Writing Homework Help

Essay

Follow the assignment instructions and review the rubric:

The concept of doublethink is central to Orwell’s book. Doublethink also appears frequently in our lives now, though many people do not recognize it as such. In an essay, describe and analyze two instances of doublethink that you have encountered through your own observations, experiences, or other reading. At least one of the examples should be something you gleaned from the news (newspaper, radio, television, internet).

If you’d like, one of your examples can be drawn from your own experiences of doublethink. That is, looking back, are there times when you feel that you yourself exercised doublethink? Or have you encountered doublethink in your interactions with family, friends, religious institution, community, school, workplace, etc.?

This assignment should follow all the rules of proper grammar, mechanics, and spelling.

In the novel, the concept of doublethink is very important. Here are a few instances in the text:

George Orwell explains the concept of doublethink: “Doublethink means the power of holding two contradictory beliefs in one’s mind simultaneously, and accepting both of them.” Page 214

Even in using the word doublethink, it is necessary to exercise doublethink. For by using the word one admits that one is tampering with reality; by a fresh act of doublethink one erases this knowledge; and so on indefinitely, with the lie always one leap ahead of the truth. Ultimately, it is by means of doublethink that the Party has been able – and may, for all we know, continue to be able for thousands of years – to arrest the course of history. Page 214

“For certain purposes, of course, this is not true. When we navigate the ocean, or when we predict an eclipse, we often find it convenient to assume that the earth goes round the sun and that the stars are millions upon millions of kilometers away. But what of it? Do you suppose it is beyond us to produce a dual system of astronomy? The stars can be near or distant, according as we need them. Do you suppose our mathematicians are unequal to that? Have you forgotten doublethink” page 266.

Here are some examples of things you may find in your personal life:

Ordering the smallest drink size at a Starbucks is called “tall”

Caring about the environment, but still driving your car instead of walking or riding a bike.