The Party's use of technology is primarily employed in the area of surveillance, where the telescreen is the main piece of technological equipment used to spy on the populace. These telescreens are essentially surveillance cameras, which also double as speakers and televisions. The Party also uses an elaborate system of tubes that allow Party members to access documents in the archives. This system of tubes that Winston readily uses in the Ministry of Truth is synonymous to the modern day internet. There is also a memory hole, which sends documents to an incinerator in the building. In addition to telescreens and memory holes, the Party utilizes a sophisticated device known as the "dial," which adjusts the pain threshold on political prisoners hooked up to the machine. The dial also allows O'Brien to read Winston's mind when he is imprisoned in the Ministry of Love. Much of the Party's technology is focused on developing firearms, bombs, torture devices, and surveillance equipment to oppress the populace and foster a hysterical atmosphere throughout Oceania.

Perhaps the most striking use of technology by the Party throughout the book is that of telescreens. These serve a double purpose. The private ones in people's living areas resemble televisions but they are used primarily to keep an eye on people, they work two ways, both giving out and receiving information. Perhaps the most sinister aspect of these is that they cannot be witched off; this is nonstop surveillance of people's private lives. There are also large telescreens in public spaces designed chiefly to spread propaganda. The Party also uses hidden microphones to spy on people's conversations. As well as using technology for surveillance, the Party also uses it to control and change information; public records, documents, and most of all, historical records. These can be changed in an instant whenever the Party feels the need to do so. This is accomplished electronically. Another major use of technology is the use of sophisticated torture machines which help to manipulate people. To sum up, the Party uses technology both to control people and information.

I believe the Party uses technology mainly as a way to control its citizens.  It does this by using technology for surveillance and for propaganda.

The main image of technology in 1984 is, to me, the television screen.  These screens are two-way things that allow some one to watch everyone who has a screen all the time.  We also know that the Party can plant microphones in various places.  If you never knew when the Party was watching you or listening to you, I would think that would control you a lot.

The Party also uses the screens and movies for propaganda.  It uses them, for example, in the Two Minutes Hate.  This sort of use affects the way people think.  That helps the Party control them as well.

See eNotes Ad-Free

Start your 48-hour free trial to get access to more than 30,000 additional guides and more than 350,000 Homework Help questions answered by our experts.

Get 48 Hours Free Access

Already a member? Log in here.