"Something in the gesture told him that his sister was dying. He turned and fled down the stairs, with the chocolate growing sticky in his hand." (page 163).
Winston tortured his mother and sister by demanding he get a larger portion of food than either of them. During his childhood there was political turmoil that caused their to be small rations given out to families. Winston's recalls his stomach continuously aching with pain. Winston's greed for a more comfortable stomach emphasizes his need for comforts later in his life. He goes above and beyond to disobey the party and live a better life with Julia. Winston will do whatever he can to survive.
Friday, April 3, 2009
lacquered snuff boxes
"On the corner of the small table there was a litter of odds and ends- lacquered snuff boxes. (page 95).
In this passage Winston is browsing the antique shop, of which he eventually rent a room above. Most of the antiques are of little value, such as the lacquered snuff boxes. Snuff boxes are known to be decorated elaborately, but the ones in this antique shop is only lacquered. The owner of the shop claims that not many people are interested in buying antiques recently and he is running out of products anyways. This marks a turning point where the old world is truly on the verge of being forgotten.
In this passage Winston is browsing the antique shop, of which he eventually rent a room above. Most of the antiques are of little value, such as the lacquered snuff boxes. Snuff boxes are known to be decorated elaborately, but the ones in this antique shop is only lacquered. The owner of the shop claims that not many people are interested in buying antiques recently and he is running out of products anyways. This marks a turning point where the old world is truly on the verge of being forgotten.
Cream Laid
Cream laid, it used to be called. There's been no paper like that made for- oh, I dare say fifty years" (Page 94).
Cream laid paper is refined paper with watermarks of fine lines running across its grain. This is expensive paper, that the Party no longer cares to have produced. Fine objects are presently of no importance, because the Party is ridding Oceana of personality and beauty. Winston purchase his journal of cream laid paper at a poroles antique shop. The fact that this journal was elegant symbolizes that Winston has a personality that differs from the majority of the party.
~"Laid paper - definition from dictionary.die.net." Online Dictionary: definitions by WordNet, Webster's, etc. - dictionary.die.net. 03 Apr. 2009.
Cream laid paper is refined paper with watermarks of fine lines running across its grain. This is expensive paper, that the Party no longer cares to have produced. Fine objects are presently of no importance, because the Party is ridding Oceana of personality and beauty. Winston purchase his journal of cream laid paper at a poroles antique shop. The fact that this journal was elegant symbolizes that Winston has a personality that differs from the majority of the party.
~"Laid paper - definition from dictionary.die.net." Online Dictionary: definitions by WordNet, Webster's, etc. - dictionary.die.net. 03 Apr. 2009
Shakespeare on the Lips
“That too was a gesture belonging to the ancient time. Winston woke up with the word ‘Shakespeare’ on his lips.” (Page 31).
Shakespeare is no longer read during the time 1984 takes place, but early in Winston's life Shakespeare was better known. The Party controls what people can read, so that their is no contradiction between the old world and the present. Many of Shakespeare's plays have a theme of rebellion, which is Orwell's reason for choosing Shakespeare to be on Winston's lips.
Shakespeare is no longer read during the time 1984 takes place, but early in Winston's life Shakespeare was better known. The Party controls what people can read, so that their is no contradiction between the old world and the present. Many of Shakespeare's plays have a theme of rebellion, which is Orwell's reason for choosing Shakespeare to be on Winston's lips.
Big Brother
"the face of a man of about forty-five, with a heavy black mustache and ruggedly handsome features. " (Page 1).
Religion does not exist in Oceana, but is in a sense replaced with the worship of Big Brother. Big Brother is certainly celestial because he is ever present, though unseen. Winston recalls that Big Brother's image has not changed for as long as he can remember, signifying that he is not tangible. Orwell's description of Big Brother resembles Hitler for the purpose of introducing the reader to he is exterminating his people through a dictatorship. Big Brother does not send his people to concentration camps, but slowly drains their life away by controlling their thought.
Religion does not exist in Oceana, but is in a sense replaced with the worship of Big Brother. Big Brother is certainly celestial because he is ever present, though unseen. Winston recalls that Big Brother's image has not changed for as long as he can remember, signifying that he is not tangible. Orwell's description of Big Brother resembles Hitler for the purpose of introducing the reader to he is exterminating his people through a dictatorship. Big Brother does not send his people to concentration camps, but slowly drains their life away by controlling their thought.
Jewish women
"the Jewish women he had seen on the news films, trying to shelter the small boy from the bullets" (Page 160).
This passage proves that the people in Oceana still hold onto old memories. Most people do not pay attention to the fact that these memories contradict the history provided by the Party. Winston knows that this women in his dreams is Jewish although he has no idea what that means, because religion has been eliminate and replaced with the Party.
This passage proves that the people in Oceana still hold onto old memories. Most people do not pay attention to the fact that these memories contradict the history provided by the Party. Winston knows that this women in his dreams is Jewish although he has no idea what that means, because religion has been eliminate and replaced with the Party.
Strength of Ignorance
"the great mass of human beings who are normally stupefied by poverty would become literate and would learn to think for themselves; and when once they had done this, they would sooner or later realise that the privileged minority had no function, and they would sweep it away." (Page 190).
This passage comes from Goldstien's book with in 1984. Orwell includes this in order to give the reader a sense of the language used in Oceana. It also gives the reader another view of Oceana's history that Winston cannot give himself. Winston carries the hope that the Poroles will someday be enlightened and rebel against the Inner Party. Without knowledge the paroles will have no reason to rise and the Inner Party is efficiently washing intelligence from all the minds of Oceana's people. Poverty and ignorance is the only foundation for a dystopian society.
This passage comes from Goldstien's book with in 1984. Orwell includes this in order to give the reader a sense of the language used in Oceana. It also gives the reader another view of Oceana's history that Winston cannot give himself. Winston carries the hope that the Poroles will someday be enlightened and rebel against the Inner Party. Without knowledge the paroles will have no reason to rise and the Inner Party is efficiently washing intelligence from all the minds of Oceana's people. Poverty and ignorance is the only foundation for a dystopian society.
Love
"O'Brien was a person who could be talked to. Perhaps one did not want to be loved so much as to be understood." (Page 252).
This excerpt is taken from the scene where O'Brien is torturing Winston. Winston concludes from this torture that the brainwashing aspects of his society are beneficial to everyone. He does not believe this prior to physical torture, but mind is proven to be insignificant when physical pain is applied. At first Winston believes that he loves O'Brien, but then realizes that he feels this way because he understands O'Brien. The man causing him excruciating pain is easy for Winston to converse with. This statement returns to Winston's love affair with Julia. Julia and Winston were attracted to each other because they comprehended each other. The couple may not have been in love, but rather seeked each other for the right to be understood.
This excerpt is taken from the scene where O'Brien is torturing Winston. Winston concludes from this torture that the brainwashing aspects of his society are beneficial to everyone. He does not believe this prior to physical torture, but mind is proven to be insignificant when physical pain is applied. At first Winston believes that he loves O'Brien, but then realizes that he feels this way because he understands O'Brien. The man causing him excruciating pain is easy for Winston to converse with. This statement returns to Winston's love affair with Julia. Julia and Winston were attracted to each other because they comprehended each other. The couple may not have been in love, but rather seeked each other for the right to be understood.
Thursday, April 2, 2009
Green Shaded Lamp
"At the far end of the room O'Brien was sitting at a table under a green-shaded lamp." (Page 167)
O'Brien's room is said to be softly lit by this green-shaded lamp, which gives the upper Party a tone of silent power. A green shaded lamp is typically found on a bankers desk, which makes O'Brien's desk parallel to a Banker's power. Orwell uses this lamp as imagery to give O'Brien's room a influential that contrast that of the lower Party.
~"Micromark Bankers Desk Lamp MM6570." Www.value-electrical.co.uk. 03 Apr. 2009
Stability of Love and Humanity
"They can't get inside you. If you can feel that staying human is worthwhile, even when it can't have any result whatever, you've beaten them." (Page 166).
This passage is taken from a discussion between Winston and Julia. They come to the conclusion that their love for one another cannot be taken away by the Inner Party. Orwell has this conversation occur to ironically foreshadow that the Inner Party does in fact get inside of them. After they both have been physically tortured, they do not care for one another and lose touch with being human.
This passage is taken from a discussion between Winston and Julia. They come to the conclusion that their love for one another cannot be taken away by the Inner Party. Orwell has this conversation occur to ironically foreshadow that the Inner Party does in fact get inside of them. After they both have been physically tortured, they do not care for one another and lose touch with being human.
Scent
"No women of the party ever used scent, or could be imagined as doing so. Only the proles used scent." (Page 65).
Orwel often uses the sense of smell as imagery in 1984. Scent is often mentioned when Winston is remembering an event in his past. For example, previously to this quote, Winston recalls a basement kitchen by its stuffy odor. The sense of smell has been scientifically proven to aid memory. Memories are embeded in the brain more vividly if a scent is stored along with it. Scent symbolizes memory in this quote because the proles, who are allowed to use perfume are more apt to recall the past. The Party members do not use scent and their memories are slowly being erased of the past. The Party has not eliminated the parties ability to smell, which means that they do not have complete control over the people.
~"'Study Uncovers Memory Aid: A Scent During Sleep' by Benedict Carey - RichardDawkins.net." RichardDawkins.net - The Official Richard Dawkins Website. 02 Apr. 2009.
Orwel often uses the sense of smell as imagery in 1984. Scent is often mentioned when Winston is remembering an event in his past. For example, previously to this quote, Winston recalls a basement kitchen by its stuffy odor. The sense of smell has been scientifically proven to aid memory. Memories are embeded in the brain more vividly if a scent is stored along with it. Scent symbolizes memory in this quote because the proles, who are allowed to use perfume are more apt to recall the past. The Party members do not use scent and their memories are slowly being erased of the past. The Party has not eliminated the parties ability to smell, which means that they do not have complete control over the people.
~"'Study Uncovers Memory Aid: A Scent During Sleep' by Benedict Carey - RichardDawkins.net." RichardDawkins.net - The Official Richard Dawkins Website. 02 Apr. 2009
Validity of The Past
"once the act of forgery was forgotten, he would exist just as authentically, and upon the same evidence, as Charlemagne.
Charlemagne born in 742 and became the King of Franks. He is highly regarded and it is believed that he created an empire that inspired western Europe to unite for the first time since the Roman empire. It is believed that his secretary Einard described him as “six feet four inches tall, and built to scale. He had beautiful white hair, animated eyes, a powerful nose...a presence ‘always stately and dignified.’ He was temperate in eating and drinking, abominated drunkenness, and kept in good health despite every exposure and hardship.”. Winston compares Charlemagne to Comrade Ogilvy because they both have been built to be something they are not, over the course of time. Orwell believes that history is determined by people in the present. He warns his readers to be skeptics and protect themselves from ideas such as communism, that will greatly falsify the past.
~"Charlemagne | King of the Franks | Emperor of the Holy Roman Empire." Lucidcafé Interactive Café and Information Resource. 02 Apr. 2009
Saint Sebastian
"He would tie her naked to a stake and shoot her full of arrows like Saint Sebastian. He would ravish her and cut her throat at the moment of climax” (15).
Saint Sebastian is believed to have been a Roman soldier in 283 AD, who later became a Christian. When the Emperor learned of his belief in Jesus he was ordered to be tied to a stake and murdered. His unfaltering faith allowed him to live despite the many arrows shot at him. The scarlet sashed girl's faith in chastity is as strong as Saint Sebastian's faith in Jesus. The extreme totalitarianism in 1984, goes as far as controlling human nature. Winston hates the dark-haired girl because he has not lost these natural urges, while the girl's human nature has been transformed by the party. Orwell chose to use a reference to a Christian saint to show that Winston is rebelliously remembering the past, while the party wants to erase it from his memory.
~Saint Sebastain Life | St. Sebastian Biography. 02 Apr. 2009
Glass Paperweight
"It had all occurred inside the glass paperweight, but the surface of the glass was the dome of the sky, and inside the dome everything was flooded with clear soft light in which one could see into the interminable distances" (Page 160).
The paper weight found in Julia and Winston's room is symbolic for the past. This beautiful antique is no longer used by the Party; it is an object of the past. Winston sees his memories through this glass, and is given a sense of freedom from it. This paper weight also represents the present mood of Julia and Winston's secret room and relationship. His place is a retreat where the couple are able to express their feelings clearly with one another. When the party discovers their plot and room, they cast this paper weight aside, smashing it to pieces. This symbolizes the Parties deconstruction of beauty in the past and of Winston and Julia's present love affair.
The paper weight found in Julia and Winston's room is symbolic for the past. This beautiful antique is no longer used by the Party; it is an object of the past. Winston sees his memories through this glass, and is given a sense of freedom from it. This paper weight also represents the present mood of Julia and Winston's secret room and relationship. His place is a retreat where the couple are able to express their feelings clearly with one another. When the party discovers their plot and room, they cast this paper weight aside, smashing it to pieces. This symbolizes the Parties deconstruction of beauty in the past and of Winston and Julia's present love affair.
Varicose Ulcer
"The flat was seven stories up, and Winston, who was thirty-nine, and had a varicose ulcer above his right ankle, went slowly." (Page 1)
A varicose ulcer is caused from enlarged varicose veins near the surface of the skin that do not let blood flow freely through them. They can be treated by the application of pressure. Orwell uses this illness to symbolize the sickness in Oceana. Blood symbolizes human nature, which is being continuously blocked from the people of Oceana inflicting pain and inconvenience. At the end of 1984 Winston is controlled by physical torture and making him realize that physical pain governs the mind. His varicose ulcer is not only used as symbolism but as imagery as well. The pulsing nature of the varicose ulcer gives the reader a clear image of the overwhelming power of Big Brother and the Inner Party.
~"Varicose Ulcer Treatment Surgery Door - Surgical Operations." Surgery Door - The UK's Leading Online Health Service. 02 Apr. 2009
Pig Iron
"Inside the flat a fruity voice was reading out a list of figures which had something to do with the production of pig iron. " (Page 2)
Pig iron is a metal processed from carbon, manganese, sulfur, phosphorus, silicon and mostly iron. This metal is created in blast furnaces and is hard, but brittle when cooled. During its production the melted pig iron resembles pig feeder trows, so it was named after pigs. This brittle metal is cheap because it is easy to produce large quantities of it. Orwell mentions pig iron in his imagery of Winston's apartments and mentions it throughout the novel. This is to show the reader that Oceana is built to appear strong, but is actually brittle.
~"Pig Iron's Name." NEWTON/ANL Home Page. 02 Apr. 2009
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