LITERATURE ANALYSIS #2

Literature Analysis #2: 1984 by George Orwell

1. The story begins with a 39 year old man named Winston Smith approaching his sluggish apartment. The narrator then starts describing the society that Winston lives in, where a powerful party controls its citizens through constant monitoring. Propaganda is huge and the party is referred to as “Big Brother”. The setting is in former England called Airstrip One. Winston lives in London, which is in very poor conditions. He works under the party to monitor its citizens but is disgusted by their control. The narrator mentions that Winston thinks that another worker for the party named O’brien may also be rebellious like him. As he writes in his diary, Winston fears that the Thought Police will arrest him. The parson’s children are known as Junior Spies who monitor potentially rebellious adults. Winston works for the Ministry of Truth division, who alters and destroys history to its complete control. As Winston encounters more propaganda and suppression, the narrator describes the proles. The Proles are the poorest people who make up 85% percent of the population. He believes that some day the proles can unite and rebel against the party, but is doubtful since they don’t even realize they are being controlled. They are frequently attacked by steamers or rockets. He starts to be watched by a black haired girl named Julia who he had interest in. Winston thinks that she is part of the thought police and is ready to capture him. Confused, Winston thinks of committing suicide, since he would be tortured to death if he got caught. Nevertheless, he decides not to and tries to act obedient to the party. However, it turns out that the girl loves Winston. They travel discreetly to the countryside to avoid being monitored, and have an affair. They continue to see each other afterwards. One day, Winston meets with O’brien and is excited that he might be able to realize the rebellion he has wished for. The narrator explains that the world is split into three nations: Eastasia, Oceania, and Eurasia all of whom are at war. Their societies are split into the inner party, outer party, and the proles. The climax is when Mr. Charrington, the owner of the apartments, finds that Julia and Winston are rebels. He is part of the thought police and arrests the two. Winston is brutally tortured and his logic becomes controlled by O’brien. When the torture was moved up to the next level, Winston finally confesses his betrayal for Julia. The thought police lets him go and Winston is seen as a completely propagandized citizen. He was brainwashed and believed every single bit of what the party said. Yet, he still had this undiminishable trace of his family’s memory in him.
2. The theme of 1984 is that people should questions their surroundings. This can include media, like the news or any type of advertising. People should not just agree to everything they hear, but rather question it and raise concern.
3. The author’s tone is depressing and frightening.
1. “Outside even through the shut window pane, the world looked cold. Down in the street little eddies of wind were whirling dust and torn paper into spirals, and though the sun was shining and the sky a harsh blue, there seemed to be no color in anything except the posters that were plastered everywhere.” (p.6)
2. “The hallway smelt of boiled cabbage and the old rag mats. At one end of it a colored poster, too large for indoor display, had been tackled to the wall. “ (p.5)
3. “It was at night that they came to you, always at night. The proper thing was to always kill yourself before the got to you.Undoubtedly many people did so. Many of the disappearances were actually suicides.” (p. 86)

1. “The hallway smelt of boiled cabbage and the old rag mats. At one end of it a colored poster, too large for indoor display, had been tackled to the wall. “ (p.5)  This description is ironic since the the building is named “Victory Mansion”. The name and actual interior are completely unmatched. This contributes to the dark theme of the novel.
2. “Or to bang his head against the wall, to kick over the table and hurl the inkpot over the window” (p. 55) - imagery
3. “Near at hand some kind of instrument was ticking slowly and regularly. The eyes grew larger and more luminous. Suddenly he floated out of his seat, dived into the eyes, and was swallowed up (p.200) - imagery
4. “There were the German Nazis and Russian Communists.” (p. 209) This is an allusion to the two parties.
5. “Winston’s greatest pleasure in life was in his work.” (p.39) This statement is very sarcastic since Winston did not like his work at all.

Characterization

1. Direct characterization
1. “Winston, who was thirty-nine, and had a varicose ulcer above his right ankle”
2. “Katherine was a tall, fair haired girl, very straight with splendid movements.”

Indirect characterization

1. “The urge to shout filthy words at the top of his voice was strong as ever.” Winston is seen as a rebellious character who does not like to be suppressed, but has control over himself.
2. “‘The proles are human beings’, he said aloud. ‘We are not human’” Winston shows analytical thinking that most of the other characters do not show.

The author uses both types of characterization to fully show the character’s feelings and composition. My lasting impression of Winston Smith is that he a physically a undernourished man who had strong rebellious and personal ideals.

2. In general, George Orwell did not change his diction when he focused on the character. He used plenty of imagery and casual syntax to convey the reality of Winston.
3. Winston Smith is a round character. He also dynamic in a negative way, since he becomes dehumanized at the end.
4. I feel like I met a real character due to the realness of Winston. “‘The proles are human beings’, he said aloud. ‘We are not human’” This quote again shows that Winston did everything he can to retain his humanness but was overpowered in the end by brutal torture.