Sybolism in 1984 by George Orwell Essay - 824 Words

In 1984, Orwell makes excellent use of symbolism to further enhance the novels theme and to reveal character. He wrote 1984 as a political message to warn future generations about the dangers of totalitarian societies. He relays this message through various themes and characters, in turn utilizes powerful symbols to give them further significance. His symbolism is very vast but it can be classified into three categories: characters, places and objects. Orwell uses different historic figures to reveal characters in 1984. First, Orwells character Winston Smith a hero, symbolizing the British statesman, Winston Churchill. Smith was name of common man in England. Presenting him as a commoner portrays this character both as common soul,†¦show more content†¦One can visualize this point when Winston reads from the book: Eurasia comprises... Oceania comprises of the Americas...Eastasia...comprises China.... (p. 193). Second, the Golden Country represents the old European pastoral landscape - before Big Brother came to power. Its the place where Winston and Julia first meet, and its this place that Winston sees in his dreams. Winston foresees peaceful and truly free atmosphere. When he comes to this place he remembers the past, thats the freedom he enjoyed in those days. The reader would consider it as a beautiful landscape, but for Winston, a person who had lived free and now in a totalitarian society, its not just beautiful, but also free place. Third, Orwell uses OBriens apartment symbolize to as a place with freedom, like a heaven. When Julia and Winston, visit OBrien, to join the Brotherhood, to their surprise OBrien turns off the telescreen. Winston senses that the place has complete freedom. Then they were offered real wine. For Winston its a heaven, where he feels free to say anything as well gets real wine for first time in life. Fourth, Orwell uses Room 101, to symbolize a totalitarian s tate. Room 101 according to OBrien is the worst thing in the world: ...It may be burial alive or death by fire, ... (P.296) For each person it is his own personal hell. Room 101, located in the Ministry of Love, where thought and love are punished. The Skull-faced Man is one of Winstons