1984 Essay - Fear is a Stronger Force Than Love

A leader who is feared by his people has much more control than a leader who is loved by his people. From the beginning of structured governments hundreds of years ago, leaders and government rulers have discovered that fear is what will keep you in power and prevent chaos in your country. The book, The Prince, written by the famous Italian political philosopher Nicolo Machiavelli explains this in great detail. In one of his best-known quotes, he says, “Since love and fear can hardly exist together, if we must choose between them, it is far safer to be feared than loved.” A society with a ruler that is feared is more organized and peaceful than one with a ruler that is loved. One could argue that in 1984 the people of Oceania love Big Brother, yet he still maintains strict control. But it only appears as if

In 1984, the totalitarian government and the abstract figure of Big Brother are able to control a society of millions of people, using fear. By creating fear within the people, the government is able to stay in power and avoid any commotion or disorder:

Love is usually not what it seems like in movies, few people will just willingly die with the person they love, or give their life to save him/her. Most people, if facing torture, physical pain, or death, would quickly and unhesitatingly exchange places with anyone, even their loved ones, in order to relieve themselves from the suffering. This is what prevents love from being as great of a force as fear; all humans are naturally selfish. After Winston was captured and found guilty, he was tortured and beaten several times. Finally, as starving rats were about to be placed on his face, he shouted, “Do it to Julia! Do it to Julia! Not me! Julia! I don’t care what you do to her. Tear her face off, strip her to the bones. Not me! Julia! Not me!” (286). He was in love with Julia, but when he was confronted with pain, he promptly forgot about his love and wished for the torture to be inflicted upon Julia instead. As they were discussing what had happened in Room 101, Julia says, “They threaten you with something – something you can’t stand up to, can’t even think about… You want it to happen to the other person. You don’t give a damn what they suffer. All you care about is yourself.” (292). Julia said she had felt the same way Winston did when

Some topics in this essay:
Police Wherever, Nicolo Machiavelli, , Julia Winston, Julia Julia, loved people, fear people, force love, government oceania, love fear, people oceania, fear humans, people fear, leader loved, feared leader,