The opening to George Orwell’s 1984 novel,”…the clocks were striking thirteen” subtly portrays to the reader that the book is set in a time and region different than usual, a dystopian setting. The author’s use of military time is key as it alludes to the theme of war, which begins to present itself by the fourth paragraph, “It was the police patrol, snooping into people’s windows. The patrols did not matter, however. Only the Thought Police mattered.” (p.4) The reader realizes that in this world, civilians are being watched and by the sound of the tone the author has been using so far, it’s not voluntary. Judging only by the intro, anyone is able to conclude that the novel is set in a militant and perhaps even authoritarian
