1984 #16

“The future belonged to the proles” (pg. 220). The proles represent hope. They are the only chance of change as far as Winston can tell. The proles are the lower class, people who are not part of the Party. Orwell uses these figures, even though none of them are main characters, as a sign of the future: there will most likely be no change for a long time.

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.

1984 #14

“He had won the victory over himself. He loved Big Brother” (pg. 298). Big Brother is the face of the Party. Orwell never makes it clear whether or not he actually exists, but this concealment is how the government operates. Big Brother stands as the symbol for the communist government that rules Oceania. Winston’s struggles against the government, and consequently against Big Brother, lead to his capture an torture. Through torture he ultimately loves Big Brother; he loves the government. Orwell’s novel shows people the intensity of communistic ideals and how even the most sane people could falter.

1984 #13

“It was a common punishment in Imperial China” (pg. 286). O’Brien is about to let the rats eat Winston’s face. Orwell compares the punishments of old dictatorship countries to the government under Big Brother. The tortures that Winston goes through completely change his views. They continue to torture him until they are positive that he will love Big Brother. In Imperial China they used many different ways to torture people including: hot iron, rides on spiked saddles, punishments of the Rack, and many other instruments of torture. These punishments are seen throughout 1984, being feared of and very painful.

"Punishments in Traditional China." Web. 03 June 2010. .

1984 #12

“For the first time he perceived that if you want to keep a secret you must also hide it from yourself” (pg. 281). In a world of communism, where the government sees everything that happens, one has very little individualism. Winston’s thoughts and actions against the government must be concealed from the government if he wants to remain alive. The only way for him to do this is to try and keep his own secrets from himself--as the government sees everything. Orwell’s government at an extreme level of communism, a warning to The United States and the world about communism.

1984 #11

“There is a word in Newspeak, I don’t know whether you know it: duckspeak, to quack like a duck” (pg. 54). The government came up with its own language, with less words than English. The idea is to eliminate expressions and to control speech. Controlling speech would eventually allow the government to control thoughts and actions. With Newspeak there becomes even more control for the party and less and less individualism for the people. Orwell shows the intensity of a world enveloped in communism, and possible effects of government controlling language.

1984 #10

“Children will be taken from their mothers at birth, as one takes eggs from a hen” (pg. 267). Comparing people to animals and treating them similarly are the ultimate goals of the Party. O’Brien describes the future of the world, a future where communism is as great as it can be. The idea of the government taking away one’s newborn child is frightening. Through his novel, Orwell warns the world of the dangers of communism; the leaders have whatever they need while everyone else suffers.