LITERATURE, MODERN TECHNOLOGIES AND CRIMES PREVENTION IN GEORGE ORWELL’S NINETEEN EIGHTY-FOUR

Abstract

This study examines the deployment of modern security technologies in crimes prevention and control as portrayed in George Orwell’s Nineteen Eighty-Four. It adopts the Sigmund Freudian Psychoanalytic theoretical framework which focuses on the levels of consciousness and the structure of personality of the characters in societies. The primary text is subjected to literary analysis with secondary materials gathered through the internet and was further utilized to substantiate issues in the discussion. The paper finds that the protagonist and other characters are conscious of the installation of modern technologies in strategic places but the instinctual drives to satisfy their emotional desires plays significance role in their lives. The protagonist, Winston and Julia attempt to violate the Party’s sanction on sexual relationship as a measure to suppress birth control and rebellion in the nation. The Party deploys the use of telescreens and microphones apart from Thought Police and the use of children as spies to regulate thoughts, perceptions and behavioural patterns of individuals and groups against the totalitarian dictatorship of Big Brother. The study concludes that modern technologies can be deployed to prevent crimes and criminality in societies but they become abused if employed to suppress and exploit the citizens whose inalienable rights are being infringed upon by despotic leadership.