1984 #15

“Winston kept his back turned to the telescreen. It was safer; though, as he well knew, even a back can be revealing” (pg. 3). The telescreens are vital to the Party. They serve as advertisements and are constantly watching everyone. Orwell’s idea of telescreens watching over people is intriguing, not only because of the thought of people always being watched, but also because televisions were not yet advanced. The Party is capable of controlling everyone with two main things: militia and the telescreens. These two things are threats to everyone, and they then fear the Party. The Party relies on this fear to maintain control. Someone concerned only about himself is not apt to speak out when someone else is in danger. The Party builds all of this fear in order to prevent groups of people fighting together. Therefore, by using the telescreens, the Party guarantees its survival.