Safe Places In 1984 By George Orwell

1303 Words3 Pages

Everyone has a refuge where they feel free. A place where they can relax,let all of their troubles from the world flow away and for a brief moment each day, truly be themselves. These refuges or safe places come in all kinds of shapes and forms, mostly physical places, like rooms. In 1984 by George Orwell, the room above Mr. Charrington’s shop is seen as a major, plot impacting setting for the story and its’ characters, specifically Protagonist Winston. The room progresses along with Winston in the story and becomes a main factor in his battle for freedom from the party. Throughout 1984, Orwell develops the room above Mr. Charrington's shop to show its’ significance for Winston and highlight the true meaning of the story for the reader. Orwell …show more content…

He got the girl and he is free from party eyes. The reader is content with what has happened in Orwell’s story. However, Orwell proceeds to remind the reader of the true nature of Oceania. “The picture had fallen to the floor , uncovering the telescreen behind it” (Orwell.222). Orwell completely ups the ante, flips the script, and changes the game when he reveals the secret behind Charrington’s upper room, it holds a telescreen and Charrington is a thoughtpolice agent. ”It occurred to Winston that for the first time in his life he was looking, with acknowledge, at a member of the thought police” (Orwell.224). Winston rented the room that he was going to use to rebel against the party from a thought police agent. He had absolutely zero chance from the very beginning. Charrington yells, “And by the way, while we are on the subject, Here comes a candle to light you to bed, here comes a chopper to chop off your head” (224)! Charrington speaks the words that make Winston’s heart stop, referencing a song that had been sung previously in the story. The ending of the song represents the current situation, the thought police have come to get Winston. Suddenly, Winston and Julia have been found out and are captured and tortured by the party. All of the rebellious nature is taken out of Winston and he becomes a loyal party member. Orwell throws the ultimate curveball, which completely changes the reader's thinking, making the reader realize that the room was never safe from the very beginning, and that gaining freedom in Oceania is a hopeless endeavor. Orwell’s true message is that the party always wins, there is no hope. The reader feels all of the evil and tyranny the party invokes and how far they will go to insure that their laws are enforced, their dominance is asserted, and their fear is felt. The room served

Open Document