1984: The Watchful Eyes of Big Brother
The Watchful Eyes of Big Brother
In George Orwell’s novel “1984” Oceania is under complete control of Big Brother. The population lacks any characteristics of individualism and has no freedom in their thought or actions because they are so closely monitored by Big Brother. There are many techniques used to control the people of Oceania, such as propaganda and memory hole. The one in which seems to be the most effective is the placement of telescreens on every street, in every house and building, which are used to watch each persons every move and to deliver information to the citizens. The Party uses this tool as a way to be able to identify the supporters of the Party and the ones who are trying to rebel in some form from what Big Brother wishes. These telescreens can catch anyone acting against the Party and there are very few places to go that are free of telescreens. They may be a invasion of privacy, but they do successfully monitor everyone and make sure there are no “wrong doers” in Big Brothers eyes.
The most obvious purpose of the telescreen is to watch the citizens of Oceania. On all the posters it says “Big Brother is watching you” and with these telescreens, he really is. There are hardly any places found in this society that are free of telescreens, which means that there is nowhere to escape to in which your every move is not being monitored by the Party. In Winston’s case they watch him and Julia by the telescreen in Mr. Charrington’s room that they are unaware of, witnessing they’re rebellious acts against the Party such as sleeping together. These screens can not only see rebellious acts but can also detect any signs of emotional rebellion by watching people’s facial expressions. It’s really simple technology but at the level that Big Brother uses it, shows to be very effective.
Big Brother utilizes this technology not only to watch the population but also to deliver messages. They show up on every telescreen to announce changes in
In George Orwell’s novel “1984” Oceania is under complete control of Big Brother. The population lacks any characteristics of individualism and has no freedom in their thought or actions because they are so closely monitored by Big Brother. There are many techniques used to control the people of Oceania, such as propaganda and memory hole. The one in which seems to be the most effective is the placement of telescreens on every street, in every house and building, which are used to watch each persons every move and to deliver information to the citizens. The Party uses this tool as a way to be able to identify the supporters of the Party and the ones who are trying to rebel in some form from what Big Brother wishes. These telescreens can catch anyone acting against the Party and there are very few places to go that are free of telescreens. They may be a invasion of privacy, but they do successfully monitor everyone and make sure there are no “wrong doers” in Big Brothers eyes.
The most obvious purpose of the telescreen is to watch the citizens of Oceania. On all the posters it says “Big Brother is watching you” and with these telescreens, he really is. There are hardly any places found in this society that are free of telescreens, which means that there is nowhere to escape to in which your every move is not being monitored by the Party. In Winston’s case they watch him and Julia by the telescreen in Mr. Charrington’s room that they are unaware of, witnessing they’re rebellious acts against the Party such as sleeping together. These screens can not only see rebellious acts but can also detect any signs of emotional rebellion by watching people’s facial expressions. It’s really simple technology but at the level that Big Brother uses it, shows to be very effective.
Big Brother utilizes this technology not only to watch the population but also to deliver messages. They show up on every telescreen to announce changes in
Cited: Orwell, James. Nineteen Eighty-Four. Fairfield, IA : 1st World Library, 2004