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This 2.5 page paper discusses the similarities between Michel Foucault’s theories of panopticism and George Orwell’s novel “1984.” Bibliography lists 2 sources.
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2 pages (~225 words per page)
File: D0_HVfouorw.rtf
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Michel Foucault examines the modern penal system. Central to his observation is the concept of the "panopticon," which was first discussed by Jeremy Bentham. The panopticon is a circular building
with a tower at the center; the building is composed of cells that run its full width, and which have a window at each end (Foucault, 1995). An observer in
the tower can see the silhouettes of the prisoners in each of the cells, but they cannot see him or her; they never know whether or not they are being
observed (Foucault, 1995). As a result, they tend to behave as if they are always under observation, and discipline themselves: "Hence the major effect of the Panopticon: to induce in
the inmate a state of conscious and permanent visibility that assures the automatic functioning of power" (Foucault, 1995, p. 201). That is, when the prisoner believes he is always under
surveillance, power in this situation is always automatically conferred upon the observer. With regard to 1984, the telescreen surveillance and sexual repression seem to support Foucaults ideas to a point.
Certainly the constant surveillance under all conditions, the presence of Big Brother, the Thoughtpolice, Newspeak and other concepts work together to create an atmosphere of oppression and dread that is
remarkable in literature. But 1984 seems to go beyond the panopticon, which seems almost benign in comparison. The watch in the panopticon may or may not be there; the discipline
instilled results from the prisoners uncertainty. However, the members of Orwells society know without doubt that they are always being watched; even more importantly, they have to obey or they
are taken away and brainwashed, as happens to Winston, until they are once again in the mold of helpless obedience that is the backbone of the party (Orwell, 2007).
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