The Use Of Imagery In 1984 By George Orwell

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The narrator of a story often plays a crucial role in literature; it is important to note their ability to alter the truth with memory, or emotion. In the novel 1984 by George Orwell, the story of Winston is revealed by a third- person limited narrator. Imagery is superlative within the narrative, particularly on the physical contrast between Winston and the Big Brother, the urban destructions, and the torture at the ministry of love. The narrator selectively reveals Winston’s tone of voice as hesitant; whether it is upon meeting new people, going into a store, or talking about the future. The narrator repetitively mentions the slogans, ministries, and the Big Brother. These stylistic choices in the narrative voice are created by Orwell to …show more content…

In the beginning of the book, the narrator establishes a physical contrast between Winston and the Big Brother. Winston is described to have “a varicose ulcer... [and to be walking] slowly, resting several times” (Orwell, 3), while the Big Brother is described as having “ruggedly handsome features” (Orwell, 3). The narrator successfully depicts an image of Winston as someone who is weak and frail, while the Big Brother is described as appealing and strong. With this distinction that WInston is less appealing and feeble compared to the mascot, Orwell emphasizes that indoctrination cannot be broken as long as the party remains its strength. The narrator again uses visual imagery to describe the destroyed city. Winston’s hometown, London, is described to have houses with “their windows patched with cardboard and their roofs with corrugated iron” (Orwell, 5). By allowing the narrator to vividly describe the …show more content…

Throughout the text, the official slogan of the party, WAR IS PEACE FREEDOM IS SLAVERY IGNORANCE IS STRENGTH, is often repeated. The party wants "a nation…….. all thinking the same thoughts and shouting the same slogans….. three hundred million people all with the same face." (Orwell, 77) With the repetition of the slogans, Orwell shows just how often the people of Oceania are indoctrinated in a day. He emphasizes the forceful indoctrination Winston cannot escape from. Similarly, the narrator constantly refers to the poster of Big Brother Winston encounters every day. He explains that “the dark eyes looked deep into Winston 's own” (Orwell, 2). The repetitive mention of the posters is Orwell’s indication of the forced indoctrination Winston faces; Orwell is showing the readers that it is impossible to escape from the party’s propaganda materials. The narrator also repetitively brings up the four ministries within Oceana. The Ministries “dwarf the surrounding architecture” (Orwell, 6), and is a prevalent method used by the party in order to keep their power. By using the narrator to constantly mention these existing ministries, Orwell notifies the readers about the various methods Winston gets indoctrinated- the truth is altered, love is now violent, and more . The narrator’s repetitive nature reflects Orwell’s emphasis on the indoctrination of Winston. Winston is constantly being indoctrinated by

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