"The May Sunshine had made him feel dirty and etiolated, a creature indoors- the sooty dust of London in the pores of his skin" (Orwell, 125). Sensory appeal is a tactic often used by the author to evoke a particular image or emotion within the readers mind. Orwell's use of sensory appeal in Nineteen Eighty Four is an integral concept to understanding the contradiction in a seemingly utopian society. This is emphasized through references to the following senses: touch and smell. Touch is illustrated with the use of figurative devices such as parallel structure and contradiction. Smell is identified with examples of metaphors, complimented by imagery. Overall, the purpose of sensory language in the excerpt is to enhance visualization and awareness …show more content…
of the Party's manipulation over society. As a result, this is interpreted through the descriptive language used to articulate the sense of touch. Figurative devices, such as parallel structure, are used within the excerpt to create emphasis on the characteristic of touch.
This type of appeal plays a significant role in the literature, as it provokes the reader's interest and raises awareness of the reality that is living in a suppressed society. "The only evidence to the contrary was the mute protest in your own bones, the instinctive feeling that the conditions you lived in were intolerable." (Orwell, 76). Orwell clearly uses the sense of touch to illustrate a greater issue of denial faced by people aware of the Party's propaganda. Specifically, Winston's perception of life is represented by individuality and the struggle against his own morals in contrast to lies of the telescreens. This is further enhanced by the use of figurative devices and descriptive adjectives. "It struck him that the truly characteristic thing about life was not its cruelty and insecurity, but simply its bareness, its dinginess, its listlessness." (Orwell, 77). Orwell's use of parallel structure compliments the emotion of touch with emphasis on the message of life's simplicity. The language used depicts a utopia formed by Winston, where life is considered straightforward despite its present gloom. Thus, connection between touch and the usage of parallel structure provokes a sense of emotion in the reader, which allows them to relate to Winston's struggles. However, it also relates to the sense of smell- as an appeal to the physical living …show more content…
conditions in Oceania. Orwell uses the sense of smell in the excerpt to enhance the reality of living conditions faced by different classes.
The use of language creates an abundance of imagery which appeals to the reader's visualization and adds fluency to the literature. "The reality was decaying, dingy cities, where underfed people shuffled- in patched up nineteenth-century houses that smelt always of cabbage and bad lavatories."(Orwell, 77). Orwell provokes an image of London as a city in horrendous living conditions to the point of decay. In fact, the sense of smell is clearly forged to be a symbol of contrast to the Party's propaganda. Specifically, the use of metaphors articulates sensory appeal, and impacts the reader through change of Winston's values. "A world of steel and concrete, of monstrous machines and terrifying weapons- a nation of warriors and fanatics" (Orwell, 77). Comparison between the Party and of the technology provides an imaginative aspect which flows with the shift of emotions given by sensory language. However, even with the use of smell as a symbol for devastation, Orwell connects it multiple times, through moments of peaceful interaction. "He had got together a big bunch and was smelling the faint sickly smell- he went on picking bluebells" (Orwell, 124). Overall, the sensory appeal of smell is used to convey visualization of the conditions faced by people in Oceania. This refers back to sensory appeal as a method to enhance the book's theme of
contradiction. Orwell’s diction of sensory appeal is acknowledged as a significant element to the perception of society in Oceania. A combination of figurative devices along with appeal to the five senses provides eloquence to the pot. The use of touch reiterates a greater awareness to living conditions under a repressed government. Whereas, the use of smell provokes a better sense of imagery which appeals to the reader’s visualization. Not only does this make the literature more intriguing, but it enhances the message the author is trying to send to the audience. On a final thought, the inclusion of sensory language in Nineteen Eighty Four allows the reader to differentiate between conflict of a utopia and the paradox within it.
This itself alludes to America’s extreme response to communism during the Cold War era, under the influence of Senator Joe McCarthy. Similar to the paranoia that characterized the McCarthy era, Orwell’s dystopian society was expected to betray their friends, family and co-workers for the benefit of the state and themselves. This is made explicitly evident during Winston’s visit to the cafe, in which the telescreen sang; “Under the spreading chestnut tree/ I sold you and you sold me…”Foreshadowing Winston’s eventual betrayal of Maria in order to save himself, and his conformity to the party. Furthermore, the notion that “nothing was your own except the few cubic centimetres in your skull” becomes ironic as the novel develops in which the criminalisation of unorthodox ideologies leads to the punishment of “thoughtcrime”, and the eventual “vaporisation” of dissidents. This itself alludes to the ‘great purges’ that took place under the terror that characterized Joseph Stalin’s reign. Likewise, the inherent fear of eccentricity amongst the oppressed citizens of “Airstrip one” is highlighted by the nature of “facecrime” in which the presence of an improper expression or any suggestion of abnormality could be punished. Thus, through Orwell 's effective use of allusion and characterisation, contextual audiences are provided with a didactic warning regarding the nature of a totalitarian reign, in which a “hideous ecstasy of fear” influences society’s
I think that Orwell’s use of strong but subtle ethos and pathos arguments in his depictions of the world that Winston lives in is effective in convincing the reader against totalitarian governmental structures.
it has operatives all over keeping an eye out for cops or law enforcement, this
This example appeals to our sense of touch and smell, so the author is using tactile and olfactory imagery. Amir describing his father with these choice of words helps the readers imagine what it was like when his father would hold him and how he smelled. This is very important because later on in the novel Amir again describes his father when they are living in the United States. This time the description he gives about Babe is depressing. Babe is no longer this strong, full of life person instead Amir gives the readers a vivid description of a weak, depressing looking
This is an important example of the foolishness of writers that do not understand the metaphors, similes, and symbolic expressions to help the reader understand their ideas in the writing. I also agree that writers do not use words “precisely”, which can confuse the reader. Many writers are not fully aware of the meaning of the words they choose, which Orwell breaks down in the writings he is analyzing. Clarity in the writing process is conveyed with great accuracy by Orwell to make this second point.
It is difficult for them to hope to succeed in an area where so many of them have failed. The constant theme of betrayal in 1984 is being used by George Orwell to show how hopeless Winston’s struggle against the Totalitarian system is, giving the reader an idea of how bad this type of government is. The reader is introduced to this dark time and given hope in the form of the rebellious protagonist, Winston. However, the reader soon realises how hopelessly alone Winston is in his silent battle when they see that the government is against him, he has no support or allies, and that even his own mind can be turned against him. The message is clear and makes readers who live in a democracy happier with what they have.
George Orwell’s dystopian novel 1984 follows the psychological journey of main character Winston. Winston lives in a utopian society called Oceania. There, the citizens are constantly monitored by their government coined “Big Brother” or “The Party”. In Oceania, there is no form of individuality or privacy. Citizens are also coerced to believe everything and anything the government tells them, even if it contradicts reality and memory. The goal of Big Brother is to destroy individual loyalties and make its citizenry only loyal to the government. In Orwell's novel 1984, he uses Winston's psychological journey to stress the dangers of individuality in a totalitarian regime because it can result in death. Winston’s overwhelming desire to rebel
In the novel 1984, Orwell produced a social critique on totalitarianism and a future dystopia that made the world pause and think about our past, present and future. When reading this novel we all must take the time to think of the possibility that Orwell's world could come to pass. Orwell presents the concepts of power, marginalization, and resistance through physical, psychological, sexual and political control of the people of Oceania. The reader experiences the emotional ride through the eyes of Winston Smith, who was born into the oppressive life under the rule of Ingsoc. Readers are encouraged through Winston to adopt a negative opinion on the idea of communist rule and the inherent dangers of totalitarianism. The psychological manipulation and physical control are explored through Winston's journey, and with Winston's resistance and ultimate downfall, the reader is able to fully appreciate O'Briens reasoning, "Power is not a means, it is an end."
After having studied the placebo effect for our last paper, I was greatly intrigued by its' importance in understanding health and implications for the connection of mind and body. As I acknowledged in my previous paper, the placebo effect is often documented in a scientific study, yet is considered to be something not completely understood and therefore deemed unreliable by the medical community. However, what I found from my research was that there does seem to be an inherent reliability and could thus be a cornerstone for the concept for mind-body healing.
Magill, Frank N. Ed. “Nineteen Eighty-Four” Masterpieces of World Literature. New York NY: Harper Collins Publishers, 1989. 582-585. Orwell, George.
George Orwell’s horrifying novel entitled 1984 sets out what the end result of a totalitarian society may be. Orwell takes examples of inhumanity from past and existing totalitarian societies and shows the extremes that can be attained by the use of an all–embracing regime. Orwell accomplishes a sense of claustrophobia and inhumanity through a variety of literary techniques, his careful choice of language and by creating images in ones mind of this dull, intangible, sadistic world.
Orwell’s novel begins with a horrid description of the living conditions of his main character, Winston. He explains that the “hallway smelt of boiled cabbage and old rag mats” (Orwell 19) which immediately strikes the senses and repulses the reader. Upon deeper examination, this portion of the story is intended to generate feelings of distaste in the reader in order to get them pondering why Winston is in this situation rather than improving his conditions. As the reader continues on in the novel, they find that Winston has no option to better the environment he lives in and the strict government he is controlled by is to blame. Winston’s deteriorating home is only one example of the degeneration of his surroundings. His home city of London is decaying with “crazy garden walls sagging in all directions” (Orwell 23) and “rotting nineteenth-century houses” (Orwell 23). An article analyzing 1984 by Sean Lynch better describes Winston’s view of London as “dark and isolating”. This devastated city creates a mind-numbing sensation in its population because there is no one that finds beauty in where they live or even a trace of...
Orwell’s writing showed he practiced what he preached. His use of metaphors created a picture in the reader’s mind. His essay stated clearly and concisely what is wrong with English writers and what is needed to be done to repair it.
Thinking back into history, many important events have occurred in history since the publication of 1984 by George Orwell in 1949. In no specific order there would be the Holocaust, The creation of the United Nations, NATO (North Atlantic treaty Organization), and even The Iron Curtain being established. After 1984 was published huge events also occurred in history. There was the Cuban Missile Crisis, the Korean war, the Vietnam War, the creation of the Berlin Wall, and the destruction of the Berlin wall, Joseph Stalin dies, and Khrushchev gains power....etc, etc. No matter when a book is published the events in history will always surround it, such as this book.
"George Orwell." British Writers. Scott-Kilvert, Ian, ed. Vol. VII. New York, NY: Charles Scribner's Sons, 1984. 273-88. Print.