When reading 1984 by George Orwell, the first thing that becomes apparent is the near-omnipresent use of symbolism. By using symbolism throughout the novel, George Orwell paints a bleak future that could very well become a reality. From a totalitarian corrupt government to brainwashed citizens and surveillance that blankets the world, the dystopian future depicted in 1984 could easily become our future if we are not careful, and George Orwell wants to make sure that it doesn’t. By placing symbols throughout the book that warn of the perils of a dystopian future, Orwell did all he could to warn us of an unfortunate, yet possible reality.
In the book, the citizens of Oceania, if you could call them that, worship a deity known as Big Brother. …show more content…
During the takeover, some products were withheld from the general public, and were only given out as “Victory products.” Some items were simply renamed “Victory houses” or the product starts with the word “Victory”. Whether the Victory label is a brand or simply a Party name for products, the intentions of said products are based off of government control. The Party is keen to advertise the use of Victory products when a military victory is made, and even non-Victory products, such as announcing an increase in chocolate rations in one instance, when a military victory is secured. They do this in an attempt to make it seem like they are gaining victories in battle all over the world, and by giving out rewards such as increases in rations, they keep up the spirits of the population. Another aspect of the Victory products is their apparent inferiority to other products in Oceania. The Victory gin, cheap and synthetic, is described by Winston as giving off a “sickly, oily smell, as of Chinese rice-spirit” (5). He also describes it as being “like nitric acid, and moreover, in swallowing it one had the sensation of being hit on the back of the head with a rubber club” (5). The purpose of the Victory gin is to ease the tasks that people do in their jobs. In the cantina, where Winston gets lunch during his work, they give out Victory gin like water. Winston gives us a clue as to why, when on page 5, he says after drinking some, “the next moment, however, the burning in his belly died down and the world began to look more cheerful” (5). The Party is very smart in giving out this Victory gin because it basically drugs the population to make them happier, like Winston
In the book, the citizens of Oceania, if you could call them that, worship a deity known as Big Brother. …show more content…
During the takeover, some products were withheld from the general public, and were only given out as “Victory products.” Some items were simply renamed “Victory houses” or the product starts with the word “Victory”. Whether the Victory label is a brand or simply a Party name for products, the intentions of said products are based off of government control. The Party is keen to advertise the use of Victory products when a military victory is made, and even non-Victory products, such as announcing an increase in chocolate rations in one instance, when a military victory is secured. They do this in an attempt to make it seem like they are gaining victories in battle all over the world, and by giving out rewards such as increases in rations, they keep up the spirits of the population. Another aspect of the Victory products is their apparent inferiority to other products in Oceania. The Victory gin, cheap and synthetic, is described by Winston as giving off a “sickly, oily smell, as of Chinese rice-spirit” (5). He also describes it as being “like nitric acid, and moreover, in swallowing it one had the sensation of being hit on the back of the head with a rubber club” (5). The purpose of the Victory gin is to ease the tasks that people do in their jobs. In the cantina, where Winston gets lunch during his work, they give out Victory gin like water. Winston gives us a clue as to why, when on page 5, he says after drinking some, “the next moment, however, the burning in his belly died down and the world began to look more cheerful” (5). The Party is very smart in giving out this Victory gin because it basically drugs the population to make them happier, like Winston