The classic novel "1984", by George Orwell, successfully explores issues of power and gender using allegory. Orwell strongly communicates these issues through the characters of Winston and Julia as well as through the structure of the Three Parties. He uses irony to give the reader a better understanding of who, in his fictional world, holds the power.
The main theme of "1984" is power and Orwell digs deeply into the exploitation, struggles and abuses committed by those who possess it. In the novel, there are three distinct societal classes: the Inner Party, the Outer Party, and the Proles. With a totalitarianism system in place, each party is given certain rules and responsibilities, and through these, we're able to determine the level of power each party has. The Inner Party has few rules and responsibilities. As a result, we conclude that they not only have a great amount of power, but they lead an easy and luxurious life. An example from the text states, "The whole atmosphere of the huge block of flats, the richness and spaciousness of everything, the unfamiliar smells of good food and good tobacco, the silent and incredibly rapid lifts sliding up and down, the white-jacketed servants hurrying to and fro, everything was intimidating.""(Orwell 175). .
The Outer Part do not lead such a fantastic life; however their life is full of rules and responsibilities to their communities. Members of the Outer Party are constantly forced to take part in events such as the two minute hate, and they are bound by rules which affect their day to day activities. They are constantly monitored by telescreens and live in fear of vaporization. Also, the Outer Party members are continually starved as they are handed out Rations, rather than money. They are cramped together in apartment buildings with small rooms. The place where Winston stays is called Victory Mansions.
