keep the Aspidistra Flying‘ (1936) - A novel about a poet trying to free himself from the constraints of society and materialism.
‘The Road to Wigan Pier’ (1937) - A book that combines a sociological study of the living conditions of workers in northern England with reflections on socialism.
‘Homage to Catalonia‘ (1938) - An autobiographical account of his experiences in the Spanish Civil War, where he fought on the side of the Republican forces.
‘Animal Farm’ (1945) - A political allegory about animals revolting against their human masters, criticising totalitarianism and the corruption of idealism.
‘Nineteen Eighty-Four‘ (1949) - A dystopian novel that explores the dangers of totalitarianism, government surveillance and the manipulation of truth.
‘Facing Unpleasant Facts: Narrative Essays’ (1961, posthumous) - A collection of essays on a variety of topics that reflect his critical style and commitment to truth.
Influence
G. Orwell has left an indelible mark on popular culture, influencing not only language and art but also critical thinking about politics and contemporary society. His ability to address universal themes such as power and truth ensures his place as a seminal work in modern cultural discourse.
Why is he mentioned by Silo in ‘Historiological Discussions’?
Silo quotes George Orwell in listing the four errors in dealing with historical facts:
1. The intentional introduction into history of the moment (his landscape) in which the historian himself lives, as well as into myth, religion and literature.
2. The manipulation of sources,
3. Simplification and stereotyping
4. ‘Censorship’ through epochal influences.
The manipulation of sources is not only addressed by scientists and historians, but also by fiction writers such as George Orwell in ‘1984’. The fictional novel describes how propaganda or the narrative of power can manipulate data and world views.
1984 illustrates how a totalitarian regime can manipulate history and truth to maintain control over society, using techniques of rewriting history, language control, the destruction of sources and propaganda to shape public perception and eliminate any form of resistance or critical thinking:
Rewriting history: The Party controls the writing of history by constantly rewriting the events of the past. This is done by the Ministry of Truth, which alters historical records to conform to the Party's official version. In this way, the past becomes a tool for legitimising the present.
Language control: Orwell introduces the term ‘Newspeak’, a language designed to restrict critical thinking and individual expression. By reducing the vocabulary and simplifying the language, the Party seeks to eliminate terms that could challenge its authority, thus making criticism of the regime virtually impossible.
Destruction of sources: The party not only falsifies historical documents, but also destroys any sources that contradict its version of events. This ensures that there is only one official account and that any dissenting opinion is eradicated.
Manipulation of collective memory: History is presented as a malleable construct in which the past is constantly revised in line with the interests of the party. This leads to a kind of collective amnesia in which people trust neither their own memories nor historical reality.
Propaganda and social control: Through mass propaganda, the Party creates an idealised image of its government and history, presenting itself as infallible and always right. This strengthens the loyalty and conformity of the population.
The figure of Big Brother: Big Brother symbolises the Party's absolute control over the lives of citizens. His omnipresence reinforces the idea that everything is being monitored, discouraging any attempt to question or challenge the regime.
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