The Inquisition

“In the Middle Ages there was the Inquisition.” (Page 329)

Inquisition is a term used to describe the institutions established by the Roman Catholic church centuries ago to combat or suppress heresy. Beginning in the twelfth century and even earlier, the Roman Catholics, who are known for their strict formalities, were very concerned with individuals who bore any controversial or novel religious beliefs and thus felt compelled to persecute them for their so called “heretics.” The Inquisition, it is said, was not used solely to “punish and correct” those with varying beliefs, but also to invoke “terror” in the public in order to “wean them away from the evils they would commit.” Orwell chose to include this reference because of its resemblance to Big Brother. Both institutions are described as being devoted to ridding the world of nonconformists. While the Inquisition sought to convict heretics, Big Brother seeks to convict thought criminals. This allusion alone leads the reader to believe that Orwell was essentially creating a modern day Inquisition.

"Inquisition." Inicio. Web. 11 May 2010. http://www.bibliotecapleyades.net/vatican/vatican_holyinquisition02.htm.