1984 Quotes Power

1984 Quotes Power

1. "The black mustachioed face gazed down from every commanding corner. There was one on the house-front immediately opposite. BIG BROTHER IS WATCHING YOU, the caption said, while the dark eyes looked deep into Winston's own. (1.1.4)

   • A totalitarian power seeks to exert influence over its constituents by conveying the message that it is omnipresent, omnipotent and omniscient. Ubiquitously posting awe-inspiring posters is one such means to this end.

2. "Winston kept his back turned to the telescreen. It was safer, though, as he well knew, even a back can be revealing." (1.1.6)

   • Fear runs so deep in Winston that he fancies that, by turning his back on a telescreen, his rebellious spirit may be sniffed out.

3. "From where Winston stood it was just about possible to read, picked out on its white face in elegant lettering, the three slogans of the party: WAR IS PEACE FREEDOM IS SLAVERY IGNORANCE IS STRENGTH (1.1.7)

   • Another method by which a totalitarian power seeks to exert influence over its constituents is to place reminders of its slogans and doctrines everywhere.

4. "It was a noise that set one's teeth on edge and bristled the hair at the back of one's neck. The Hate had started. As usual, the face of Emmanuel Goldstein, the Enemy of the People, had flashed onto the telescreen. (1.1.25-26)

   • The Party's modus operandi in maintaining power is to shift blame to a designated scapegoat, toward which all of its constituents' hatred and violence may be directed. Their favourite scapegoat is up today - Emmanuel Goldenstein.