1984 Winston's Grey Analysis

One colour that represents the novel “1984” is Payne’s grey which is a dark blue-grey colour that is usually used in painting. The colour grey in general represents a combination of white and black attributes. Black is usually associated with death, power, elegance, evil, and mystery while white represents purity, goodness, safety, and innocence. Thus, grey is the middle ground between the two contrasting definitions, representing sorrow and ignorance to the evil and power. Grey is usually used to describe ordinary people, with no astonishing features or attributes. Similarly, Winston was an ordinary outer party member, who had no control over the party and has no chance to overpower the party. All party members must believe in and love Big Brother without questioning the philosophy or changing their

The colour blue is associated with understanding, softness, and knowledge. Winston gains knowledge throughout the novel, but becomes softer over time. This softness that came from his love for Julia and his blind trust towards Obrien is what leads to his downfall. When Winston believed Obrien was a kindred spirit he felt connected to him and letting go of that connection further isolates himself, leading to his breakdown and allegiance to Big Brother. Originally, the colour was a mixture of blue, yellow and red, but painters now mix it blue and black or blue and dark red to obtain the colour. This can represent Winston’s beliefs and situation to his reality or fate within Book 3 of 1984. Throughout book 1 and 2, we see Winston’s development in character from improving health to rebelling against the party by loving Julia. Hence, the original combination of the colours: yellow (joy and caution), red (sexuality and love), and blue (healing and softness) represent Winston’s journey in becoming human or living. Book 3 illustrates the isolation Winston experiences in the cell and understanding the wrath of the