Symbolism Of Teeth In 1984

Teeth are essential and unique for human expression and life. They are used to show power, speak, sing, communicate, and to identify. Without teeth, humans are less human; they cannot express their identity as they once did. As teeth change, so do their owners. It is no wonder that many authors have had a fascination with teeth. In works of literature such as 1984, Beloved, and The Sympathizer, teeth are symbolic of one’s identity. Their physical characteristics and presence are indicative of a character’s state of self.

In 1984 by George Orwell, a the main character Winston is being reeducated by Big Brother to ditch his old ways of thinking and accept a new one. During this time Winston is being held prisoner and is physically deteriorating.

’Look at this filthy grime all over your body. Look at the dirt between your toes. Look at that disgusting running sore on your leg. Do you know that you stink like a goat? Probably you have ceased to notice it. Look at your emaciation. Do you see? I can make my thumb and forefinger meet round your bicep. I could snap your neck like a carrot. Do you know that you have lost twenty-five kilograms since you have been in our hands? Even your hair is coming out in handfuls. Look!’ He plucked at Winston’s head and brought away a tuft of hair. ’Open your mouth. Nine, ten, eleven teeth left. How many had you when you came to us? And the few you have left are dropping out of your head. Look here!’ He seized one of Winston’s remaining front teeth between his powerful thumb and forefinger. A twinge of pain shot through Winston’s jaw. O’Brien had wrenched the loose tooth out by the roots. He tossed it across the

As Sethe describes, teeth falling out signals the transition to adulthood, and the incursion of a new form of self, “To talk to, I mean, who'd know when it was time to chew up a little something and give it to em. Is that what make the teeth come on out, or should you wait till the teeth came and then solid food?..when I got here she was crawling already.” Babies lose their teeth as they grow. It is a natural process all must go through in order to change as a person. New teeth will come in, of course, but by then the baby is no longer identified as a baby, rather something grown and completely different than the way they once