If you are familiar with George Orwell’s novels, you would know he nails dystopias with heavy influences on different styles of leadership. 1884 by Orwell is exactly that. This dystopia has substation themes of totalitarianism and fascism. Written in the aftermath of World War II, Orwell’s narrative draws heavily from the horrors of both Nazi Germany and Stalinist Russia, blending elements of fascism and communism into a nightmarish vision of the future.

The novel’s depiction of Oceania, ruled by the omnipresent Big Brother and the Party, embodies many hallmarks of fascist regimes. The constant surveillance, exemplified by the ubiquitous telescreens, mirrors the oppressive control exerted by fascist states. The Party’s manipulation of language through Newspeak and its rewriting of history echo the propaganda tactics employed by fascist dictatorships to control thought and suppress dissent.

Orwell’s portrayal of the Party’s ideology, which he terms “oligarchical collectivism,” highlights the similarities between fascism and extreme forms of socialism. The novel suggests that both systems ultimately lead to the concentration of power in the hands of an elite, reducing the working classes to a state of virtual serfdom. This insight was particularly controversial among Orwell’s leftist contemporaries, who viewed fascism as the antithesis of socialism.

The book’s exploration of the Party’s use of perpetual war and the creation of an enemy to unite the populace against is reminiscent of fascist regimes’ tactics. Similarly, the cult of personality surrounding Big Brother mirrors the way fascist leaders like Hitler and Mussolini were venerated.

Orwell’s narrative carries a harrowing warning about the susceptibility of individuals to brainwashing and propaganda, particularly evident in the portrayal of the younger generation. The novel’s bleak conclusion serves as a powerful reminder of the fragility of individual freedom in the face of totalitarian power.

In 1984 Orwell masterfully combines elements of fascism and other totalitarian ideologies to create a timeless cautionary tale. The book remains deeply relevant, urging readers to remain vigilant against the erosion of civil liberties and the dangers of unchecked state power.