Foreshadowing In 1984

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Throughout history, there have been many oppressive regimes all across the world. Whether it be the Mongol Empire of the 13th and 14th century, communist Russia led by Joseph Stalin, or even present day North Korea, totalitarian regimes have been prevalent throughout world history. These bleak realities are explored in the dystopian novel 1984. With a totalitarian government controlling every aspect of life, we are able to understand what it's like to live in such a place. George Orwell utilizes a third person narrator in order to convey how the protagonist, Winston, his spirit is slowly broken over time. At the beginning of the dystopian novel 1984, the third person narrator depicts how the protagonist is full of resolve yet still cautious. …show more content…

Winston says, “Whether he wrote DOWN WITH BIG BROTHER, or whether he refrained from writing it, made no difference.The Thought Police would get him just the same.” (Orwell, 19). This third person narrator serves many purposes. Firstly, this statement from the novel utilizes subtle foreshadowing in order to plant a seed in the mind of the audience. Orwell directly tells the audience that the Thought Police will get Winston. This use of foreshadowing helps to set up the events that unfold later in the story. Secondly, Orwell shows the reader that Winston has rebellious thoughts towards the Party. Orwell shows how Winston wants to rebel yet feels as though it's an uphill battle; how he views the Party as unbeatable. Orwell continues to add onto this idea in the second chapter of the book by adding another insight into the inner-consciousness of Winston. While looking at a government building, Winston thinks to himself, “It was too strong, it could not be stormed. A thousand rocket bombs would not batter it down.” (Orwell, 26). In using this quote, Orwell shows the audience yet again that Winson wants to rebel, yet feels