"The Working Class and the Elite in 1984: A Marxist Perspective" (Draft)

An article arranged by:

- Daffa Ilhamnur Wachman (1205030059)
- Dena Aulia Nurul Annisa (1205030063)

Background:
1. Introduction

George Orwell's dystopian novel "1984" has long been recognized as a powerful critique of
totalitarianism, surveillance, and the erosion of individual freedom. However, less attention
has been paid to the novel's engagement with Marxist themes such as class struggle, power
relations, and the exploitation of the working class. This paper seeks to fill this gap by
analyzing "1984" through a Marxist lens, focusing specifically on the power struggle between
the ruling Party and the subjugated masses. By exploring the novel's portrayal of social class,
labor exploitation, and the manipulation of consciousness, this paper aims to shed new light
on the significance of "1984" as a Marxist critique of modern society.

2. Previous Studies

There have been numerous studies analyzing George Orwell's "1984" through a Marxist lens.
Here are a few examples:

1. "Marxism and Literary Criticism" by Terry Eagleton: This influential work of literary
theory examines the relationship between Marxist theory and literary analysis, and includes a
chapter on "1984" that explores the novel's critique of capitalist society and the totalitarian
state.

2. "Politics and the Novel" by Irving Howe: In this critical essay, Howe argues that "1984" is
a Marxist novel that exposes the horrors of totalitarianism and the dangers of a society in
which individual freedom is sacrificed for the sake of the state.

3. "George Orwell: A Literary Life" by Peter Stansky and William Abrahams: This biography
of Orwell includes a chapter on "1984" that discusses the novel's Marxist themes, such as the
exploitation of labor and the oppressive nature of the ruling class.
3. Pertanyaan

1. How does Orwell depict the working class in "1984", and what is their role in the power
struggle between the Party and the proles?

2. What is the relationship between labor exploitation and the maintenance of the ruling
Party's power, and how does this relate to Marxist theories of class struggle?

3. In what ways do the Party's tactics of surveillance, propaganda, and mind control serve to
reinforce the power of the ruling class, and how does this relate to Marxist theories of
ideology and false consciousness?

4. Jawaban dan Analisis

In 1984 by George Orwell, circumstances in which how the working class took place is
mainly represented by the main character of the novel itself, Winston Smith, who works for a
ruling party named Big Brother. In this ruling party itself, the social classes are also depicted
such as higher and lower-rank workers. The lower-rank workers as Winston himself are
indoctrinated to devote themselves to always follow and adhere to what the party tells them
to do, without any critical question thrown. As the lower-rank working class, however,
Winston then realizes that many things he's told to do are nonsense and questionable so that
he starts to rebel against the party. He's also indoctrinated that his allegiance to the party is a
privilege granted to him and what differentiates him from the proletariats.

On the other hand, the Party's tactics of surveillance, propaganda, and mind control serve to
reinforce the power of the ruling class is well-shown in the scene when every single thing
Winston does is strictly overseen by the Big Brother that he loses his own freedom to do
certain things he likes. He is convinced that all of such things are undertook to ensure that he
is in a safe condition under the Big Brother control. This sort of things somehow shows that
ideology and false consciousness is portrayed by the lack of freedom Winston has as a
working class man in this novel.

5. Conclusion:

In conclusion, the working class and the elite vibes in George Orwell’s 1984 are substantially
symbolized by the presence of the main character Winston. It is seen through some ironies in
the novel that the way working class people undertake their jobs is coercive. They are hardly
convinced by their rulers as if they do it sincerely, while they are actually unwittingly afraid
of getting punished if they don’t do their job properly and rebel against their rulers.
Reference:
Eagleton, Terry. Marxism and Literary Criticism. University of California Press, 1976.

Howe, Irving. "Politics and the Novel." Dissent, vol. 4, no. 4, 1957, pp. 319-332.

Stansky, Peter, and William Abrahams. George Orwell: A Literary Life. Yale University
Press, 1995.

Bounds, Philip. "Orwell and Marxism." Literature and History, vol. 16, no. 2, 2007, pp. 23-
37.

Williams, Raymond. Marxism and Literature. Oxford University Press, 1977.

Ryan, Alan. "The Relevance of George Orwell's '1984' to the Problem of Communism." The
Review of Politics, vol. 29, no. 3, 1967, pp. 325-343.

Vonnegut, Kurt. "George Orwell: The Author of 1984." The Nation, vol. 175, no. 21, 1952,
pp. 466-467.