The Pen is Mightier than the Sword. The Role of Language in George Orwell’s Works

Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)

• Introduction
• Early Novels
• Burmese Days
• A Clergyman's Daughter
• Keep the Aspidistra Flying
• A Turning Point: Homage to Catalonia and Looking Back on the Spanish War
• Theoretical Works
• Overview
• Language
• Totalitarianism
• Animal Farm
• Nineteen Eighty-four
• The Role of Language in Nineteen Eighty-four
• Overview
• Language as the Ultimate Tool - Why?
• The Mechanisms of Power - How?
• Conclusion
• A Hopeless Fight?
• Orwell Today
• The Orwellian Prophecy
• Examples for Orwellian Aspects of Contemporary Life
• Overview
• Newspeak and Doublespeak
• Altering the Past and Surveillance
• Concluding Remarks
• Conclusion

Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)

This thesis aims to explore the role of language in the works of George Orwell. It will examine how Orwell uses language to depict the dangers of totalitarian regimes and the corrupting influence of power on language itself.

• The corrupting influence of power on language
• The role of language in totalitarian regimes
• The dangers of propaganda and manipulation
• The importance of free speech and critical thinking
• The impact of Orwell's works on contemporary culture

Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)

This thesis begins by exploring Orwell's early novels, demonstrating how his early work foreshadowed his later concerns with language and totalitarianism. It then analyzes Orwell's experiences during the Spanish Civil War and his subsequent shift in focus towards the dangers of totalitarian ideologies.

The thesis then examines Orwell's theoretical works, specifically focusing on essays that explicitly address the relationship between language and power. This section explores Orwell's views on the abuse of language for political purposes and his critique of propaganda.

Finally, the thesis delves into Orwell's two most famous novels, *Animal Farm* and *Nineteen Eighty-four*, analyzing how these works serve as warnings against totalitarian regimes and the dangers of linguistic manipulation.

The thesis concludes by examining the enduring legacy of Orwell's work and its relevance to contemporary society. It explores how Orwell's concepts and warnings continue to resonate in the modern world, where language continues to be a powerful tool of control and manipulation.

Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)

This thesis explores the themes of language, totalitarianism, propaganda, manipulation, power, freedom of speech, and critical thinking. It delves into Orwell's fictional works, theoretical essays, and the lasting influence of his work on contemporary culture.