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How is the slogan “freedom is slavery” true in 1984? Use textual evidence in your answer.

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Final answer:

The slogan "freedom is slavery" is true in George Orwell's 1984 due to the concept of doublethink, where the Party manipulates the meaning of freedom. Examples include the use of Newspeak to control thoughts and Winston Smith's acceptance of the Party's rule.

Step-by-step explanation:

The slogan "freedom is slavery" is true in George Orwell's 1984 because it represents the concept of doublethink in the dystopian society. Doublethink is the ability to hold two contradictory beliefs at the same time and believe them both to be true. In 1984, the Party manipulates the meaning of freedom to control the minds of the citizens. They believe that by giving up their individual freedom and submitting to the Party's rule, they are actually achieving true freedom and happiness.

One example of how the slogan is true in the novel is through the concept of Newspeak, the Party's language. Newspeak aims to limit the range of thought by eliminating words that express rebellious or independent thinking. By reducing the vocabulary and simplifying language, the Party controls the thoughts and actions of the citizens. This restricted language limits their ability to think critically and question the Party's control, thus enslaving them.

Another example can be seen in the character of Winston Smith, the protagonist of the novel. Winston initially rebels against the Party's control and seeks freedom from their oppressive rule. However, as he is tortured and manipulated by the Party, he ultimately comes to accept that true freedom is found in unquestioning loyalty to Big Brother and the Party, even though it means sacrificing his own individuality and freedom of thought.

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