Transcript 1984: LITERARTY DEVICES - ENG4U

“It was terribly dangerous to let your thoughts wander
when you were in any public place or within range of a
telescreen. The smallest thing could give you away. A
nervous tic, an unconscious look of anxiety, a habit of
muttering to yourself – anything that carried with it the
suggestion of abnormality, of having something to hide.
In any case, to wear an improper expression on your
face (to look incredulous when a victory was
announced, for example) was itself a punishable
offense. There was even a word for it in Newspeak:
facecrime, it was called.”
(Orwell 52)
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Speaker: Winston Smith
Setting: Winston`s apartment
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The symbol of the telescreen plays a major part in
1984. Telescreen symbolizes the dangers of
totalitarianism because the government (such as
the thought police and the party member) controls
all aspects of an individual life, permitting no
individual freedom. Telescreen are constantly used
to monitor and observe the citizens. Also it
symbolizes how the totalitarian government misuses
technology because instead it can improve
citizens knowledge in Oceania.
“..he had never heard a member of the
Party singing alone and spontaneously. It
would even have seemed slightly
unorthodox, a dangerous eccentricity, like
talking to oneself.”
(Orwell 116)
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Speaker: Winston Smith
Setting: Mr.Charrington`s apartment
For Winston the red-armed prole woman symbolizes
freedom and hope for the future generation. When
Winston hears her voice Winston feels confidence
and calmness because the proles make up 85% of
the population of Oceania which means that they
can rebel against the party if they wanted to. Party
members never sing so this gives Winston and Julia
with hope for the future. Also they see the women as
“beautiful” because of her toughness and largeness
showing her ability to give birth to the future
generation that can rebel to overtake the party.

“We shall meet in a place where there is
no darkness.” said O'Brien (Orwell 23)
This quote reveals the protagonist's inner secretive thoughts.
When Winston first mentioned this in the plot “a place where
there is no darkness” This was thought to be of a place where he
would meet his savior, O’ Brien. At that time he thought this
place was going to be a paradise somewhere outside of
London where hunger and war would be demolished. Little did
he know; his place of darkness wasn’t what he expected at all.
Instead of representing a peaceful and quiet place, it
represented betrayal hopelessness, and even lifelessness.
 his dream was crushed and ironic enough he ended up in a
place where there was constantly bright while being monitored
every second. Orwell writing the quote showed the readers that
sometimes there are two stories in a society. O’Brien was
considered, a friend, and an ally. However the hope and trust
Winston gained throughout the novel was all lost. He had a
friend, but in reality was an enemy. The author also creates
foreshadowing throughout the novel using this quote. This quote
foreshadowed his death, which was going to the ministry of love.
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“doublethink means the power of
holding two contradictory beliefs in one's
mind simultaneously, and accepting
both of them.” (Orwell 169)
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Doublethink is a term made up by the Party saying
that it’s possible for people to have 2 contradicting
ideas in ones’ mind at the same time. You then forget
about the idea, and when it’s needed again, you dig
deep and remember it clearly again. In 1984 the
purpose of doublethink is for the party to control
thoughts directly. The party can alter the past, and
everybody would believe it.
For example Winston works for the ministry of Truth,
deleting facts from the records, and believes in the
new history which he wrote himself.
Doublethink allows the party to be in control, and
maintain huge goals for themselves. This also shows
how the party can take control of people's minds
and overpower the citizens at all times
“The ministry of truth, which concerned itself
with the news, entertainment, education, and
the fine arts. The Ministry of Peace, which
concerned itself with war. The Ministry of Love,
which maintained law and order. And the
Ministry of Plenty, which was responsible for
economic affairs. Their names in newspeak:
Minitrue, Minipax, Miniluv, Miniplenty.”
(Orwell 6)
Speaker: Winston Smith
 There is great irony in the names of the ministries.
Generally, the name of the ministry is very deceptive, in
that they are responsible for the exact opposite of what
their title entails. The Ministry of Love is responsible for
monitoring, torture and arrest of anyone who even
minutely disobeys Big Brother. In the book, they speak of
long beatings, electric torture and emotional abuse. The
Ministry of Peace, only concerns itself with all things war
related. The Ministry of Truth, where Winston works, creates
lie upon lie in order to support Big Brother. Members of this
Ministry are prime examples of citizens blindly following the
teachings of The Party and Big Brother. Finally, the Ministry
of Plenty works to put rations and restrictions on goods;
which is the exact opposite of what the word plenty
means. By naming the ministries this way, Big Brother and
the party make the people of Oceania think that the
ministries are good, when in reality this is not the case.

“…Big Brother seemed to tower up, an
invincible, fearless protector, standing like
a rock against the hordes of Asia, and
Goldstein, in spite of his isolation, his
helplessness and the doubt that hung
about his very existence, seemed like some
sinister enchanter, capable by the mere
power of his voice of wrecking the
structure of civilisation”.
(Orwell 17)
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Speaker: Winston Smith
The entire doctrine of the party is based off the
party’s idolized hero and leader, Big Brother. This
name “Big Brother” gives the impression that this
leader is kind, caring and has the best interests of the
people in mind; much like a real older brother. What
is ironic is that in reality, Big Brothers rules cause more
hurt to the people of Oceania than it does help. They
are forbidden from forming a close bond or
relationship with anyone else; denying them a crucial
aspect of what it means to be human. Big Brother
creates a clear hierarchy; favouring a few individuals
over the majority. The fact that one of The Party’s
main goals is to eliminate familial love, makes the
name Big Brother even more ironic.