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How Does George Orwell Use The Image Of Big Brother In 1984

901 Words4 Pages

In 1984, Winston, the main character, is a low-ranking member of the “party” which rules over London. Everywhere that Winston goes, even in the most private areas, such as his home, he is being watched by telescreens. The party uses propaganda such as a figure known as ‘Big Brother’ to showcase a leader, and bring regulation to the citizens. The image of Big Brother is everywhere in this society and is constantly stated to be watching Winston. The party also uses a group of people called “thought police” in order to scare citizens from thinking too much about anything. Winston, after physically showing his hatred for the government, is now stuck in this rebellious mindset to no longer subside to the government's policies. George Orwell uses …show more content…

This is demonstrated through many events throughout the story. Consistently, Winston is faced with the physiological strain of being watched by the government. In the beginning of the story, knowing this, he wrote “Down with big brother” in his journal (Orwell 18). From this moment after, he continues to have a lingering idea of the ‘thought police’ coming after him. He has convinced himself that there is nothing he can do about it, and they will soon come to get him. Because of this, Winston then starts to perform rebellious acts, such as having an illegal love relationship, renting a home with Julia, and getting secretly indoctrinated with the anti-party brotherhood. Towards the beginning of the book, Winston also commits acts of rebellion by writing in his journal about his thoughts, and things he remembers (Orwell 8). This constructs evidence of him that exists outside of himself. According to Winston, the party can erase the existence of anyone that they please when they do not follow regulations or think too much. When Winston writes in his journal this creates further evidence of him, as well as allowing his thoughts to wander and become deeper, which is highly discouraged by the party. Winston continues to do this regardless as an act of defiance against the party, and longing to live a free and happy life for …show more content…

Consistently throughout the book, Winston is always reminding himself that the world can change, and it will not always be this depressing way forever. He always imagines a world where he can freely do what he wants openly with Julia, like hold hands in public. He is always trying to rebel against the government in his own way, by not loyally following the party. This longing for a better society allows room for hatred against the party to generate. Winston, after getting his journal, writes “Down with big brother” multiple times, until it fills half of the page (Orwell 18). This action of Winston is a physical representation of his hatred towards the government, as well as his praying on their downfall. This only increases Winston’s motivation to rebel against the government as his disgust and hatred now fuels the actions. Julia and Winston's relationship also plays a part in his motivation against the government. Julia is a very rebellious woman, she is very sneaky, and knows her way around the telescreens. This trait of Julia’s encourages Winston to be the same. Unfortunately this inevitably unfolds in the end, when he becomes his own thought police. Since the beginning of the book, Winston has believed that no matter what he did he would get “vaporized” by the thought police. This was his motivation for continuing to rebel against the party and their strict

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