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What Does The Telescreens Symbolize In 1984

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“[Symbolism] is about allowing [the author] to say something more effectively.” (Chapman). Symbolism is important in a novel in order to get a point across to the reader. In 1984 by George Orwell, many symbols are used as a creative way to portray the themes of the novel. Orwell uses the telescreens, the red armed prole woman, and the glass paperweight to symbolize freedom or lack thereof in Oceania. The telescreens are everywhere in Oceania and symbolize how the people have no freedom anywhere. The Party could always be watching any person at anytime through the telescreen. “It was terribly dangerous to let your thoughts wander when you were in any public place or within range of a telescreen. The smallest thing could give you away.” (Orwell, 65) The people of Oceania are being watched all the time so they cannot do anything without fear that the Party could arrest them for it. The telescreens also display propaganda that promotes Big Brother throughout the day. This takes away the citizens freedom to …show more content…

Winston immediately notices that the woman is singing a song made for the proles. Singing is something that Party members are not allowed to do, so Winston sees the woman as free. The woman is big and strong which gives Winston hope for freedom in the future. He hopes that the proles would all rise up and overthrow the Party. He thinks that the fact that she looks solid means she is capable of defeating the party, with help, when in reality the proles are not smart enough to get together and do something so drastic. Winston notices that the woman has children which also gives him hope for the future. She is hanging up children’s diapers which means that she is able to reproduce. Winston hopes that she will give birth to many strong children who will overthrow the Party. The prole woman is a strong woman who Winston sees as free and has the power to make the rest of Oceania

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