1984 By George Orwell is a novel that deals with figurative language extensively. 1984 was written in the mid-twentieth century, and 1984 is now considered a classic. The book is famous for its powerful portrayal of a grim totalitarian society as well as its insight on how to keep people under control by means of propaganda and disguising the truth. 1984 is a novel about totalitarianism, but it can also be interpreted as a warning against totalitarianism and what would happen if the world were to turn into such a society.
1984 is also famous for its insight of how to resist totalitarianism and keep people both mentally and physically free by means of memory and art (Benson). In 1984 by George Orwell, figurative language is used extensively. Through the use of metaphorical and other comparisons, Orwell helps create an image around the reader’s mind that gives them glimpses into Winston Smith’s world–the bleak future in which he lives. 1984 isn’t just one story; it is like three stories interwoven.
1984 has complex themes, complex characters, and is an overall difficult read. 984 can be very symbolic when it comes to understanding the novel in its entirety (Gale). Metaphors are used in 1984 by George Orwell quite often. For example, the part of 1984 when Winston Smith is standing in front of the Thinkpol shows how the Party uses language as a tool for control over society: “through an archway on his left… a large black rat walking delicately backward with his eyes fixed on them”. This metaphor uses imagery to give readers insight into what Smith sees in front of him; he’s standing in front of two government officers who are about to interrogate him.
By using this metaphor Orwell creates a sense of unease and foreboding (Benson). In 1984 by George Orwell, 1984 is used as a metaphor for the entire novel. 1984 is a utopia that was built on lies; 1984 is one big lie with agents to enforce it. Winston Smith works for the Ministry of Truth which changes all news to fit their needs. People in 1984 believe that 2+2=5 because they are told this information over and over again by the Party (Maltby 36). 1984 by George Orwell uses other types of figurative language to help illustrate what Winston Smith sees around him every day.
For example, “‘Do you realise that the past, starting from yesterday morning, has been actually abolished? ‘ 1984 shows that the past has been abolished by the Party because it can’t have any impact on what will happen next, so why should it be acknowledged. 1984 is done away with so there are no mistakes made by the Party” (Maltby 36). 1984 uses figurative language to help illustrate what is happening in Winston’s world. 1984 functions as a warning against totalitarianism and lies. 1984 enforces lies through its use of metaphors, similes, hyperboles, etc. , creating one big lie for readers to see clearly.
1984 is a 1984 dystopian novel by George Orwell. 1984 uses many instances of figurative language that enhances the imagery and tone of the work in an engaging manner. Imagery can be defined as words or phrases that invoke mental images in one’s head, allowing them to better understand what they are reading. One example is when Winston goes down to his landlord’s apartment for rent money each month: “[He] went down the stairs, stepping carefully between the piles of filthy matters. ” (Orwell 35).
This sentence not only tells us where Winston lives but also gives us an image of how terrible it must smell in his apartment due to its filthiness. Another example occurs when Winston recalls seeing Mr. Charrington’s shop for the first time: “It had three wooden pillars in front, painted black, and it was a miracle that they had not been splintered to matchwood by the barges which thumped into their day and night” (Orwell 14). This sentence tells us how busy Mr. Char- ringtones shop is despite its shabby appearance, but also provides an image of its location.
Image words are often used to make 1984 seem like a more horrific place than it already is. The word “abominations” might not seem very terrible on its own, but when coupled with 1984’s imagery and tone, we get a better sense of what Winston means when he says this: “The creatures — they were about four feet high — were dressed in thick brown cloth, quilted and belted in at the waist. Their faces were almost hidden by enormous hoods, stiffly conical out of what appeared to be shagreen. So also were their hands… ” (Orwell 20).
And when 1984 describes the government’s propensity for torture: “… the telescreen struck our hour… everybody must stay in his place and not move about… a hideous ecstasy of fear and vindictiveness, a desire to kill, to torture, to smash faces in with a sledgehammer… ” (Orwell 36). The tone of 1984 is often somber and serious throughout the book. Words such as “dark” and “desolation” give it more of a depressing tone. 1984 describes the Party’s rule in London by stating that, “the earth had belonged to the people who lived on it, they said, but it didn’t any longer” (Orwell 37).
1984 also uses irony throughout the book to reflect the many absurdities of 1984’s society. 1984’s climax is full of examples of ironic dialogue between Winston and O’Brien. One example occurs when O’Brien asks Winston if he would ever betray Julia no matter what: “Yes! Yes! ” I cried. “I betrayed you from the very moment I met you. ” [… ] Then why did you betray me? ” [Winston] mumbled. ‘Because of the … Because … ” (Orwell 162-164).
The word “betrayed” is significant because Winston has just decided that he wants to be loyal to Julia, but his fears of being tortured cause him to say otherwise. 984’s tone isn’t all dark and somber though. 1984 is also known for its use of black humor, which can be defined as “humor that treats serious or tragic matters in a satirical way”, such as 1984’s comical description of Inner Party members: “However strong or brutal the party member, there was always some other party member higher up who could step on him if necessary” (Orwell 34). 1984 uses figurative language throughout the book in order to engage readers with its imagery and tone, making it a memorable read.
1984 by George Orwell is full of examples of literary devices. 1984 is a story about a terrible future where the government may do whatever they want to you. Some important literary devices that are used in 1984 are symbolism, metaphors, personification, and imagery.
Symbolism in 1984 by George Orwell can be seen mainly through Winston’s dreams about O’Brien (page 87). The Party controls all thoughts and forces everyone to say what they want them to think. This can be shown on page 87 when O’Brien says “We control life” (Orwell 172). When Winton has this dream he perceives it as reality but it actually only happens in his head while he sleeps which relates back to the party controls everyone’s thoughts. This shows that 1984 uses symbolism in their book when Winston has this dream.
Winston sees himself being filmed with a telescreen behind him on page 230. This is important because the telescreen watches everything you do and would tell whoever’s watching if there was something wrong with what you were doing. 1984 obviously uses symbolism through these telescreens to show they are always being watched. When Winston sees himself on the screen it may represent paranoia of Big Brother knowing what he’s thinking or doing at all times.
