Orwellian Control «I had no money, I was weak, I was ugly, I was unpopular, I had a chronic cough, I was a coward, I felt…. The conviction that it was not possible for me to succeed was deep enough to influence my life” (qtd. in “George Orwell,” 13). George Orwell is one of the most anthologized authors of all time. He has written numerous novels, essays and critical writings. His work is strongly believed to be largely autobiographical as much of his real life influenced his writing. Orwell's works are deeply political. They are full of satire of the bad political actions he saw in the world at that time, and at the time what Orwell saw was the mistakes in the struggle for control and power of governments on the governed. Power is an interesting word in the English language; it has so many different meanings. In some cases, power can simply mean energy. Like the energy needed to light a house or the energy needed to move a truck. However, in this case, the word "power" takes on a darker and more threatening connotation. Orwell's definition of power is the possession of control or command over others; political control of every aspect of a person's life. Orwell writes on this theme numerous times. Among these occasions, a few works stand out and best illustrate the theme: Animal Farm, 1984, and "Shooting and Elephant". It is in these stories that a recurring theme is revealed. Power corrupts the people who exercise it and strive to maintain it and strive to keep its subjects powerless. George Orwell, through his works, describes how the powerful can rule over the powerless through the control of language and, subsequently, the control of thought. Animal Farm is a unique approach to criticism...... middle of paper. ..... to communicate as an individual instead of just a generic drone. The totalitarian utopia of 1984 perfectly illustrates that, thanks to the destruction of language, those in power can control the powerless to make them “equal,” “identical” compliant subjects. The power of words is what gives a person the strength and voice to face their enemies. Some people say that “ignorance is bliss”, but according to Orwell “ignorance is strength” – the strength of the party (Orwell, 1984 2). Works Cited “George Orwell: A Life”. Readings on Animal Farm. Ed. Terry O'Neill. San Diego: Greenhaven Press, 1998. Print. Kearney, Anthony. “Orwell’s Animal Farm and 1984.” Explainer 54.4 (1996): 238-240. Premier Academic Research. EBSCO. Internet. April 2, 2011.Orwell, George. 1984. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 1987---. Animal farm. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 1987