The Unspoken Danger that Hope Can Bring, Big Brother is watching. In George Orwell’s dystopian novel 1984, he warns readers of the dangers that a totalitarian government can bring. The novel evokes an unsettling, disturbing feeling in the people who engage with it due to the extreme surveillance posed onto society by members of their government known as the Party. The Party attempts to have absolute control over the citizens, using implements such as screens that are always observing, limiting their ability to communicate through the creation of a new language system, and having access to their inner thoughts. These devices, branded as Telescreens, Newspeak, and Thoughtcrime, give Inner Party members complete access to their subjects' lives, …show more content…
Charrington's transformation subtly hints at the deceptive nature of appearances, reinforcing the notion that hope placed in relationships can ultimately be futile: “Mr. Charrington came into the room. [...] It occurred to Winston that for the first time in his life he was looking, with knowledge, at a member of the thought police” (Orwell 224). Without saying a word, Winston is able to tell that something has changed and that he is now in danger. This skill is necessary in such an environment where the smallest action can give someone away, so for him to be able to process his surroundings quickly is notable. Through Winston's interactions with Mr. Charrington, Orwell highlights the danger of misplaced trust within a society governed by deceit. Ultimately, Orwell portrays the Party's manipulation of personal connections as a tool for control. Winston's belief in the possibility of authentic friendship within the oppressive society of Oceania is destroyed by O’Brien and Mr. Charrington's betrayals. Through these characters, Orwell stresses how false friendship damages Winston’s goals, revealing the dangers of placing hope in relationships in a society with a totalitarian government. Orwell also explores the theme of the prole's idleness as a reason for Winston’s hope being