Oxymoron In 1984

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The opening sentence suggests an unsettling mood. “It was a bright cold day in April, and the clocks were striking thirteen” (1). Because George Orwell used a oxymoron to describe the weather, it implies something is unusual about the setting. The exact time this novel begins also indicates the situation was unlucky, as the number thirteen has a hapless connotation. After reading the rest of the opening paragraphs, the reader can notice the poor living situation Winston Smith lives in. “The hallway smelt of boiled cabbage and old rag mats” (1). Due to the fact food was mentioned, it hints other humans inhabited the area, but it was not an ideal dwelling. The negative diction regarding the environment persuades the reader to dislike…show more content…
This character did not have the best health; he had a varicose ulcer and often had coughing problems. From Winston Smith’s name, it can suggest his honest beginnings. “He tried to squeeze out some childhood memory that should tell him whether London had always been quite like this” (3). Winston grew up in London before Big Brother’s reign, which relates to his first name’s meaning, “from a friendly country”. Additionally, George Orwell gave this main character Smith as a last name because it makes the reader have an easier time empathizing with him. Many people in society today have Smith as a last name, and it makes the 1984 world more real to the reader, which suggests the Winston does not belong in Big Brother’s environment. Winston Smith and Winston Churchill share the same first name, which foreshadows to the main character’s strength and resistance to Big Brother. Winston Churchill apposed Hitler, so it persuades for the reader to like…show more content…
His name implies someone watching over another in a powerful and sovereign way. “Big Brother is Watching You” (2). Clearly, the government utilized this phrase to show dominance. Additionally, this threat was spread around Oceania, as a reminder of his power. His face is often seen in Winston’s society, acting as a reminder to be weary of the citizen’s actions. Big Brother influences society as he is featured on the Two Minutes Hate and telescreens. “Partly it was a sort of hymn to the wisdom and majesty of Big Brother, but still more it was an act of self-hypnosis, a deliberate drowning of consciousness by means of rhythmic noise” (16). The Two Minutes Hate created Big Brother into a glorified figure, which the citizens worshipped. His role in the Party to lead society, and influence them to become brainwashed individuals who are unable to think for themselves. This society is divided between the Inner Party, Outer Party, and the proles. The Inner Party is the minority of the citizens, and have high positions within the government. The Outer Party is similar to the middle class, and work for the Inner Party. The proles contain most of the people (85%), but are not considered equal by the Inner Party. They are not payed attention to, and are not supposed to interact with the other classes. This suggests that George orwell did not want seperation in society, and thought that the lower class should be treated
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