“Language is power… Language can be used as a means of changing reality.” -Adrienne Rich. In 1984, George Orwell persuades the main character, Winston Smith, by using the other characters to help convince him to agree to the beauty of destroying language. Orwell effectively persuades Winston by using rhetorical appeals and devices.
Orwell effectively expresses the use of rhetorical appeals, by using ethos early in the book. It is first advised when Winston claims that O’Brien told him seven years ago that,”We shall meet in the place where there is no darkness.” (Orwell 27). Later in the book, it reveals the explanation of the quotes meaning when he says, “O’Brien nodded without appearance of surprise. ‘In the place where there is no darkness,
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Orwell strongly represents the use of Fu as a rhetorical device. This device was used the most effectively to persuade Winston of the beauty of destroying language. Winston begins to be threatened harmfully by the Big Brother party. “Power is in fearing human minds to pieces and putting them together again in new shapes of your own choosing.”(Orwell 292). George Orwell is quoting that power is all that Winston needs, but power is not what he has to destroy Big Brother. Winston's determination does not fail to keep him from protesting against the party. O’Brien begins to show images of Winston body to him to push his limits. Winston continues to blame him for the way his body looks due to the beating and torturing. O’Brien then states to Winston, “This is what you accepted when you set yourself up against the party. Nothing has happened that you have no foresee.”(Orwell 299). Winston still finds himself in confusion on how he committed any crimes and still believes he did nothing wrong. This belief leads Winston to the room of darkness, Room 101. Winston was broken down piece by piece and lost all his dignity, even betraying the person he loves the most, Julia. After being released from Room 101, he learns that Big Brother can conquer love and anything else in the world. Winston then admits to loving Big Brother, meaning loving everything he stood for