18. 1984

"But you could not have pure love or pure lust nowadays. No emotion was pure, because everything was mixed up with fear and hatred. Their embrace had been a battle, the climax a victory. It was a blow struck against the Party. It was a political act" (126).

This quote found in 1984, written by George Orwell, demonstrates how strong the hatred against the government is in this novel. Instead of trying to grow strong by still loving each other, all of the extra energy and emotions go toward the government. From Orwell's statement, people are so focused on revenge and standing up for their rights that they have clouded their hearts and souls. Their "emotions" are no longer "pure" because of their continuous strive to survive and make sure that they are treated somewhat fairly. Although, the extent of fighting for their own survival and level of cleanliness only lies in their minds therefore their emotions reflect what their minds think. The actions are never followed out from the thoughts, therefore all of the hidden emotions get thrown together. In the end, no emotion is ever really "pure" again.

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17. 1984

"Your worst enemy, he reflected, was your own nervous system. At any moment the tension inside you was liable to translate itself into some visible symptom" (63-64).

George Orwell, in the novel 1984, depicts an environment where thoughts or any facial features can easily be interpreted. Eyes are everywhere and no one ever really knows who is watching and at what time of day. Private thoughts are no longer private and any sign of some sort of thought process can lead a person to a life of pain. Orwell includes this idea of a one's nervous system being his own enemy to describe to the reader exactly what the characters must endure day in and day out throughout the novel.

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16. 1984

"Everything faded away into a shadow-world in which, finally, even the date of the year had become uncertain" (41).

George Orwell depicts an atmosphere in which everything is unclear and grey. People are walking around this planet doing what they are told and no longer question why they are put on the Earth in the first place. By writing that "everything faded away into a shadow" allows the reader to comprehend the concept that at one moment this is how something is, but then in ten minutes, the facts will change and nothing ever remains the same in this world. It all eventually gets altered, which creates the greyness and shadows. Orwell included this imagery in his novel to emphasize the point that when there are not any hardcore facts that last forever, people live in a world of "shadows" and there is nothing to grasp or hold onto.


Photo Credit:

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15. 1984

"'At the time when it happens,' she had said, 'you do mean it.' He had meant it...'Under the spreading chestnut tree I sold you and you sold me--'" (293).

The most expressed theme within 1984 by George Orwell is that when one is scared to the point of possibly no return, a person will do anything to survive. They will give up food, loyalty, and even love. They will stab their best friend in the back so that they can live at least one more minute. Orwell's experiences during the wars and communist leaders have influenced his way of thinking and how he lives his life. His main character, Winston has rats shoved into his face. Rats are the one creature he is deathly afraid of, especially when they are hungry. The only thing he can think of is to bargain, and he bargains his only friend's life for his own. The rulers break him and he knows it, but he gets to leave and for a moment he is happy. Orwell is trying to portray the real message that when it comes down to life or death, mankind will do and say anything to live for as long as they can.


"George Orwell." The Literature Network.com. 22 April 2010. 2010.
http://www.online-literature.com/orwell/

14. 1984

"There will be no curiosity, no enjoyment of the process of life...imagine a boot stamping on a human face--forever" (267).


This is the moment in the novel where Orwell creates the imagery to enforce his point. This main point is that in order to control people there must be some sort of fear tactic involved. Humans run along through their lives living on emotion and because of this they are easily controlled. They do not want to feel pain or be without a necessity such as food, clothing, and shelter, therefore they lie, cheat, and steal to ensure that they survive. O'Brien, one of Orwell's character's in 1984, clearly explains to Winston that having power over people means that you are fully aware of their weaknesses and you use it against them. The main idea in this passage is that if there is no fear provoked, there is no total control.


Image Source:

"From the Playground to the Office." Bobbie Alridge's Blog. 20 April 2010. 20 July 2009.
http://saldridge.wordpress.com/2009/07/20/from-the-playground-to-the-office-bullies-are-bullies/

13. 1984

"One question at any rate was unanswered...no heroes, no heroes...at his disabled left arm" (239).

The use of repetition helps to embed George Orwell's main idea that everyone is weak when it comes to physical pain. He repeats the words "no heroes, no heroes" and "over and over." Each word can be put into a negative context which in turn leads to a ominous tone for the reader to interpret. Winston is alone and all he has is his physical pain. He never thought he would break and bow down to the power, but when he is pain, he knows that he will bow down infinity times if they told him to. There are "no heroes" when it comes to pain.

12. 1984

"'Oranges and lemons, says the bells of St. Clement's...When I grow rich, say the bells of Shoreditch'" (178).

Each church mentioned in this rhyme was known for something, therefore that is where the "oranges and lemons" came from with St. Clement's. Orwell adds this rhyme numerous times to add religion into his novel. Religion is questioned within his pages because of the fact that things are very deceitful and everyone is just so empty that Orwell's character, Winston, questions what is real and what is fake. He starts to lose sight as to what is important and this song throws the idea of a higher power back into the novel. Through this idea, it contrasts the difference between the thought of no god and the thought of people trying to believe in something that seems so hopeless.