1984
Symbol analisis of Big Brother
- Describe Big brother and how he appears throughout the novel (embed quote)
- explain what this symbol represents about totalitarian societies, also explain what impact it has on the citizens and how it services the obectives of the party.
- how are the readers positioned to think about this symbol and how it connects with the real life totalitarian regimes
- explain how this symbol proves George Orwell's views regarding totalitarian regimes and what they are all about
Big Brother Throughout London, Winston sees posters showing a man gazing down over the words “BIG BROTHER IS WATCHING YOU” everywhere he goes. Big Brother is the face of the Party. The citizens are told that he is the leader of the nation and the head of the Party, but Winston can never determine whether or not he actually exists. In any case, the face of Big Brother symbolizes the Party in its public manifestation; he is a reassurance to most people (the warmth of his name suggests his ability to protect), but he is also an open threat (one cannot escape his gaze). Big Brother also symbolizes the vagueness with which the higher ranks of the Party present themselves—it is impossible to know who really rules Oceania, what life is like for the rulers, or why they act as they do. Winston thinks he remembers that Big Brother emerged around 1960, but the Party’s official records date Big Brother’s existence back to 1930, before Winston was even born.
Asked by
Sophie S #561589
Last updated by
Aslan
