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1984 Symbolism In 1984

Decent Essays

George Orwell’s dystopian science fiction novel, Nineteen Eighty Four addresses the idea of a futuristic reality that has ultimately succumbed to control and surveillance. Orwell shows this by utilising a variety of stylistic conventions such as symbolism, foreshadowing, imagery and repetition. Throughout the novel, Orwell uses subtle events and symbols such as the glass paperweight and the face of Big Brother to enforce the idea of a setting without freedom of thought or control over one’s actions. Orwell’s use of symbols is also accompanied by repetition in the form of gripping slogans and symbols. Additionally, through the main protagonist Winston, the life of an individual in said dystopian society is explored. George Orwell through the use of symbols, imagery, foreshadowing and repetition explores the idea of a totalitarian society ruled by the terrifying identity known as Big Brother. The setting of Nineteen Eighty Four represents the idea of a totalitarian regime where the concept of freedom, personal identity and thought belong to one ruling party. Orwell explores these ideas extensively through the use of broad imagery with the initial pages describing a cruel and “gritty” setting that smells “of boiled cabbage”. Additionally Orwell ensures that his use of imagery is potent in the initial chapters of the novel as he purposely establishes a setting of control and surveillance. In Orwell’s fictional world characters lose their identity through torture and fear were

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