The Usage of Symbolism as a Mechanism for Social Control in 1984 and V for Vendetta Symbolic figureheads have, throughout history, been able to shape society by utilising their own image and what they represent. George Orwell’s 1984 and Alan Moore’s V for Vendetta both explore this idea in detail. Orwell paints a picture of a bleak dystopian future in 1984, wherein the government’s ruling party exercises totalitarian control and the populace is either brainwashed by the party, or shows indifference towards the state of the country. The government in Moore’s V for Vendetta is very similar to 1984’s, but the people are not as receptive to the party’s dominion over them. This is what allows the anarchist V to eventually topple the government.
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The all-seeing, omnipresent leader is described as being “a man of about forty-five, with a heavy black moustache and ruggedly handsome features” (Orwell 3). His face is on every poster and telescreen in Oceania, with the caption “BIG BROTHER IS WATCHING YOU” (3). Big Brother’s face is intentionally meant to look strong but caring in order to make the proletariat masses both respect and fear him. He is revered as an all-knowing perfect leader who never makes mistakes and cares for each citizen. Even the name Big Brother implies that he is both familial, yet wiser and more powerful than you are. Big Brother represents the aspects that the party wants the proletariats to perceive in the party. By appearing stern but trustworthy and all-powerful, the party uses Big Brother to represent themselves. After all, each individual party member may have flaws, but by having the public recognize them collectively as Big Brother who is designed to be the perfect leader, the party appears flawless. To Winston, it is unknown if Big Brother even exists. When Winston asks O’Brien whether Big Brother exists, O’Brien says that he does since Big Brother is the embodiment of the party, but when o’Brien is asked whether Big Brother will ever die, O’Brien responds, “Of course not” (272). The paradox of Big Brother existing but being unable to die is resolved by the fact that Big Brother is just an image perpetuated by the party.
The all-seeing, omnipresent leader is described as being “a man of about forty-five, with a heavy black moustache and ruggedly handsome features” (Orwell 3). His face is on every poster and telescreen in Oceania, with the caption “BIG BROTHER IS WATCHING YOU” (3). Big Brother’s face is intentionally meant to look strong but caring in order to make the proletariat masses both respect and fear him. He is revered as an all-knowing perfect leader who never makes mistakes and cares for each citizen. Even the name Big Brother implies that he is both familial, yet wiser and more powerful than you are. Big Brother represents the aspects that the party wants the proletariats to perceive in the party. By appearing stern but trustworthy and all-powerful, the party uses Big Brother to represent themselves. After all, each individual party member may have flaws, but by having the public recognize them collectively as Big Brother who is designed to be the perfect leader, the party appears flawless. To Winston, it is unknown if Big Brother even exists. When Winston asks O’Brien whether Big Brother exists, O’Brien says that he does since Big Brother is the embodiment of the party, but when o’Brien is asked whether Big Brother will ever die, O’Brien responds, “Of course not” (272). The paradox of Big Brother existing but being unable to die is resolved by the fact that Big Brother is just an image perpetuated by the party.