Final answer:
In George Orwell's 1984, technology is advanced in surveillance and control, such as through telescreens, while it has stalled in areas improving daily life, highlighting the Party's focus on maintaining power rather than citizen welfare.
Step-by-step explanation:
The role of technology in George Orwell's 1984 is central to the control that the Party exerts over Oceania. In some areas, technology is highly advanced, especially in methods that allow the Party to monitor and control the population. The ubiquitous telescreens, for example, not only broadcast propaganda but also act as surveillance devices, constantly watching citizens:
'The telescreen received and transmitted simultaneously. Any sound that Winston made, above the level of a very low whisper, would be picked up by it; moreover, so long as he remained within the field of vision which the metal plaque commanded, he could be seen as well as heard. There was of course no way of knowing whether you were being watched at any given moment.…' (Orwell, 1984)
However, in other areas, technological progress has stalled. Goods like clothing and food are of poor quality, reflecting a regression rather than advancement. This juxtaposition emphasizes the Party's priorities—control over the welfare of its citizens. The suppression of technologies that could improve daily life in favor of surveillance technologies signifies the Party's tyrannical rule and reflects Orwell's experiences of state control and the manipulation of technology during war times.