Title: An Analysis of the Use of Propaganda in the Dystopian Societies Presented in The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood, 1984 by George Orwell, and Fidel Castro’s Government in Cuba – Kylie's Blog
Headings: An Analysis of the Use of Propaganda in the Dystopian Societies Presented in The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood, 1984 by George Orwell, and Fidel Castro’s Government in Cuba
An Analysis of the Use of Propaganda in the Dystopian Societies Presented in The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood, 1984 by George Orwell, and Fidel Castro’s Government in Cuba
Figure 1: A Handmaid views the bodies of criminals hanging on the Wall, with their crimes visible for all to see on a plaque on their chests (Wong).
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Content: While walking with Ofglen one day, Offred sees bodies belonging to doctors and scientists who likely worked in abortion clinics at one time (an illegal practice in Gilead). She notes that “they have committed atrocities and must be made into examples, for the rest” (Atwood 33). For this reason, Gilead boasts fairly docile citizens because the government keeps tight control over virtually all aspects of life through prevalent use of propaganda. Figure 1: A Handmaid views the bodies of criminals hanging on the Wall, with their crimes visible for all to see on a plaque on their chests (Wong). In his novel 1984, George Orwell implements propaganda, particularly the type that incites violence, as a very blatant means of promoting sentiments of nationalism throughout Oceania. Because Oceania is a militant state, its strength and stability comes from its tumultuous relationship with Eurasia and Eastasia, and Winston “could not definitely remember a time when his country had not been at war” (Orwell 32)These countries fight the wars without true motive, as these three major superpowers cannot decimate one another. The major function of wars, besides using up all the surplus of goods in the society, is to “preserve the special mental atmosphere that a hierarchical society needs” (Orwell 199), giving rise to the Party slogan “War is Peace.” Essentially, Orwell creates a society in which war and violence serve not only as a way of keeping balance and order, but also to serve as a rallying point for the citizens. For instance, posters that decorate the city center proclaim war with Eurasia, but on a whim, the Party changes the enemy nation to Eastasia and eliminates all traces of the past war with Eurasia.