Paradox of Doublethink in Orwellian Satire in NoViolet Bulawayo’s Glory

Abstract

This research study aims to explore the anatomy of distorted language and its utilization responsible for the subjectification of citizens of Jidada. The objective of this research is to investigate the paradox of doublethink as a language technique employed in Bulawayo’s text Glory. Critical Discourse analysis is used as a theoretical framework to examine language distortion in political discourse to control the subjects of Jidada. In this qualitative research George Orwell's “Politics and the English Language” is used as the basis for understanding the usage of doublethink. The result proclaimed that the political elite of Jidada controlled their subjects by abusing and distorting the language. The political leaders of Jidada maximize the use of euphemism, gobbledygook, and inflated style in their political speeches, narratives, and slogans. In conclusion, language abuse is used as a tool to create subjects, maintain the status quo and to silence the subjects of Jidada who show any act of defiance and resistance. Doublethink is used to control the thought process of citizens of Jidada and to curb them from committing any act of thoughtcrime.