Hi there, Just wondering what the symbolic significance of the 'Clock' is in the Novel 1984? Cheers
1984 Forum
Join the discussion about 1984 by creating a new topic or replying to an existing topic. You may also view GradeSaver's College Discussion Forums or other Novel Discussion Forums.
Symbolic Significance
Al Clockes in Oceania are digital. The one in the upstairs room is analog. This quaint object is a link to the past, as are many other objects in that room.
The big significance of this clock is the fact that it does not show a.m. or p.m. After the huge volley of work during Hate Week, Winston and Julia meet in the upstairs room and fall asleep around 7:00 in the evening. When they awaken, the clock says around 9:00 and they think they have slept for only two hours, when in reality they have slept for 14 hours. Other signs point to this (stove is out of oil, coffee is cold, Prole woman is hanging out wash, Winston's baldder is full, the sun is on the other side of the courtyard, and rain has washed the pavement), but Winston does not connect these until the Thought Police raid the room. When it occurs to him that they have slept through the night and it is really morning, he decides that this fact is not interesting. He has been caught and it's all over for him.
The big significance of this clock is the fact that it does not show a.m. or p.m. After the huge volley of work during Hate Week, Winston and Julia meet in the upstairs room and fall asleep around 7:00 in the evening. When they awaken, the clock says around 9:00 and they think they have slept for only two hours, when in reality they have slept for 14 hours. Other signs point to this (stove is out of oil, coffee is cold, Prole woman is hanging out wash, Winston's baldder is full, the sun is on the other side of the courtyard, and rain has washed the pavement), but Winston does not connect these until the Thought Police raid the room. When it occurs to him that they have slept through the night and it is really morning, he decides that this fact is not interesting. He has been caught and it's all over for him.
any ideas for the power of language in 1984.. i just need one more point
Syme explains that the whole point of newspeak is to reduce the number of words. In so doing, BB effectively limits the range of thought. There are no more colorful adjectives or shades of meaning; everything is either good or ungood. So people cannot have differing shades of opinion or thought.
If there is no word for a concept, people cannot discuss it; people cannot even think it. Those concepts which we truly cannot discuss are actually feelings rather than thoughts. By limiting language, BB limits thoughts and eventually even feelings. BBE controls our thoughts and feelings by controlling our language. Scary.
If there is no word for a concept, people cannot discuss it; people cannot even think it. Those concepts which we truly cannot discuss are actually feelings rather than thoughts. By limiting language, BB limits thoughts and eventually even feelings. BBE controls our thoughts and feelings by controlling our language. Scary.
You must login to post to this topic.
Existing Users
New Users
Related Content for 1984
