1984 #6

“The war is simply a continuous calamity which sweeps to and fro over their bodies like a tidal wave” (pg. 215). Orwell repeats the phrase ‘to and fro’ many times throughout his novel. The back-and-forth theme is seen not only in these words, but in the actions of the government as well. Oceania is always at war, whether the enemy is Eastasia or Eurasia. The enemy does not stay the same; one moment it may be one country, the next it could be the other. This insecurity and continuous change is important to the novel for without it, Winston would not question the authority as often.